Hanukkah Bear

Product Description

Bubba Brayna’s legendary latkes lure an unexpected visitor into her home in this playful Hanukkah tale from a master storyteller.

Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village, and on the first night of Hanukkah, the scent of her cooking wakes a hungry, adorable bear from his hibernation.  He lumbers into town to investigate, and Bubba Brayna—who does not see or hear very well—mistakes him for her rabbi. She welcomes the bear inside to play the dreidel game, light the menorah, and enjoy a scrumptious meal.

However, after her well-fed guest leaves, there’s a knock at the door—it’s the rabbi, and all of Brayna’s other friends, arriving for dinner.  But there are no latkes left—and together, they finally figure out who really ate them.

Lively illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka, portraying the sprightly Bubba Brayna and her very hungry guest, accompany this instant family favorite, a humorous reworking of Eric A. Kimmel’s earlier classic tale,
The Chanukkah Guest. A traditional recipe for latkes is included in the back matter, along with interesting, digestible facts about the history and traditions of Hanukkah.

A 2013 National Jewish Book Award Winner, this book is perfect for a holiday story time with children— either in the classroom or at home, as an introduction for young readers to the traditions and customs of Hanukkah, and as a classic to return to year after year.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-Kimmel has pared down his The Chanukkah Guest (Holiday House, 1990) to create this new, reillustrated version for younger readers. Though a bit of the rich language is gone from this much-loved story about 97-year-old Bubba Brayna mistaking a latke-seeking bear for her rabbi, the essence and the humor remain. Bubba Brayna still tries to take the bear’s coat, interprets his “grrrowwws” and “rrrrumphs” as the blessing over the Hanukkah candles, and wipes the jam from his “beard” after he finishes his meal. The book was originally illustrated by Giora Carmi; the new acrylic paintings by Wohnoutka have a warm, mirthful quality. Petite Bubba Brayna is rosy and welcoming toward the large honey brown bear, who is more endearing than menacing. Large textured brushstrokes make the snow on Bubba Brayna’s roof look like frosting, while inside her cozy house everything has a golden glow. Successful on every level, this holiday favorite is sure to be popular with anyone who appreciates a little humor with their holidays.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Libraryα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Elderly Bubba Brayna doesn’t see or hear very well, but she can still make delicious latkes for Hanukkah. This year she has invited the rabbi to dinner, but the wonderful aromas awaken a very hungry Old Bear, who arrives first. Young listeners will chortle as Bubba mistakes her ursine guest for the rabbi. She attempts to remove his coat, insists he recite the blessings, beats him at a game of dreidel, and finally feeds him latkes with jam. This updated version of The Chanukkah Guest (1990) features revised text and all-new illustrations by Wohnoutka. His cartoon-style acrylics exude comfort and make effective use of warm browns and golds. Concluding with a recipe for latkes and a note about Hanukkah customs, this makes a good addition to the holiday shelf, especially for libraries needing to replace the earlier edition. Grades K-3. –Kay Weisman

Review

“Successful on every level, this holiday favorite is sure to be popular with anyone who appreciates a little humor with their holidays.”—
School Library Journal
 
“a good addition to the holiday shelf”—
Booklist
 
“The now-classic tale’s humor still fosters eye-rolling laughter, with Wohnoutka’s illustrations as rib-tickling complement.”—
Kirkus Reviews
 
“The silliness of the folkloric setup plays out well in the vivacious acrylic illustrations with nary