REVIEWS
From “Celebrate Picture Books” https://celebratepicturebooks.com/tag/susan-s-novich/
A review of HELLO, HANUKKAH! from the Sydney Taylor Shmooze: https://www.sydneytaylorshmooze.com/2021/11/review-hello-hannukah.html
HELLO, HANUKKAH! lands on The Horn Book Magazine‘s November/December 2021 list of Holiday Highlights:
Hello, Hanukkah!
by Susan S. Novich; illus. by the author
Preschool Kar-Ben 20 pp. g
10/21 978-1-7284-0344-1 $7.99
An eight-night holiday lends itself to counting books, and this one adds in colors as well as Hanukkah activities. Badger plays dreidel and lights two orange Hanukkah candles; reads the story of the Maccabees and lights five blue candles; and so forth. The reassuringly predictable text provides an introduction to the holiday, and the cut-paper illustrations have just enough details to keep young viewers engaged: varied textures, carefully lettered dreidels, even tributes to Badger’s bird companion. A just-right board book for the youngest Hanukkah celebrants. SHOSHANA FLAX
HELLO, HANUKKAH! receives *STARRED* review from School Library Journal
https://www.slj.com/?authorName=Novich%2C%20Susan%20S
by Susan S Novich (text) & illus. by Susan S. NovichKar-Ben. Oct. 2021. 18p. Board $7.99. ISBN 9781728403441.COPY ISBN
Toddler-PreS–This delightful Hanukkah board book combines counting, colors, and a variety of holiday traditions in an inviting package. On each spread, a young badger participates in a Hanukkah tradition, followed by lighting a certain number of candles in a specific color. Badger opens the candles and lights one red candle, plays dreidel and lights two orange candles, etc. For the final eight candles, the badger family says the blessings and fills the menorah with a rainbow of candles, including a white shammash. The story is appropriately simple for a board book audience, but still hits most of the rituals, including making latkes, telling the story, singing songs, and eating gelt. The text is beautifully concise and accessible, but the real star here is the artwork. Done in a layered collage style reminiscent of Nancy Elizabeth Wallace, the renderings look so tactile that children will want to touch them. They are done in bright, appealing colors, with single or two-color backgrounds, and only the items needed for each activity pictured. Toddler’s eyes will be drawn to the numbers, the candles, and Badger and his friend bird. Readers will need to be familiar with the holiday, as there is very little explanation; however, families in search of simple books for toddlers will find this fits the bill.VERDICT This is a perfect Hanukkah package of colors, counting, and traditions. All libraries serving Jewish patrons will want to add this little gem to their board book collections.Reviewed by Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Lib., CT , Nov 01, 2021
HELLO, HANUKKAH! review by Rosemary Kidlatis
Let’s get ready for Hanukkah! – Mom Read It
Hello Hanukkah!, by Susan S. Novich, (Oct. 2021 Kar-Ben Publishing), $7.99, ISBN: 9781728403441
Ages 0-3
An adorable board book that illustrates counting and colors, Hello Hanukkah! shows how young Badger celebrates the holiday every day by doing one activity as he lights the candles. He opens a box of Hanukkah candles and lights one red candle; plays with a dreidel and lights two orange candles; all the way up through the eighth night. It’s Badger has a bird friend present to help him out on every spread, and the two celebrate with a banner and full menorah at the end. A very sweet way to introduce holiday vocabulary and concepts to the littlest learners.
HELLO, HANUKKAH! makes the “Latest picks for the best Jewish Holiday Children’s Books of Fall 2021”
Check out their web page at www.jewishlibraries.org/holiday-highlights to see the entire list!
HELLO, HANUKKAH! receives TWO Amazon banners for # 1 new release:
#1 New Release in Jewish Holidays
and
#1 New Release in Children’s Mammal Books
REVIEWS for GUESS WHO IS BEHIND THE DOOR
Pinky Porcupine is painting the town. Children ages 2-6 will enjoy finding out who is behind each door being painted in this colorful rhyming board book adventure that teaches 1 through 10 in four different languages! Unique, fun, and thoroughly ‘kid friendly’ in organization and presentation, “GUESS WHO is behind the door” is a unique and especially recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library board book collections.
— Midwest Book Review
“This rhyming story about a painting porcupine introduces counting, colors, and language concepts. Pinky Porcupine paints the doors in the town, and finds a different animal friend behind each one. Kids can count from one to 10 in English, Spanish, Chinese, and French, with pronunciations noted on each page. The animals gather together to say goodnight in their different languages at the end and fun animal facts close out this fun, fact-filled board book. Pictures are colorful and eye-catching and fun, perfect for counting storytimes and introducing readers to new languages.” — Rosemary Kiladitis, Mom Read It