The Littlest Levine

by Sandy Lanton, Claire Keay (Illustrator)

Overview

Hannah doesn't like being the littlest Levine. She's too short to hang fruit from the sukkah and too young to light the Hanukkah candles by herself. But when Passover comes, the littlest Levine gets a chance to shine in a big way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761390466
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/01/2014
Pages:	24
Sales rank:	433,540
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Sandy Lanton is the author of many books including Lots of Latkes and The Littlest Levine. When she isn’t writing or visiting schools, Sandy enjoys line dancing, crocheting, playing bridge & reading!

Editorial Reviews

"This is a wonderful story about the importance of being the youngest in the family during the holiday of Passover. The Littlest Levine not only shows the importance of family and traditions but the gift of helping each other out." — AJL Reviews

From the Publisher

02/17/2014
Hannah hates the feeling of dependency that comes from being the smallest and youngest member of her family: she can’t decorate the sukkah, light the Hanukkah candles, or even put the Purim hamentashen in the oven without help from an adult. But Grandpa knows that there’s one part of the seder that no one else can do (“Don’t worry,” he tells her. “Soon you’ll be glad to be the littlest Levine”). With nightly tutoring, which becomes a beloved ritual for Hannah, Grandpa makes sure that his granddaughter shines when it comes to the most important job for the youngest seder participant: singing the Four Questions. Sunny cartooning from Keay (I Love You All Year Long) and Lanton’s (Lots of Latkes) light narrative touch make this story of diligence, identity (both familial and religious), and intergenerational love stand out. Ages 3–8. Illustrator’s agent: Advocate Art. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

2014-01-22
For little Hannah, being the youngest in the family is a vexing issue—until it is time for the Passover Seder, and one special honor is given only to her. Hannah continually laments that she is too small to reach the sink, join brother and sister on the school bus, and even light Hanukkah candles by herself. Grandpa tells her to be patient, as soon her holiday will come. Together, they spend many evenings after dinner in the study, learning something special that will be revealed to the whole family at the upcoming Seder. On the first night of Passover, Hannah takes much pride in reciting the traditional four questions as required by the youngest family member, finally delighted to be the littlest Levine. Generic watercolor drawings in pale spring hues place this intergenerational, observant family in a middle-class, suburban setting. The well-developed storyline provides enough intrigue to engage the littlest listeners and culminates pleasingly. This should be inspirational to little tykes who are expected to carry on with the tradition and need to understand their larger role in the Seder ceremony. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews