A Dragon for Hanukkah

by Sarah Mlynowski (Author) Ariel Landy (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

Get ready for the most magical holiday ever, with this dazzling picture book debut from New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski that Laura Numeroff, #1 bestselling author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, called a "delightful, brightly colored celebration of Hanukkah." Destined to be a new holiday classic!

On the first night of Hanukkah, my parents gave me a dragon...

So begins Hannah's holiday adventure, as she receives eight magical presents -- one for each night. There's a playful dragon, a gleaming treasure chest, a time travel machine, some rowdy unicorns... and much more. But are the gifts what they seem to be? When Hannah gathers with family and friends to light the menorah, play dreidel, and eat delicious latkes, she'll discover the true magic of the Festival of Lights.

Written with sparkling wit and wisdom by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski (Whatever After; Upside-Down Magic), and illustrated with vivid, enchanting art by Ariel Landy, this inventive story celebrates both Hanukkah and the power of a child's imagination.

Includes fun, accessible backmatter that defines key Hanukkah terms!

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Publishers Weekly

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. (Sept.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

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.

Kirkus

An appealing and magical celebration of the Festival of Lights. 

Review quotes

Praise for A Dragon for Hanukkah:

"A smile on every page. This is the most joyful Hanukkah picture book I have ever read." — Emily Jenkins, author of the Sydney Taylor Award-winning All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

"I love, loved this book! A Dragon for Hanukkah is a magical celebration of family, friends, and the gifts of imagination, with a lovely surprise twist." — Alan Silberberg, author of Meet the Latkes

"The joyful Jewish book we all need. A wonderful blend of Jewish celebration, values, fantasy, with a sprinkle of history on top!" — Liz Kleinrock, co-author of Eyes That Weave The World's Wonders

"This delightful, brightly colored celebration of Hanukkah will bring joy to kids during the holiday. There are so many fun elements like unicorns, a rainbow, and even a merry-go-round. And there's a lovable dragon named Nerry! Not your everyday fare found in any other picture books about Hanukkah. A great book for any child celebrating the eight days of this important Jewish holiday." — Laura Numeroff, #1 New York Times bestselling author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Sarah Mlynowski
Sarah Mlynowski is the New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series, the Magic in Manhattan series, Best Wishes, Gimme a Call, and a bunch of other books for teens and tweens, including the Upside-Down Magic series, which she cowrites with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins and which was adapted into a movie for the Disney Channel. Originally from Montreal, Sarah now lives in Los Angeles with her family. Visit Sarah online at sarahm.com and find her on Instagram, Facebook, and X at @sarahmlynowski.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781338897524
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Orchard Books
Publication date
September 03, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV033020 - Juvenile Fiction | Religious | Jewish
JUV017110 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Hanukkah
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Magic
Gifts
Hanukkah
Hanukkah stories
Jewish families
Hanukkah fiction

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