Runaway Dreidel

by: Lesléa Newman

Published by: Square Fish Books

Reviewed by Lauren Segelbaum

When reviewing a children’s picture book you must keep in mind you are an adult reading this book. You must remember the average reader of this book is between the ages of 4 to 8 years old. The average five year old does not care that this book about the runaway dreidel, a staple of Chanukah tradition, uses the same meter as ”˜Twas the Night before Christmas.

Even though we work hard to tell our children Chanukah is not the Jewish Christmas, we would probably still buy this book. The average four year old does not care that the illustrations contain stereotypical features. My son actually thought the illustrations were “cool” because they were so lifelike. With all that said…this picture book is a good addition to a limited library of Chanukah stories.

This book tells the story of a young boy and his shiny new dreidel. His new dreidel spins round the kitchen, up the wall and right out the front door. The story takes the young boy and his family through the whole city in hot pursuit of the dreidel. The wonderful illustrations by Kyrsten Brooker bring both the city and the people in it to life. Her Chagall-like oil paintings and cut-paper art lend an Old World feel to the story. Runaway dreidel presents the young reader a glimpse in to the beautiful traditions of Chanukah.

This book is included on the “Great Hanukkah Books for Kids” recommended reading-and-shopping list, created by the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee of the Association of Jewish Libraries!

Armchair Interviews says: Book about important Jewish tradition.