A Dragon for Hanukkah

Written by Sarah Mlynowski

Illustrated by Ariel Landy

Orchard Books (Scholastic)

40 pp.

Ages 4-8

September 2024

 

Hanukkah, which is also known as the eight-day Festival of Lights, has many traditions from songs sung, candles lit, and foods eaten. But for Hannah, this Hanukkah is something especially magical.

From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy

In Hannah's family, a gift is given on each night, and the gifts this child is given and shares are extraordinary. On the first night of Hanukkah, Hannah receives a fire-breathing dragon whom she names Nerry. (Ner in Hebrew means candle, lamp, or light.) On the second night, her Bubbie (Yiddish for grandmother) gifts her with a rainbow! A treasure chest of gold coins and gems are a gift from her aunt on the third night of Hanukkah while the fourth night sees Hannah receiving a merry-go-round.

From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy

A time machine for the fifth night allows her and her cousin to go back in time and meet the Maccabees while the rocket boots she gets on the sixth night takes Hannah among the stars. On the seventh night, Hannah gets three rambunctious unicorns from her little brother. The eighth night is Hannah's turn to give gifts and hers is a tasty treat concocted in a lab.

From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy

Finally, when everyone is arriving and Hannah is tidying up her room, readers see what her gifts really were. There's a stuffed dragon, a box of rainbow-coloured crayons, a dreidel, chocolate "gelt" and more. And her special concoction? It's potato latkes which the family enjoys as they gather to sing, play dreidel, and celebrate together.

From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy

Writer Sarah Mlynowski, whose Whatever After and other series have made her a New York Times best-selling author, makes Hanukkah even more magical through Hannah's imaginative experiences with the gifts she receives for this festival. She includes all the traditions of Hanukkah from the tzedakah box of donated toys to the lighting of the menorah and the retelling of the Maccabees' story. And yet, among all the familiar elements, Sarah Mlynowski has created a story far greater and fantastic and one that evolves from a child's imagination and wonder. For young celebrants of Hanukkah, they will easily pick up on the traditional elements but for those unfamiliar with the Festival of Lights, Sarah Mlynowski appends her story with an informative dialogue between Hannah and Nerry to provide details related to the story. 

 

Illustrator Ariel Landy, an American based in France, brings the whimsy to Sarah Mlynowski's words making each gift and Hannah's delight with them even greater. From the rainbow that flows out of the room and carries Hannah along with it to a trio of spirited unicorns that arise from drawings her younger brother gives her, there is a playfulness that emphasizes the joys of the celebration. Moreover, Ariel Landy's use of brilliant colours like purples and pinks, lime green and blues make the story sparkle and fresh.

From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy

Perhaps not every child celebrating Hanukkah will receive a dragon or a rainbow but every child who reads A Dragon for Hanukkah will understand the magic that is part of Hannah's celebration. Through the festivities of gift-giving and of traditional food and activity, Sarah Mlynowski and Ariel Landy welcome all readers to a Hanukkah celebration like no other, while teaching them about the festival in an imaginative and colourful way.

We Need Everyone

Written by Michael Redhead Champagne

Illustrated by Tiff Bartel

HighWater Press

978-1-77492-011-4

40 pp.

Ages 6-8

January 2024

 

Belonging is such an important emotional need for children and for all. But too often we compare ourselves with others and see their gifts and accomplishments as greater than our own, worrying that we don't belong or aren't good enough. Community advocate Michael Redhead Champagne will help children see that they all belong because we need everyone.

From We Need Everyone, written by Michael Redhead Champagne, illustrated by Tiff Bartel

We Need Everyone's book character Michael, easily recognizable by his bouncy asymmetrical hair, speaks to everyone about gifts. 

Gifts are skills and talents we share with others. Every gift is different, and every gift is special.

For many children, recognizing their own gifts may be a challenge, so Michael takes them through a series of steps to finding their gifts. These include making lists of what they like to do as well as what they are good at doing. If they have difficulties identifying those, they can always ask for help. Then it comes down to practising those gifts.

