A Dragon for Hanukkah

July 29, 2024
In this imaginative holiday adventure, bright-eyed Hannah details the magical gifts given by loved ones on successive nights of Hanukkah. After “my parents gave me a dragon” on Hanukkah’s first night (“I named him Nerry and let him sleep on my pillow”), the presents include a rainbow, a spilling-over treasure chest, a merry-go-round, a time machine to meet the Maccabees, a passel of unicorns, and more. Landy’s fanciful illustrations depict Hannah’s adventures (and occasional wrangling: “The baby unicorn was not a good listener”) with lively cartooning and plenty of swirls and sparkles. However powerful the gifts—which turn into less fanciful objects as Hannah tidies up—what makes the eighth night “the most magical” is gathering toys for donation and celebrating with guests. Back matter offers more about Hanukkah celebrations. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8.

August 15, 2024
A child describes a series of gifts given by family and friends for Hanukkah. The first is from young Hannah's parents: a dragon named Nerry. Hannah details the presents received on the next nights of Hanukkah: a rainbow that "[spills] down the stairs," a treasure chest filled with gold coins, a merry-go-round, a time machine that takes Hannah back to the ancient days of the Maccabees, a pair of "rocket boots," and three boisterous unicorns. On the eighth and final night, it's Hannah's turn to give gifts; the child is preparing a "tasty treat." Readers also discover that Hannah has been describing the presents very inventively. Nerry the dragon's actually a stuffed animal; the rainbow's a multicolored drawing; the treasure chest is an assortment of chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil. Hannah's gift to others? A large batch of latkes. Hannah shares them with family and friends at a festive holiday dinner, "which makes this last night, / the eighth night, / the most magical night... // of Hanukkah." Kids will enjoy this simple, inviting reminder that the holiday is about warmth and togetherness. The dynamic, colorful illustrations are full of imaginative imagery and present familiar holiday symbols, including menorahs (Nerry lights the candles by breathing fire in one scene), stars of David, dreidels, and jelly doughnuts. Hannah's family is pale-skinned; the dinner guests are racially and ethnically diverse. An appealing and magical celebration of the Festival of Lights. (more information about Hanukkah)(Picture book. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from September 1, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-It's Hanukkah, and that means a special gift every night for eight nights. Hannah, a young girl with tan skin and brown hair, gets gifts from her parents, Bubbie, brother, other family members, and friends. As Hannah opens her gifts each night, readers are taken on an extraordinary adventure down a rainbow path, onto a merry-go-round, and even through a time machine to meet the Maccabees from 10,000 years ago. When it is finally time for dinner on the eighth night, readers unwrap Hannah's mystical journey as she cleans up her bedroom where she has been playing. The last two pages provide information on Hanukkah through Hannah in conversation with the dragon. Mlynowski presents a story that will bring smiles to readers' faces as they feel the immense joy on every page with Hannah taking them through her magical world. VERDICT A heartwarming story celebrating Hanukkah that is both cheerful and informational.-Kelly Richards

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2024
The young narrator receives a dragon the first night of Hanukkah, a rainbow the second night...a time-travel machine to visit the Maccabees on the fifth night. It's all fanciful, but with holiday details woven into the text and winsome illustrations. The dragon's name is Nerry (ner is Hebrew for candle); the horses on a gifted merry-go-round sport dreidel letters on their saddles. Finally, it's time to clean up for the eighth night, "the most magical night" in this child's home because family and friends come for a holiday feast. Engaging back matter is framed as a cartoon discussion about Hanukkah. Shoshana Flax

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2024
The young narrator receives a dragon the first night of Hanukkah, a rainbow the second night...a time-travel machine to visit the Maccabees on the fifth night. It's all fanciful, but with holiday details woven into the text and winsome illustrations. The dragon's name is Nerry (ner is Hebrew for candle); the horses on a gifted merry-go-round sport dreidel letters on their saddles. Finally, it's time to clean up for the eighth night, "the most magical night" in this child's home because family and friends come for a holiday feast. Engaging back matter is framed as a cartoon discussion about Hanukkah.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)