Parents' Guide to

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

By Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Little sister finds way to contribute in warm holiday story.

Book Emily Jenkins Holiday 2018
All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 3+

Based on 1 parent review

chiamarc
chiamarc Parent of 5 and 9-year-old
November 28, 2022
age 3+

There's always a way to include small children in the task!

This is a very warm and simple book that carefully demonstrates and empathizes with the feelings of small children who often just want to help the bigger folks around them.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Four-year-old baby sister Gertie is dying to help her mother and four sisters cook the food for their ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY HANUKKAH on the first night of the eight-day celebration in 1912. "All-of-a-Kind" is how Papa describes his children, who are all daughters. But while the older girls are allowed to peel and grate potatoes, chop onions, and fry the latkes in schmaltz, Mama won't let Gertie do those things because she's too young to use a peeler, grater, knife, or frying pan safely. Gertie is frustrated, throws a tantrum, and gets sent ot her room. But eventually Papa goes in and consoles her with some Gingersnaps and then gives her a special task: to light the first candle in the menorah.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This cozy holiday tale focuses on one family's religious and cultural tradition but has broad appeal as a story of a sibling feeling left out and then finally valued. All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah moves along at a brisk pace, amplified by engaging art that has an inviting old-fashioned feel and is framed in different perspectives -- from panoramic views of the busy, crowded tenement apartment to intimate closeups of parent and child.

Helpful, informative back matter includes a glossary, notes on original author Sydney Taylor and the diverse neighborhood and history of the Lower East Side, an explanation of Hanukkah's biblical origin, a note from the illustrator, and a list of the five All-of-a-Kind chapter books by Sydney Taylor.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the foods served in All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah. Have you ever eaten latkes? What holiday celebrations are there in your home? What special foods are served? Do you help make the food?

  • Have you ever tried to help cook and been shooed away because you're too young and the grown-ups don't want you to get hurt? What kind of dangers are there in a kitchen?

  • This story is about a specific family long ago in 1912, but it touches on things any family might go through today. What's different and what's similar? What is it about the art that gives she story an old-fashioned feel?

Book Details

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