📖 Overview
On the first night of Hanukkah, Faigel plans to make her famous latkes but realizes she has forgotten the recipe. She calls on her neighbor Mrs. Putter for help determining the proper amount of ingredients.
The situation quickly escalates as Faigel and Mrs. Putter attempt to prepare latkes for their village celebration. Their well-intentioned cooking efforts lead to mounting chaos in Faigel's kitchen.
This Hanukkah story explores themes of friendship, community, and problem-solving through a humorous lens. The tale demonstrates how mistakes and mishaps can sometimes result in unexpected blessings.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate this Hanukkah story for its humor and relatable grandmother character. Parents say it helps teach children about family traditions and celebrates mistakes turning into happy accidents.
Likes:
- Accessible introduction to Hanukkah for young children
- Colorful, engaging illustrations
- Incorporates some Yiddish words naturally
- Focus on family and food resonates with kids
Dislikes:
- Some find the premise repetitive
- A few note it's best for very young children (ages 3-6)
- Limited depth beyond the basic story
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (33 ratings)
Amazon: 4.7/5 (39 ratings)
One parent reviewer noted: "My 4-year-old asks for this book repeatedly during Hanukkah season. She giggles at Grandma's forgetfulness and loves counting the growing piles of latkes."
A teacher commented: "Works well for classroom reading - students connect with the concept of cooking with grandparents and enjoy the building chaos of too many latkes."
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The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser A girl's solution to feed unexpected guests during Hanukkah brings two neighbors together through food and friendship.
Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco The story connects Jewish and African American cultures through shared meals and celebrations between a widow and her young neighbor.
The Bagel King by Andrew Larsen A boy must keep his grandfather's Sunday bagel delivery tradition alive when his grandfather gets injured, showing the connection between food and family bonds.
Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres A middle-grade novel follows a girl's relationship with her family's taco truck business and her journey to embrace her cultural identity through food.
The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser A girl's solution to feed unexpected guests during Hanukkah brings two neighbors together through food and friendship.
Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco The story connects Jewish and African American cultures through shared meals and celebrations between a widow and her young neighbor.
The Bagel King by Andrew Larsen A boy must keep his grandfather's Sunday bagel delivery tradition alive when his grandfather gets injured, showing the connection between food and family bonds.
Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres A middle-grade novel follows a girl's relationship with her family's taco truck business and her journey to embrace her cultural identity through food.
🤔 Interesting facts
🥔 While this story is fictional, latkes are a traditional Hanukkah food dating back hundreds of years, symbolizing the miracle of oil that lasted eight days.
🕯️ The book's main character, Faigel, makes a common cooking mistake by forgetting the recipe proportions - but in real life, the basic latke recipe has remained largely unchanged for generations.
📚 Author Linda Glaser has written over 30 children's books, many of which focus on Jewish traditions and culture, helping to preserve these stories for new generations.
🎨 The book's illustrator, Aleksandar Zolotic, created warm, cozy illustrations that capture both the chaos and joy of preparing holiday foods with family.
🌎 The story reflects the real-world tradition of sharing food during Hanukkah, as many Jewish families invite friends and neighbors to enjoy latkes together, just as Faigel does in the book.