Honeyky Hanukah

PreS-Gr 2—A whimsical spread accompanies each of the seven verses of Guthrie's song in this celebration featuring a curly-haired youngster who, with his enthusiastic dog, happily devours Bubbie's fresh-baked treats and then proceeds to play guitar on an urban stoop and sing the praises of Hanukkah. Mention is made of the candles burning for a week, but though repeatedly pictured, the menorah is never named in the text. Nor is the dreidel, shown spinning as a pig-tailed girl romps with the dog while another boy discovers a present. In following pages, the children parade (with dog in tow) to deliver presents to Mom and Dad, share hugs, expand on the music-making, and dance a rooftop hora with Bubbie and Zayde. The construction paper, charcoal, and colored-pencil illustrations capture the spirit conveyed by Guthrie's exuberant musings. Background on the musician and the impetus for his Jewish songs are appended. A CD of the Klezmatics performing a rousing version of the song is included.—Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library