cover image My First Chanukah

My First Chanukah

Tomie dePaola. Putnam Publishing Group, $5.95 (14pp) ISBN 978-0-399-21780-7

With simple text and clear cheerful illustrations, dePaola has created a board-book introduction to Chanukah. The opening spread depicts an inviting primary landscape, with menorahs glowing in a window of each house. Following pages identify the traditional holiday accompaniments, such as the dreidel and latkes--complete with applesauce and sour cream. The progression of lighting the menorah is explained briefly, and the book closes with a nice sense of continuity for youngsters: ``We will celebrate Chanukah again next year.'' The book's tone is geared to a very young audience, which provides parents with a good opportunity to elaborate on the story each year. Ages 1-5. (Nov.)