Zigazak!: A Magical Hanukkah Night

PreS-Gr 2 When a pair of gleefully naughty devils creates havoc in the small town of Brisk at Hanukkah, the terrified townspeople all run to the rabbi's house for help. Far from being afraid, he is charmed and amused by the dancing dreidels, flying latkes, and exploding candles that the devils have concocted. After tricking them into giving the town Hanukkah gelt, the rabbi persuades them to turn themselves into cockroaches, which he then steps on. They disappear instead of being satisfyingly smooshed, but that's the only disappointment in this rollicking tale. The brevity of the breezy text and expressive humor of the illustrations make this a fine choice for Hanukkah storytimes.--E. M.

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In the most imaginative Hanukkah book this season, Kimmel (Gershon's Monster) peoples an old-world town with mischievous demons, easily alarmed villagers and a wise and crafty rabbi. The brio of the storytelling doesn't shy from a moral: "Sparks of goodness exist in all things, even in devils' tricks." Goodell (Mice Are Nice) portrays the demons as ugly monsters, the goofy gleam in their eyes only partially dampening their scariness, and his humans are mildly grotesque. A dark palette adds to the shiver-inducing effect. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Copyright 2001 Publishers Weekly, Used with permission.