FOUR SIDES, EIGHT NIGHTS

A group of six children introduces Hanukkah by each stating his or her favorite part or activity for the celebration. They progress to the detailed, intriguing facts and legends recounting the historical reason for the holiday’s recognition, the origins of the dreidel game, the varieties of materials used to make one and how the rules of play evolved over generations. Most interesting are two stories of women heroines, not readily known: Judith and a mother and daughter team both named Hannah, who were responsible in their own clever and respective ways for outsmarting the Syrian General Holophernes and encouraging the Maccabees to fight their first battle for religious freedom. In addition, a section on “Sevivon [“dreidel” in Hebrew] Science” is included, explaining the game’s odds within the laws of probability as well as Newton’s law of inertia that allows the spinning top to stay in motion. Filled with side snippets of related facts and explanations, this is one of the most complete and cleverly written books on the winter holiday. Black-and-white sketches of the children providing informative clues as well as drawings of historical scenes round out this well-designed and entertainingly interesting little book. Great for families to share and read aloud. (Nonfiction. 6-10)