"One tradition of Jewish culture is to welcome guests warmly when they visit a home. So when a young boy putting up Hanukkah decorations sees a bear at his front door, he lets the bear in, as he has been taught to do—despite the warnings from the narrator, who uses second-person perspective to tell the story. At first, it seems the bear is a big help; he helps decorate and reach items in high places. But soon it becomes clear that he is not as big of a help as the boy first believed. Things go from bad to terrible when the boy’s mother brings out the food and the bear eats up everything, while making a mess of the house. The boy has to kick the bear out, but upon following the bear, discovers they have more in common than he thought; they find a way to celebrate Hanukkah together. Illustrations are engagingly delightful, and back matter includes an author’s letter to readers as well as a glossary. This book is a superb way to introduce and reinforce the traditions of Hanukkah. Children see examples of kindness, tolerance, and acceptance of others, as well as the importance of sharing one’s culture and beliefs. VERDICT An excellent book for library collections." —Laura Ellis, School Library Journal
"In Jewish tradition, it’s considered a mitzvah (a good deed) to warmly welcome guests, but what if a guest becomes difficult to bear? This picture book leads by example: when a child invites a bear in for Hanukkah, its appetite becomes a “beary big” problem; the child kicks the bear out, but follows it after seeing its distress. After learning the bear will now be celebrating alone, the child devises a compromise that brings “a beary big smile” and a new friend." —Foreword
"I LOVE the illustrations of the bear in this story who crashes the family’s Hanukkah. He’s adorable even though he eats all the latkes and applesauce and tears apart the gifts, making a beary big mess. So the boy tells the bear to leave but he follows him and learns he also celebrates Hanukkah and they figure out a solution—an outside celebration with jelly donuts. Which the bear loves! A sweet author’s note explains about the importance of mitzvah, good deeds, and helping friends feel comfortable while keeping safety in mind." —Imagination Soup
"Be bear-y mindful of whom you invite over for the holidays.
The young narrator’s adamant: Don’t invite a bear inside for Hanukkah! “You might think it’s a great idea because it’s always nice to invite guests inside to celebrate.” If you do, you’ve been forewarned. Don’t expect your guest to share the applesauce, latkes, or chocolate gelt. After the bear wolfs all the food down, the protagonist tells him to scram. Crying, the bear leaves. The child follows him to his den, only to see him lighting his own tree-branch menorah. How could the youngster have known that bears celebrate Hanukkah, too? The bear gives the child the menorah as a present. What a dilemma! The narrator doesn’t want the bear to celebrate Hanukkah alone, and inviting him back inside is a big no. Then an idea strikes! What about an outdoor Hanukkah celebration-cum-barbecue for everyone—complete with the bear’s menorah, latkes, and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts)? This sweet, good-humored story reminds readers that Hanukkah’s meant to be celebrated with family and friends (if not necessarily ursine ones) and that it’s important to accommodate guests. The rollicking, richly hued illustrations are cheerfully expressive. The human characters are tan-skinned and dark-haired; all appear to enjoy a delightful holiday celebration with their guest, even surrounded by snow. Backmatter notes that, per Jewish tradition, it’s a mitzvah to make guests feel special.
A charmer about the special meanings of Hanukkah: joy, friendship, and inclusion. (Picture book. 4-7)" —Kirkus Reviews
"An offstage narrator addresses a child who ignores the titular advice. The ursine guest helps—and “helps”—with preparations; the digital-looking illustrations show that, for example, picking out tiny candles isn’t the best task for bear paws. Once the latkes come out, all helpfulness is out the window, and the guest is out the door. The resolution involves an outdoor sufganiyot compromise and a bear-made gift (though that tree-branch menorah might be better for decoration than for lighting). An amusing tale, speckled with Hanukkah details, about making guests feel welcome." —Horn Book
"Once again Rostoker-Gruber’s trademark sense of fun delivers a silly story to teach the myriad parts of a Hanukkah celebration at home...The boy internalizes the important mitzvot of welcoming guests and including them warmly in your circle. The nameless hero is the age of targeted readers who gain an ethical lesson inside a funny, heartwarming holiday tale. The author’s endnote stresses safety; it warns readers not to let guests inside without asking grown-ups and certainly to stick to humans not wild animals. This title is recommended for collections in need of additional Hanukkah titles." —Association of Jewish Libraries
"Karen Rostoker-Gruber’s new picture book combines humor, fun, holiday spirit, and, most importantly, Jewish values. When a bear arrives at a boy’s door hoping to be invited in to celebrate Hanukkah, our young hero graciously lets him in. But kind intentions notwithstanding, a bear is still a bear, and he inadvertently wreaks havoc while attempting to join in the family fun. Water is spilled, decorations hang askew, and food flies all over the house. Unfortunately, the bear must be sent home.
However, welcoming guests and extending oneself to others are important Jewish values, so the boy looks for an out-of-the-box solution. He decides to transfer the holiday celebration to an outdoor venue, Hanukkah candles and all. There is a firepit for cooking latkes, crisp white snow is everywhere, and, best of all, messy but delicious sufganiyot are at hand — a favorite of both boys and bears that can be eaten outdoors with great relish.
Illustrations by Carles Arbat are colorful, joyful, and expressive. An author’s note offers tips on how to make friends comfortable, emphasizing safety and appropriate hosting behavior."—Jewish Book Council
