The Rugrats' Book of Chanukah
Author: Sarah Willson
Illustrator: Barry Goldberg
Publisher: Turtleback Books: A Division of Sanval, 1997
ISBN:978-0613058063
Reading Level: 4 - 8 years
Main Characters: All of your favorite Rugrats' characters are here. Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Angelica, & the grown-ups.
Plot: The plot involves a retelling of the Hanukkah
story, as seen from the babies’ viewpoint. There is a pageant going on at the Jewish synagogue and there are flashes of Hanukkah history happening when a book about Hanukkah is read to the babies. The book is based on the television series Rugrats.
Settings: The home of Tommy, the Jewish Synagogue, and several significant places
in Jewish Hanukkah history.
Genre/Theme/Style: Picture Book. Religious Holiday Books. Jewish Culture. Jewish Holidays.
The style is very in
keeping with the Rugrat’s humor. It is easy for kids isolate the parts that
they can understand and there is enough humor to prevent this book from being overwhelming
for younger readers. There are layers and levels of understanding that can be
found in it.
5 Roars!🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁
Critical Analysis: This book is an
older book, but it became a tradition at our house. My children did not have very
many books about Jewish kids that highlighted the religion in a way that kids
could relate to during that time period. We see more cultural books available to
children now, but it was a bold move for Nickelodeon to create characters that
celebrated the Jewish holidays. These characters helped to pave the way for more children's Jewish characters in television and books.
My grandchildren are now watching the Rugrats television series and my kids are sharing the Rugrats' books they loved with their children. I
might break into a chorus of the "Tradition" song from Fiddler on the
Roof, but I am not sure if other Jewish people would shake their heads at this
tradition or not. Oy, Vey!
Discussing the television episode that is very similar to the book with the same name, Ian Spelling writes:
"Back in December 1996, Nickelodeon kicked off season four of their acclaimed show with an episode simply titled, 'Chanukah.'"
"The sweetest moment arrives when Schlomo, much to Boris’s surprise, perfectly explains the importance and legacy of the menorah and its burning for eight nights. ‘In times of darkness,’ he shares, ‘it shines on the whole world, reminding us not to be afraid to be different, but to be proud of who we are.’”
~~ Ian Spelling
Why 5 Roars? This Rugrats' book and characters helped children become more aware of other cultures during that time period and gave my kids a sense of belonging to a very long history of a people who still find joy in their traditions. I think it is important to remember the time period in which this book was written when assessing its worth.
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