Dino-Hanukkah

by Lisa Wheeler, Barry Gott (Illustrator)

Overview

Hanukkah is coming, and the dinos are all busy getting ready!

They make brisket and latkes, and the dino-kids play with a dreidel, act out the Hanukkah story, open gifts, and eagerly await their turn to light the menorah.

Dinosaurs big and small gather to decorate, eat, and even compete in party festivities like only prehistoric carnivores and herbivores would. Lisa Wheeler and Barry Gott—creators of the enormously popular Dino-Sports picture books—team up to create celebrations of epic proportions!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728419213
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/05/2023
Series:	Dino-Holidays
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.70(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lisa Wheeler is the award-winning author of the Dino-Sports and Dino-Holidays books. When she isn't running around the country visiting schools, standing at podiums, and eating airport snacks, she resides in Michigan.

Barry Gott lives in Ohio and has illustrated many children's books, including all of the Dino-Sports and Dino-Holidays books.

Editorial Reviews

"The colorful, lively dinosaurs stomping to the festivities, with the pterodactyl swooping in to hear Grandma Dinosaur tell the story of the Maccabees, will hold young readers' attention. Just enough Hanukkah customs and plenty of dinosaurs make this a worthy addition to the board book collection in all libraries."—Association of Jewish Libraries

From the Publisher

09/01/2023

PreS-K—The dinosaurs are back, this time to celebrate Hanukkah! A variety of dinosaur species celebrate different aspects of the holiday through brief rhyming text. From making latkes, to lighting the menorah, to opening presents, to telling the story, to playing dreidel, it is all here. The brevity of the text necessitates leaving out the full Hanukkah story, but it is referenced, as is the oil's lasting eight nights. At times the rhymes strain and the rhythm doesn't always scan, but for the most part the text is readable. Digital full-bleed artwork is colorful and busy, with personified dinosaurs who wear no clothes but otherwise act like humans. The dinos are all brightly colored and a wide selection of species are included, making it likely that little ones will find their favorites. VERDICT While not outstanding, this will please fans of Wheeler's other dinosaur books. Libraries will likely want to make space on their shelves for this additional offering.—Amy Lilien-Harper

School Library Journal

2023-08-23
Hanukkah suits these dinos to a T.

All the dinosaur households are getting ready for the Festival of Lights. At Bary’s, they clean, mop, and dust so the house will look its best when Gran arrives. Meanwhile, T. rex prepares a scrumptious brisket for his family, and Tricera makes applesauce for his guests. Everyone’s excited to participate in Dino-Hanukkah. A group of little ones are anxious to light the menorah on each of the eight nights. However, they are told that the youngest dino child gets first dibs at performing the solemn ceremony. Readers watch as the dinosaurs lead songs and blessings, savor latkes and jelly doughnuts, open gifts, spin dreidels, win chocolate coins, and reenact the story of the brave Maccabee heroes of ancient times. This latest entry in the popular series is a rollicking holiday story, told in jaunty, bouncy rhyming couplets that scan very well and convey the happiness of the holiday, its traditions, and the warmth of family closeness. Several characters are referred to by nicknames that play off their species name—for instance, “Bary” for Baryonyx, “Stego” for Stegosaurus, and “Allo” for Allosaurus. Readers might have benefitted from backmatter identifying the dinosaurs by their full names. The vivid digital illustrations depict wonderfully energetic, expressive cartoonish dinos bursting with lively good cheer. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A high-spirited holiday charmer. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews