Chanukah Fever CD by Mama Doni
November 2009
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Mama Doni has done it again with a playful collection of Chanukah songs that will have the kids playing air menorah. Mama Doni, whom I like to refer to as “D Jew Jazzy Mensch” (if I have to explain the reference to DJ Jazzy Jeff, you may be too young!) raps, rhymes, rocks and riffs with original lyrics about the applesauce v. sour cream dilemma (oy! the humanity!), the dilemma of a dusty, disregarded dreidel and a rapper’s redux called Funky Gold Menorah.

I have to say that I think Mama Doni is the reason that, when my daughter went to a friend’s Easter egg hunt and found a colorful spinning top, she yelled out, “Mom!!! I got a dreidel!”

Let There Be Peace on Earth: And Let It Begin with Me by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller
Tricycle Press - September 2009
All ages
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
It’s hard to believe that this lovely song about peace all started at a high school retreat in 1955 and has since spread throughout the world as an anthem for peace, love and understanding. Brilliantly and beautifully illustrated, this is a perfect introduction to the concept of peace for young children or a reminder to ourselves how important peace is. This book comes with a 12-song CD with the title’s classic song.

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God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Candlewick Press, 2008

Recommended readers:  ages 3-6

Cautions:  all clear

Kiwi Magazine Review

What does God dream about?  God dreams about people sharing, people caring and reaching out to hold one another’s hands.  This book isn’t specific to one holiday or one religion, but it would make a lovely gift to young and old to remind us all that everyone is equal, everyone is special and we should savor the time we spend with our brothers and sisters, discovering the similarities and enjoying the differences. LeUyen Pham’s childlike illustrations perfectly accompany the text.

Publisher’s Description:

With warmth and humor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu distills his philosophy of unity and forgiveness into a picture book for the very young.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has a vision of God’s dream, which he shares here with the youngest of listeners. It involves people who reach out and hold each other’s hands, but sometimes get angry and hurt each other — and say they’re sorry and forgive. It’s a wish that everyone will see they are brothers and sisters, no matter their way of speaking to God, no matter the size of their nose or the shade of their skin. Aided by vibrant artwork evoking such images as a rainbow and a sharing circle, Tutu offers the essence of his ubuntu philosophy, a wisdom so clear and crystalline that even the smallest child can understand.

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Celebrate Green by Corey Colwell- Lipson and Lynn Colwell

Kedzie Press, 2008

Recommended readers- Adults

Cautions:

Publisher’s description:

Not only is this book bursting with tips and ideas for celebrating green, but it boasts recipes, craft projects, and actual facts! Yes! If you’re interested in the “why’s” behind their alternatives, you’ll find them. If you only want to figure out what the heck to get your mother-in-law for Christmas that will make her sing your praises to her son without costing you or the planet, it’s there too.

Celebrate Green! is sprinkled with personal anecdotes because, as amazing as it may seem, Corey and Lynn are real, live human beings. You get to meet, know and (hopefully) enjoy them through the book. And once you know them, you’ll begin to fall for their ideas even if you’re a bit skeptical at first. They don’t hit you over the head and make you feel like a complete eco-idiot for not jumping on your bicycle, and heading to the food co-op to stock up on a year’s worth of beeswax birthday candles. They simply offer you so many sensible, interesting, and creative ideas that you’ll find it hard to resist trying some of them.

KIWI Bookworm review:

The mother and daughter team offer a myriad of suggestions to green holiday décor, gifts and meals throughout the year. Instead of falling into old habits of mall dash then trash, the authors offer unique, low-impact ideas for every special occasion wrapped up in recycled paper and a repurposed bow.

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Go and get your free download of this I Love Chanukah by Mama Doni (CD) available at http://www.mamadoni.com/ now through the end of December.

And WIN I Love Herring by visiting www.mamadoni.com and then commenting here on which song title is your favorite from her album.

Description

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The Everything Kids’ Hanukkah Puzzle & Activity Book
Games, crafts, trivia, songs, and traditions to celebrate the festival of lights!

