cover image The Littlest Levine

The Littlest Levine

Sandy Lanton, illus. by Claire Keay. Kar-Ben, $17.95 (24p) ISBN 978-0-7613-9045-9

Hannah hates the feeling of dependency that comes from being the smallest and youngest member of her family: she can’t decorate the sukkah, light the Hanukkah candles, or even put the Purim hamentashen in the oven without help from an adult. But Grandpa knows that there’s one part of the seder that no one else can do (“Don’t worry,” he tells her. “Soon you’ll be glad to be the littlest Levine”). With nightly tutoring, which becomes a beloved ritual for Hannah, Grandpa makes sure that his granddaughter shines when it comes to the most important job for the youngest seder participant: singing the Four Questions. Sunny cartooning from Keay (I Love You All Year Long) and Lanton’s (Lots of Latkes) light narrative touch make this story of diligence, identity (both familial and religious), and intergenerational love stand out. Ages 3–8. Illustrator’s agent: Advocate Art. (Feb.)