When I think of Hanukkah, I think of a winter celebration that I know a little about, but not enough to say much about. So, when J Is for Janucá came up on a list of books to read online via Edelweiss, I thought here is a great way to learn. And I learned more than expected.
You see, this book is bilingual. Spanish and English words and phrases fill this alphabet book in ways you will be amazed at. Words you might know, such as L is for latkes, but also words that maybe do not translate right away to your English speaker, such as J is for Hanukkah. The Spanish first, English second and underneath the idea presented. The translation sometimes works for both languages, but sometimes you get oil for the letter A. It is clever, interesting, and filled with all sorts of wonderment. Melanie Romero took it all and had fun, while being educational.
Words, phrases, and ideas I was not familiar with come to light as well as things like dreidel and gelt. This book is not just for the Latin-Jewish community, but for everyone book. It can reinforce the holiday for those who celebrate, introduce it to those not familiar with this time of year, and to add to the information you know.
The Festival of Lights is illustrated by debut illustrator Cassie Gonzales. Now, here is where the book lost me. I appreciate the hard work and time that went into the book and illustrations, but I am not loving the childlike artwork (or at least what adults do to make it look like children are doing art, but you still can see what it is). I was hoping for a more realistic approach. But it does not take anything away from the book, it is just a personal preference on my part. They are sweet illustrations that are colorful and all you to see the ins, outs and in between of people celebrating their culture.