Kids love holidays, especially Hanukkah, which is celebrated for eight dazzling nights. From the lighting of the menorah to the blessings and all the tradition in between, kids are mesmerized by the magic of this celebration. With this book, kids will enjoy more than 100 puzzles and activities about: the history of Hanukkah from its roots more than 2,000 years ago; the meaning behind the various rituals, traditions, and prayers; why certain foods are eaten during Hanukkah; Hanukkah crafts, decorations, and gifts they can make; and more! Kids will enjoy watching this fun-filled puzzle and activity book unfold, as each chapter opens with one more candle lit on the menorah. With this book by their side, kids are sure to become dreidle-spinning masters in no time!(144 Pages)

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Hanukkah Haiku by Harriet Ziefert, Paintings by Karla Gudeon

Blue Apple Books, 2008

Recommended readers – ages 4-8

Cautions: none

Publisher’s Synopsis

Hanukkah Haiku — Here’s a cultural crossover that pays off: a traditionally Japanese poetic form used to celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah. There’s one haiku for each night, and stepped pages add one candle to the menorah every time the page is turned. The simple poetry is set off perfectly by Karla Gudeon’s vibrant, freewheeling artwork. A perfect gift, or good to reread each year, Hanukkah Haiku is a jubilant, unforgettable journey through the eight nights of Hanukkah.


Harriet Ziefert has vivid childhood memories of lighting the Hanukkah candles with her maternal grandfather, who always took her hand in his as he held the Shammash.

Kiwi Bookworms Review:

This is one of the loveliest books you will read. Harriet Ziefert is a prolific children’s author who has teamed up with Karla Gudeon, who illustrates the text in colorful, festive tones. Celebrate Hanukkah as each candle in the menorah is lit. The end of the book provides the English and Hebrew blessings, as well as some background on the tradition of menorah lighting. This will be a hands-down favorite on your bookshelf.

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It’s Hanukkah by Santiago Cohen (Board Book)

Blue Apple Books, 2006

Recommended for ages 0-4

Cautions:  All clear

Product Description

In a palette that radiates the warmth and glow of the menorah’s candlelight, Santiago Cohen walks young readers through the pleasures and traditions of this most cherished holiday. The text, based on a Hebrew children’s song, serves as a counting book as well as a celebration of ritual and family. The traditions of Hanukkah unfold, one night at a time, until the eighth and last night, when all the candles are illuminated.

Kiwi Magazine Review

Watch each candle light on each page as Santiago Cohen simply illustrates this Hebrew children’s song. Children will delight in watching the menorah fill with gently glowing light as they learn why Hanukkah is celebrated.

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Scholastic’s Night Before Christmas DVD w Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and other stories, too!

Recommended for everyone

Cautions: None

Product Description
Collect the entire library of Scholastic Storybook Treasures and read along on screen with your favorite classic children s stories, brought vividly to life on DVD.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (By Clement Clark Moore, Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, Narrated by Anthony Edwards) The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and soon St. Nicholas will be there.

IN THE MONTH OF KISLEY (By Nina Jaffe, Illustratred by Louise August, Narrated by Theodore Bikel) A wealthy, arrogant merchant learns the true meaning of Hanukkah when he takes the family of a poor peddler to court for savoring the smell of his family’s potato pancakes.

SEVEN CANDLES FOR KWANZAA (By Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney, Narrated by Alfre Woodard) This unique holiday commemorates the strength of family ties, respect for ancestors, commitment to the growth of community, and gratitude for life’s bounties.

TOO MANY TAMALES (By Gary Soto, Illustrated by Ed Martinez, Narrated by Blancha Camacho) Maria feels very grown-up helping make Christmas dinner, until she realizes that she may have lost her mother s ring in one of the tamales!

3 BONUS STORIES!
MAX S CHRISTMAS (Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells, Narrated by Jenny Agutter & Rex Robbins) Max is told that he can’t stay up to see Santa, but he sneaks down anyway. Will Santa still come if Max is awake?

MORRIS S DISAPPEARING BAG (Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells) Morris thinks his brother and sisters have better Christmas presents. But inside the last box under the tree he finds a magical gift that makes all his troubles disappear.

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY (By Katherine Davis, Henry Oronati & Harry Simeone, Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, Narrated by John Jennings) Joyful drumming and glowing illustrations combine to celebrate the nativity.

DVD Features: Spanish Version of Too Many Tamales

Kiwi Magazine Review

Thank you, Scholastic, for making a DVD that is truly for everyone.  No matter what your belief, there is something for everyone on this DVD from Christmas with Santa, to Kwanzaa, to Hanukkah, to Drummer Boy (the story of the Nativity).  There are 7 stories in this DVD and each one is special and incredibly well done.  An instant favorite.

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