After reading the book, Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder, I wondered what else they had written. I found The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah (illustrated by Leanne Hatch). It is currently available (it came out mid September 2025) but I was able to find an online reader copy. I might purchase a few copies for some adult friends and/or my local library as it had a fresh take that makes it “not another Hanukkah” story.
Most Hanukkah books have an ideal setting for the family, the food, the setting of where and when, the candles, the religious aspects. It has always reminded me of how an ideal Christmas gathering is portrayed. I know they are separate, have different meanings and traditions, but it made me think how similar we are and not as different as people might think. This time, Synder’s book captures the everyday of Hanukkah and shines light on the meanings of things (of course, I still say we are similar, as who doesn’t love lighting candles, singing and using a banana to celebrate things? Read and find out what that means). Snyder shows the when and why of lighting the candles, how ordinary life gets in the way, how on one day certain traditions need to be followed but other days have a bit more flexibility. We are seeing the humanness of the holiday as well as the religious elements.
There is a mix of secular and spiritual giving things a bit of a modern tone. This is matched with the not muted or too dark colors, but a softer deeper use of colors. When a lighter color or brighter color is used, things highlight that importance.
There are fun “Thoughts for Day One, two, etc” as well. These and the story (a young child having a Hanukkah where they are finally “old enough” to participate in it, understand things more) allow the story to grow and be adapted with multiple ages. Also, as things are being explained to the child so they can understand the why of things, we the (perhaps uninitiated) reader, are getting that insight too. Also included are several extras the author gives us to have a more personal connection to them.