From We Need Everyone, written by Michael Redhead Champagne, illustrated by Tiff Bartel

But there is more to having a gift if we are to share them and build strong communities. Michael Redhead Champagne equates building community with activism and speaks of all those who help make our communities richer: artists, athletes, chefs, gamers, storytellers, and friends.

When you share your gift, you give strength to others. Even if you feel too small, too young, or too quiet, your gift is too special to keep to yourself.

Michael Redhill Champagne speaks from a place of knowing. He is Ininew (Cree), having been raised in Winnipeg's North End with his family from Shamattawa First Nation in northern Manitoba.  He knows what it means to belong to a community and to make a community. He shares his inspiration through public speaking and writing, hosting media events and telling of stories. We Need Everyone, his debut picture book, continues his message of empowerment and influence by helping kids see that they all have superpowers that are their gifts, and that these gifts, though not always easily identifiable, are what will help make our communities stronger. 

From We Need Everyone, written by Michael Redhead Champagne, illustrated by Tiff Bartel

Winnipeg artist Tiff Bartel ensures that the illustrations in We Need Everyone reflect Michael Redhill Champagne's message that everyone is needed. She includes children of all skin colours, sizes, and abilities. She shows a girl in a hijab cooking, children gardening, a child playing sledge hockey, another signing "I love you" and others painting. Some are active, some are quiet, some are sharing their cultures, and many are learning. And they are engaged joyously and vibrantly in ways to enrich their communities and acknowledge their own gifts.

We need everyone, and by sharing their gifts of storytelling and art, Michael Redhead Champagne and Tiff Bartel will give children strength and inspiration to see themselves as needed and belonging too.

 • • • • • • •

A free teacher's guide, titled Teacher Guide for We Need Everyone:
Empowering Students to be Active Community Members Through Indigenous Perspectives in Primary Classrooms and Beyond  is available from HighWater Press (Portage & Main Press) here.

Cocoa Magic

Written by Sandra Bradley

Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

Pajama Press

978-1-77278-264-6

32 pp.

Ages 4-7

November 2022

There is much kindness in giving gifts in secret, in not expecting thanks or acknowledgement. It's giving for the sake of giving and not for reciprocity or reward. With the holiday season upon us, Sandra Bradley's book of Cocoa Magic, deliciously illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, reminds us of the goodness of giving.

From Cocoa Magic by Sandra Bradley, illus. by Gabrielle Grimard

Daniel's Great Uncle Lewis is known as the Cocoa King of Charlottetown. From a very young child, Daniel learned the magic that came from a cocoa bean when vanilla, sugar and milk were added. By the time he is eight, he is spending an hour crafting chocolate into treasures at his uncle's shop before he is delivered to school.

From Cocoa Magic by Sandra Bradley, illus. by Gabrielle Grimard

When a new girl, Sarah, arrives at school, looking a little hesitant, Daniel comes up with a plan to make her feel more welcome. The day after her arrival, he slips a gold box with a single chocolate caramel into her desk. Like magic, when she opens the little box, Sarah smiles for the first time. He repeats this for several days, with a luscious vanilla fudge, a coconut cream and a piece of nougat. And each day Sarah seems less scared and more cheerful.

Then Daniel notices Ben watching Sarah enjoy her treat and decides to surprise the boy too with some magic. Was it the chocolate that made Ben a little kinder that day? Everywhere Daniel looks, it seems someone needs to be touched by a little cocoa magic. With a tearful classmate and an injured boy and more, Daniel enlists his uncle's help in delivering little boxes to the whole class.

From Cocoa Magic by Sandra Bradley, illus. by Gabrielle Grimard

Then his uncle goes away to the World's Chocolatiers' Conference in Switzerland and must close the shop for five days. Daniel is devastated. He misses his uncle, working in the shop and he worries that without their secret chocolate gifts, the joy would disappear from his classmates. He's wrong. In fact, his classmates bring the magic to Daniel when he needs it.

