CBR15Passport author
The cover of Hanukkah Upside Down was what first caught my eye. The character at the top is upside down. Or is the one on the bottom? After all, she (the top of page) is right side up on her side of things. But then again, the boy at the bottom thinks things are right on his side, too. This clever book about two cousins in different countries (one New York, USA and the other in New Zealand) shows how “the better cousin” wins Hanukkah. Because one of their celebrations has to be better: winter Hanukkah or summer Hanukkah. After all you cannot have the holiday without…. Name the difference. But though the two have different traditions, at the same time they learn how they both have a lot more in common than they thought. This is a fun story about celebrations and family, even if your family is really, really distant. Like other side of the world distant!
Author Elissa Brent Weissman and illustrator Omer Hoffmann make things clever, cozy and even if you do not celebrate Hanukkah, familiar (after all, do we not have competitions with our own cousins and/or siblings/the same generation as you?).
Due in mid-September 2023, which is in time for you to pre-order, then buy, then read, then read again and again until it falls apart, and buy it again so you will have copies for the holiday. I will be purchasing at least three copies for friends, and even a copies for a few of my non-Jewish friends, since it is a great way to introduce the holiday as well as a title to add to your own families’ traditions.
