By
– March 24, 2017
Potatoes At Turtle Rock shares the unique ways that Annie’s family celebrates Hanukkah. On Hanukkah, when it’s snowing, they celebrate in the woods and this year, Annie creates various adventures that use the traditional symbols, foods and fun of Hannukah in new ways. Annie’s Mother, Father, younger brother, Lincoln, and their pet goat and chicken, stop at Old Log, where Annie passes out gifts, hot potatoes. They warm their hands on the potatoes that she’s given them, just as her Great-Grandpop warmed his hands in the shtetl, back in the Old County. At their next stop, a dark cave, they learn that Hanukkah occurs at the darkest time of the year, and one reason we light Hanukkah candles is to overcome the darkness. At the next stop, they make Hanukkah menorahs out of the potatoes, light the candles and sing the Hanukkah blessings. The last stop is Turtle Rock, where the family enjoys a Hanukkah treat of potatoes and snow cones. Instead of making snow angels, Annie and Lincoln make dreidels in the snow and share a blessing of gratitude. With its warm and engaging full-color illustrations, this lovely story of family and tradition sneaks in facts and vocabulary about the Jewish holiday. It also illustrates that there are other ways to celebrate than the usual home observances, and may inspire families to try new and different Hanukkah activities, or create their own. There also is a brief explanation of the history of Hanukkah at the end of the book. Highly recommended for ages 6 – 9.
Paula Chaiken has worked in a variety of capacities in the Jewish world — teaching in religious school, curating at the Spertus Museum and fundraising for the Federation — for more than twenty years. She also runs a boutique public relations consulting firm and enjoys reading all sorts of books with her three sons.