What a wonderful story of empathy! Daniel understands Sarah's nervousness at attending a new school, one which he himself finds cold and lonely, and then sees what his other classmates are feeling. He sees their distresses and finds a way, his way, to make them feel better. Sandra Bradley, a clinical social worker and therapist, makes the story of Cocoa Magic one of kindness without expectation of reciprocity. She shows the positive nature of giving both on the recipient and the giver. It is only when children feel safe and secure that they can appreciate the emotional needs of others and Daniel, embraced in the warmth of his uncle and his chocolate shop, has the capacity for that empathy. But by showing empathy for his classmates, Daniel gives them the capacity to feel for others. That is magic in itself.

From endpapers of Cocoa Magic by Sandra Bradley, illus. by Gabrielle Grimard

Gabrielle Grimard's illustrations, created with watercolour, gouache, coloured pencil and digital media, are filled with the sweetness of love, kindness, generosity and confections. (The endpapers are filled with an assortment of confectionary delectables too!) Though Gabrielle Grimard transports readers to the 1920s when boys wore knickerbockers, school desks had lift-tops and inkwell holes, and a special treat didn't need to be expensive or extravagant, she makes Sandra Bradley's story contemporary enough that young readers will see themselves in the diverse students who feel fear, sadness, pain and especially joy. 

There may be magic in the cocoa and the sugar but most of it comes from the empathy demonstrated through the gift giving. Perhaps at this time of year, that's the important message to cherish from Cocoa Magic.

I Got You a Present!

Written by Mike Erskine-Kellie and Susan McLennan

Illustrated by Cale Atkinson

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-0009-7

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

April 2020

I Got You a Present! is the perfect book to review for April Fool's Day as it is a bit of a joke. It's reminiscent of those irreverent birthday cards in which the giver plans to give the best of gifts but it ends up only being the card. Fortunately, for the recipient of Duck's intentions, the present is more personal than any gag card or gift could be. 

Throughout the book, Duck explains all the great gifts he planned for the birthday celebrant. He has the best ideas. First he is determined to knit some socks. Unfortunately, that doesn't work out.

Have you ever tried knitting birthday socks? It's really hard.

From I Got You a Present! by Mike Erskine-Kellie and Susan McLennan, illus. by Cale Atkinson

Then he chooses a ten-scoop ice-cream cone with the delicious flavours of Hooty Fruity, Huckleberry Honeycomb and Blueberry Brain Freeze. Of course, something goes awry there too.

From I Got You a Present! by Mike Erskine-Kellie and Susan McLennan, illus. by Cale Atkinson

There's a birthday music jam, the disappearing magic kit, an apple-juice-fueled jet pack, and more. And each time, there's an "except" or a "but" that tells the reader that that birthday gift also didn't happen.

From I Got You a Present! by Mike Erskine-Kellie and Susan McLennan, illus. by Cale Atkinson

Poor Duck! He was so intent on getting something special for his birthday friend. Fortunately, he realizes that all these anecdotes make for a fabulous story and a very personalized book that would make it the ultimate birthday present.

I Got You a Present! may be partners and collaborative duo Mike Erskine-Kellie and Susan McLennan's debut picture book but they are well-versed in the field of children's entertainment, having written for a variety of television shows. They make sure that each flop of Duck's gift attempts is snappy, funny and relatable. From a craft project that Duck can't quite complete, to misplacing something, or dropping a ice-cream, all situations are those to which children can relate and certainly appreciate.  Even Duck's earnestness at getting a great birthday gift for his friend is palpable. 

Cale Atkinson, whose digital art was apparently "rendered in cake icing, gorilla vanilla ice cream and Photoshop," communicates Duck's fervent attempts in his bold and enthusiastic illustrations (except where Duck is saddened to think he may have failed to get a present), blending them with the brightest of colours, the most voluminous of shape and the most spirited of line. 

If you have a child's birthday coming up, do pick up I Got You a Present! It's both birthday card message and gift with a surprise but thoughtful resolution.

...it's a story about you and me. So anytime you want, you can read it again and remember what great friends we are!

