J is for Janucá
By Monica Encarnacion,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Joyful bilingual Hanukkah book honors Latino-Jewish culture.
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What's the Story?
In J IS FOR JANUCÁ, Romero takes readers on a journey through the Spanish alphabet, associating each letter with different aspects of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights celebration. The story follows a brown-skinned Latino family as they prepare for and celebrate Hanukkah together, inviting extended family and friends to join the celebration. Each detailed page is filled with colorful illustrations that bring the festivities to life and captivate the attention of young readers. The text in Spanish and English is detailed and accessible, making it suitable for early readers or for parents to read aloud to younger kids. A Note at the end of the book details The Story of Hanukkah in English and on the opposite page, La Historia De Janucá in Spanish.
Is It Any Good?
This delightful picture book combines entertainment with cultural exploration, promoting understanding and appreciation for diversity. J is for Janucá is a great choice for parents looking to introduce their children to the celebration of Hanukkah, its different traditions and symbols. The story celebrates a multicultural Latino-Jewish community and their unique stories through relatable and vibrant illustrations that weave in the significant colors of Hanukkah -- rich blues, whites, silver, and gold colors are present across illustrations. Melanie Romero has created a book that not only celebrates a specific cultural tradition but also fills a gap in Spanish/English bilingual books, depicting brown-skinned Latino families lighting the menorah, spinning the dreidel, hearing the Hanukkah story, and indulging in latkes and sufganiyot during the eight nights of Hanukkah. Culturally insightful, it provides a valuable intro to Hanukkah for both Jewish and non-Jewish kids, in Spanish and English.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the holiday celebrated in J is for Janucá. What holiday/s does your family celebrate? How are the holiday/s you celebrate the same/different from Hannukah?
What makes the family in this story curious and courageous? How do the kids in this story show curiosity? How does the Jewish community show strength and courage? Why are those important character traits?
Can you relate to this story? What are things you like to do with your family? How do you celebrate holidays together? What traditions have been passed down in your family?
Book Details
- Author: Melanie Romero
- Illustrator: Cassie Gonzales
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , Holidays
- Character Strengths: Courage , Curiosity
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Lil' Libros
- Publication date: October 25, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 10
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Hardback
- Last updated: November 11, 2023
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