The Mexican Dreidel

by Linda Elovitz Marshall, Ilan Stavans Narrated by Book Buddy Digital Media

Overview

Danielito loves Janucá, especially playing dreidel. This year, he is old enough to visit Bobe by himself. Piñatas hang from the trees, and the kids in Bobe's neighborhood play with Mexican tops called trompos. Danielito does not have a trompo, but he has a dreidel. “What is that?” “¿Qué es eso?” the other kids ask, as they invite him to join their game. The trompos follow the dreidel as it spins through the neighborhood. And Danielito invited his new friends, nuevos amigos, to Bobe's house to celebrate Janucá.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Mola's chalky, bright-hued images, which portray characters with brown skin, evoke a sunny, cozy town and the fun of sharing with 'nuevos amigos.'" —Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

2023-08-12
A Jewish Mexican boy makes new friends through cultural communion.

Danielito loves Janucá (Hanukkah), and tonight, he and his Bobe will light the first candles. Danielito doesn’t know any of the kids in his grandmother’s neighborhood, but when he sees them playing trompos (tops) in the street, he asks Bobe if she has one. “No,” she tells him. “But I have a dreidel!” The local kids let Danielito join in, and when his dreidel is the last top spinning, something magical happens. Each fallen trompo the dreidel touches starts spinning again, and soon the dreidel is leading the trompos and the kids all through the town. When the tops finally stop, the kids invite Danielito to play with them the next day, and he invites them to celebrate Janucá. Together, they light the candles, enjoy latkes and buñuelos, and play dreidel. This friendship tale celebrates the Jewish diaspora in Mexico and the blending of cultural traditions it has occasioned. Spanish and hispanophone transliterations of Yiddish words are integrated into the text, the former usually paired with in-text English translations, the latter explained in the authors’ note. Mola’s illustrations feature rich colors and textures that vividly bring the Mexican town and characters to life. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A heartwarming story celebrating friendship across cultural lines. (Picture book. 4-8)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159997548
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/03/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

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