The Remembering Candle

by Alison Goldberg, Selina Alko (Illustrator)

Overview

A peaceful celebration of the memories our loved ones leave with us when they pass.

I was sad when Grandpa died. I think about how sad Mom was too.
Mom says she misses Grandpa, but all her memories are like shining lights.

Grandpa died last November. Now, one year later on the anniversary of his death, a boy and his family light a special candle. It’s not a birthday, Hanukkah, or Shabbat candle. It’s a yahrzeit candle in remembrance of him, and it will burn all night and all day tomorrow until sunset. But why does it burn for so long?

The boy and his family spend the next night and day remembering Grandpa and sharing stories with each other. From his stylish hats, to piano duets, and apple squares for dessert, warm memories of Grandpa shine like stars with them while the yahrzeit candle burns – and continue to shine when it goes out.

• Features the Jewish memorial tradition of a yahrzeit candle
• Demonstrates how happy memories of our loved ones help us deal with grief
• Endnotes with more on the Jewish calendar and memorial traditions

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798888596487
Publisher:	Barefoot Books
Publication date:	08/12/2025
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 9.75(h) x 0.33(d)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Alison Goldberg is the author of fiction and nonfiction picture books. She often finds writing inspiration from family stories and thinking about the ways that stories can connect people across generations. Alison lives near Boston, Massachusetts. You can visit her online at AlisonGoldberg.com.

Selina Alko spends her days dreaming and remembering in her Brooklyn, New York, studio where she mixes collaged papers and acrylic paint to make richly textured illustrations for children's books. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Selina often thinks about her Turkish father who taught her how to paint and encouraged her to become an artist.

Editorial Reviews

2025-06-13
On the anniversary of Grandpa’s death, a Jewish family observes the tradition of yahrzeit by lighting a candle to honor his memory.

The candle burns over the next 24 hours while everyone shares stories about Grandpa, creating new memories as each reminiscence connects to an activity he used to enjoy. As the family members use a telescope to gaze at the night sky, the nameless young protagonist recalls Grandpa explaining how to find the constellation Orion; sitting down at the piano is a reminder of how Mom used to play with Grandpa. The candle remains a constant throughout, burning a little more with each page turn and allowing readers to feel as though they’re part of the story. By book’s end, the candle’s extinguished, but the family keeps Grandpa’s memory bright. Goldberg’s poignant and beautifully crafted tale tackles the weighty issue of losing a loved one in a thoughtful and accessible age-appropriate way. Alko blends vibrant paintings and creative collage illustrations. A motif of white dots, hearts, and stars sprinkled throughout the book suggests the stars that Grandpa loves and invokes feelings of love for him. Some readers may wonder about the omission of the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer that is said over the dead. Still, few picture books explore yahrzeits, making this tale an especially welcome addition on the topic. The family members vary in skin tone.

A meaningful and sensitive celebration of life. (author’s and illustrator’s notes, information on yahrzeit and Jewish mourning traditions, explanation of the Jewish calendar, sources)(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews

★"This is a first purchase not only because of its high quality, but also because of the scarcity of children’s books about the Jewish memorial custom of yahrzeit" – School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Following Jewish custom, a family lights a yahrzeit candle to commemorate the anniversary of the grandfather's death. The parents and children fill the 24 hours the candle burns with memories of Grandpa. Goldberg uses sensory language to make both the memories and the candle itself more vivid. Soon after the candle is lit, the six-year-old narrator remembers Grandpa's "scratchy beard and how he always wore a hat" and notes that "Mom says my eyes come from him." At the same time, he points out, "The candle hasn’t melted much, but the top looks soft." Alko's mixed-media illustrations use collage techniques, acrylic paint, and pencils to evoke the feeling of memory, alongside the slowly burning yahrzeit candle. The back matter provides additional information about yahrzeits, other Jewish memorial traditions, and the Jewish calendar, which is used to determine the date of a yahrzeit. This book will be very helpful to children whose families already use yahrzeit candles to remember loved ones, and the gentle framing may suggest special ways for any family to adopt this tradition as well. A beautiful presentation of a custom that explores its many layers of meaning" – Booklist, starred review

"A meaningful and sensitive celebration of life." – Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher