The Light from My Menorah
Celebrating Holidays around the World
by Robin Heald
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date Sep 10 2024 | Archive Date Sep 23 2024
Publisher Spotlight | Pajama Press
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Description
The light from a menorah takes a young boy on a fantastical journey around the world to experience different festivals of light, and the people who celebrate them.
Nothing brings communities together like the warm glow of a lamp or candle flame, illuminating people and the stories they tell. In The Light from My Menorah, a young boy celebrating Hannukah follows his menorah’s light as it twists and turns in the night sky, carrying him to mountains, deserts, and even into space. On his journey he sees families from around the world sharing food and togetherness as they celebrate their own special holidays, lighting diya for Diwali, kinara for Kwanzaa, crowns of candles for St. Lucia Day, krathongs for Loy Krathong, and strings of lights for Christmas.
Illustrator Andrea Blinick’s luminous mixed-media art creates a dazzling world filled with sparkling light and warmth, while Robin Heald’s beautiful free-verse text evokes the quiet wonder of a holiday night. An author’s note offers further information about Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, and Loy Krathong.
“The Light From My Menorah, is a new book by Robin Heald, which lyrically emphasizes not only the light of her menorah, but how our world is filled with light, traveling from day into night and back again…as well as into the worship or celebration of other religions and countries.”—Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon, the How Do Dinosaur picture books, and 400+ other books
Advance Praise
" Emphasizing hope, beauty, and unity, this quietly powerful story demonstrates that people honor traditions in unique ways, while all are recognizing comfort and love as symbolized by light."-School Library Journal (Sept)
"A shining paean to winter traditions around the globe." - Kirkus Reviews (7/15/24)
"Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, and Loy Krathong...are portrayed broadly in the work. A glimmering stream appears throughout Blinick's layered digital artwork."--Publishers Weekly (7/29/24)
Featured Reviews
Marcia P, Reviewer
A delight to look at, A Light For My Menorah dazzles with such beautiful brightly colored illustrations that eye candy is the phrase that sums it up for me. The story, itself, is about light and how and where it might come from or travel to in terms of a winter holiday season., as a young boy goes along. on this journey This lovely book is not a in depth look at the lights of Hanukkah. Nor is it a story written to foster an understanding of the Jewish miracle of a small amount oil that lasted for eight days. Instead it focuses on the commonality of light in various seasonal religious holidays This book is perfect to engage young children in a discussion of how lights are used in celebrations around the world. Many thanks to Spotlight Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my review. Publication date is September 10, 2024. Parents, teachers and librarians will want to see this book.
Educator 253159
I love the premise of this story. It's important for children to learn about other cultures and holidays around the world. The author does a great job of including illustrations depicting these, and goes on to explain that in the Author's Note, but I was disappointed to see that this information was not included in the actual story itself. The author missed an opportunity for natural conversation to develop as children look at the picture and hear about the related holiday, as opposed to just having the text at the back.
Kara R, Reviewer
The Light from my Menorah, Celebrating Holidays Around the World by Robin Heald and Andrea Blinck is a children's book about a boy being taken around the world via the light from his menorah. In his travels, he visits different holiday festivals.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book. I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
I think it's important for children to learn about other holidays around the world in a fun way. However, I expected a little more description during the actual story to correspond with the illustrations instead of it being included in the author's note. I feel like the adults will have to explain the point of the book to children. With that being said, the writing was absolutely beautiful, and the illustrations are fantastic.
Four out of five stars is what I gave The Light from my Menorah, Celebrating Holidays Around the World by Robin Heald and Andrea Blinck for taking the initiative to make children more educated about other holidays.
Suzy C, Librarian
I liked the look at different religions during the holidays and how they all exert light into the world.
I liked the explanation of the different holidays and how light can represent miracles.
Will be a great addition to collections for the holidays.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.
Sara A, Reviewer
Loved this book that showcases different festivals of light that bring communities together. Focuses and starts with Hanukkah but goes on to explore Diwali, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, Loy Krathong & Christmas.
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