🎂🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎂

The Princess and the Pony

by Kate Beaton

Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic

978-0-545-63708-4

40 pp.

Ages 4-8

July 2015

Here's a charming story that is perfect for sweetly demonstrating that perspective is everything!

Princess Pinecone, with the stubby shape and minuscule and pointy feet iconic of Kate Beaton's heroines*, is determined to compete in a great battle competition where all the warriors of her kingdom would be showing their stuff.  Of course, they all have the right gear: shields, amulets, and helmets.  And she hopes that she'd get something of warrior greatness for her birthday, rather than the cozy sweaters she got every year; in fact, this year she has been desperately hinting at a grand horse. But what she gets is a pony: a short, rotund pony that eats what it shouldn't and farts too much.

Princess Pinecone's advice to her pony on the day of the battle is, "Just...do your best."(pg. 19) But it's a mean battle, with spitballs, squareballs (!) and all manner of balls, and warriors being knocked over every which way.  When the meanest warrior of all, though, takes aim at Princess Pinecone, he is stopped dead in his tracks by her little roly-poly pony. Seems the warriors never get to express their cuddly sides and are delighted to enjoy Princess Pinecone's cutie-pie of a pony.  She even helps them all get in touch with their loveable natures via some well-selected sweaters!

She may not have been the meanest warrior at the battle, but Princess Pinecone and the pony are voted the Most Valuable Warriors of the day, and hefted onto a multitude of hairy, tattooed and rough warrior arms in celebration. You can't beat that for cuteness or inspiration.

The Princess and the Pony has all the right ingredients for a masterpiece children's book:  an irresistible princess; a short and plump little pony; a loving family who tries to get the right birthday gift for a little warrior; a plethora of superhero-like warriors; a challenge to which our protagonist must rise; a valuable lesson in being oneself; a happy ending; and a little bathroom humour via a farting pony.  Kids will eat this book up!  Share it with them to encourage them to persevere–and to accept birthday gifts gracefully–but delve into Kate Beaton's detailed and comical illustrations with the abandon of a rollicking ruckus. Everyone is sure to win with The Princess and the Pony.


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*I first became enamoured with Kate Beaton's people from her article in "My Books, My Place" for The Globe and Mail, January 21, 2012 in which she described and drew herself in various reading positions. After that, I could always pick out her illustrations.

The Best Gifts

Written by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Illustrated by Elly MacKay

Fitzhenry & Whiteside

981-1-55455-283-2

32 pp.

Ages 4-8

May, 2013

Throughout Sara's life, she is wrapped in love and celebrated with joy and gifts.  From birthdays, to graduation, to marriage, Sara is showered with adoration.  But the very best gift is the one that she receives at her mother's breast with her father beside them, and the one that she gives her own child, Sam, at the conclusion of the book.

This new edition of Marsha Skrypuch's The Best Gifts (originally illustrated by Halina Below; Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1998) is the story of a new life that is nurtured and treasured, and allowed to grow and flourish so that she may share the same gifts with her newborn son.  And the final message,

"...the best gifts can never be bought"

is warmly extended through the unique paper art of Elly MacKay.

Award-winning author of children's fiction and non-fiction Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch has always been able to touch readers' hearts with her poignant takes on historical circumstances of the Ukrainian Holodomyr, the Armenian genocide, airlifts from Vietnam and immigration. But this story comes from the past, the present and the future, for every child born and yet to be born, in love and care, and blessed with a mother's milk, sharing the most natural of first gifts.  Complemented with Elly MacKay's soft, ethereal paper artwork, Marsha Skrypuch's text gently shares the importance of breastfeeding without insisting that readers get up close and personal with it.  While resources and links to organizations and research into the valuable nature of breastfeeding are provided, Marsha Skrypuch and Elly MacKay have taken a step back from lauding breastfeeding directly and allowed The Best Gifts to be introduced to a younger readership with the aim of appreciating the nature of all gifts (though The Best Gifts is still a great gift for new parents!)