Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Hanukkah Mice
Illustrator: Michelle Shapiro
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 8
Marshall Cavendish Children's Books, 2008 ISBN: 978-0761454281
It is the first day of Hanukkah and the mouse family comes upstairs to watch the festivities in the Silman household. They see the first Hanukkah candle being lit, and then they watch as the little girl in the house, Rachel, opens her first Hanukah gift.
The gift is beautiful dolls house, and after Rachel has gone to bed the mice come out of hiding to explore the lovely little home. The house is quite perfect in every respect by one. The house has no furniture.
Thankfully Rachel's parents have thought of this, and on the Hanukkah nights that follow, Rachel is given furniture for her little house. The mice are delighted, and they are also surprised when special little mouse sized things, such as a meal of latkes, also start to appear. Where are these things coming from?
In this simple yet charming picture book the author not only looks at traditional Hanukkah traditions from a very different point of view, but he also highlights one of the things that makes Hanukkah a joy: it is time when we should share with others – just as Rachel shares her celebration with her little doll house visitors.
