August 28, 2023
With this counting board book, Silberberg, a regular bard of Jewish holiday foods, introduces a potato pancake protagonist who, night by night, hosts a humdinger of a Hanukkah. In brightly colored, genially goofy cartoons, Applesauce and Sour Cream get into a second-night fight over which is the best topping (“Oy,” says Latke, rolling its eyes). On the third night, the arrival of spinning dreidels dizzies the protagonist. And on the seventh night, the presents get into a wrestling match. But these antics are minor hosting hiccups when compared to the warm glow of the menorah—which moves to various sites in Latke’s house as each candle is lighted—and the joy of being surrounded by rambunctious friends, many of whom take the form of favorite Jewish treats (“Babka! Challah! Bagel!”). Ages up to 3.
September 1, 2023
Toddler-PreS-Silberberg's latkes return in this simple Hanukkah counting book that will work best for families already familiar with the holiday. The text consists of one sentence per spread. Each sentence mentions a night of Hanukkah, depicting the lit menorah as well as the corresponding number of whatever is being mentioned, all personified: one Latke, two toppings, three dreidels, four sufganiyot, and so on. "On the 1st night of Hanukkah, Latke lights the menorah." "On the 3rd night of Hanukkah, the dreidels drop by, dizzy." The final spread has all the personified items depicted, with nothing corresponding to the number eight, other than the lit candles. There is no explanation of the significance of any of the items, making it completely obscure to those unfamiliar with the holiday. Illustrations are brightly colored and cartoon-style; backgrounds are done in bright, saturated colors, and the characters are all depicted with heavy outlines, huge round-pupil eyes, and sticklike lines for arms and legs. The menorah is filled with bright, candy-colored candles topped with glowing flames. Jewish schools and libraries, as well as public libraries with large Jewish clientele, will find this a pleasant enough addition for their youngest patrons. It won't make sense to the uninitiated. VERDICT Buy where Silberberg's other titles are popular or Hanukkah board books are in high demand. Others can pass.-Amy Lilien-Harper
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2023
In this eight-nights-of-Hanukkah counting book, Silberberg (Meet the Latkes, rev. 11/18) simplifies his signature absurdity for the board book set. Latkes celebrate and count with anthropomorphized applesauce, which argues with the sour cream; dreidels who "drop by, dizzy"; and sufganiyot who are "full of joy (and jelly)." Illustrations are bold and color-saturated (one includes dreidel letters out of order). Loose-lined latkes' expressive eyes show them as variously rapt or overwhelmed by it all. An intro to Hanukkah that's sure to grab the attention of small...fry. Shoshana Flax
(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)