lady_mair's review
5.0
This captured the feel of the original books so well! Now I want to go and re-read them.
shighley's review
4.0
I adored the All-of-a-Kind Family books growing up. I also completely understand why there seemed to be no surprise when this one a Sydney Taylor Award at the recent ALA YMA's, as it continued her legacy. I don't understand how some can criticize the depiction of the mother in the book; imagine what it's like to be preparing for a major holiday with five daughters twelve and under; I was very harried at times like this with just two children!
My favorite illustration is the one with Gertie stomping her feet, and the expressions on her sisters. I also greatly appreciated the explanations and references in the back of the book.
My favorite illustration is the one with Gertie stomping her feet, and the expressions on her sisters. I also greatly appreciated the explanations and references in the back of the book.
muddypuddle's review
4.0
This is a lovely picture book about a much-loved series for kids that was written almost 70 years ago. Sweet story, telling of Hanukkah traditions, a large Jewish family at the turn of the 20th century, and particularly the making of latkes. Not super crazy about the illustrations, for some reason....
stenaros's review
2.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
I adored the All of a Kind Family books when I was a child, so I was excited to see this book pop up in the Youth Media Awards.
And then I was underwhelmed, perhaps because my expectations were too high. I didn't feel that this picture book captured all that was delightful about the All of a Kind Family, and I didn't love the illustrations.
It might be a nice as a Hanukkah intro, though I'm not Jewish, so can't say for sure.
I adored the All of a Kind Family books when I was a child, so I was excited to see this book pop up in the Youth Media Awards.
And then I was underwhelmed, perhaps because my expectations were too high. I didn't feel that this picture book captured all that was delightful about the All of a Kind Family, and I didn't love the illustrations.
It might be a nice as a Hanukkah intro, though I'm not Jewish, so can't say for sure.
libraryrobin's review
3.0
Nice addition to the series with wonderful notes from the author and illustrator following the story.
bethnellvaccaro's review
4.0
I usually don't include picture books in my reviews, but I was so excited to read this book, I thought I would include it. I LOVED the All-of-a-Kind Family books growing up and I have still enjoyed them as an adult when reading to my own kids. I was excited to see this picture book from one of my favorite illustrators expanding on the stories. this is a great addition to any holiday book collection and is a good read aloud for classrooms. The extra information at the end of the book is also very helpful.
agudenburr's review
3.0
A family story about Hanukkah. This story is very long and would be better as a one-on-one read aloud.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
t's Hanukkah 1912 on the Lower East Side of NYC and the five all-of-a-kind girls, Ella, 12, Henny, 10, Sarah, 8, Charlotte, 6, and Gertie, 4, are very excited. Hanukkah means lightening the Menorah and eating Mama's wonderful latkes with applesauce that she only makes once a year. Everyone is busy with preparing the ingredients for the latkes except Gertie, who's still just a little too young. Mad, Gertie storms off to the bedroom and hides under the bed. She's sure that they'll be sorry when they can't find her. But then Papa comes home and begins looking for her. Will he be able to find Gertie so that she can to the help him with the most important job, lighting the menorah?
This is such a lovely family centered picture book. Everyone works together to make their Hanukkah celebration a joyous time, from working in the kitchen to lighting the menorah in the window for everyone to see. Emily Jenkins and Paul Zelinsky have really managed to capture the feeling of warmth and togetherness of this Eastern European immigrant family that runs throughout the original Sydney Taylor novels. Not an easy task when you are dealing with such a beloved classic series. And this is the perfect way to introduce younger readers to the All-of-a-Kind stories. I just love Zelinsky's boldly colored digital illustrations and the way they really bring the all-of-a-kind family and the Lower East Side to life.
You'll also find lots of additional information about Hanukkah and the All-of-a- Kind novels in the back matter, which includes a glossary of Yiddish terms.
You can also find a detailed Educator Guide HERE
And you can download and print three illustrations from the story for your young readers to color
HERE
And if Mama's potato latkes made your mouth water the way they did mine, and you would like to make some, too, you can find Emily Jenkins' favorite recipe (with comments from Paul Zelinsky) HERE
What a wonderful Hanukkah gift this book would make.
This is such a lovely family centered picture book. Everyone works together to make their Hanukkah celebration a joyous time, from working in the kitchen to lighting the menorah in the window for everyone to see. Emily Jenkins and Paul Zelinsky have really managed to capture the feeling of warmth and togetherness of this Eastern European immigrant family that runs throughout the original Sydney Taylor novels. Not an easy task when you are dealing with such a beloved classic series. And this is the perfect way to introduce younger readers to the All-of-a-Kind stories. I just love Zelinsky's boldly colored digital illustrations and the way they really bring the all-of-a-kind family and the Lower East Side to life.
You'll also find lots of additional information about Hanukkah and the All-of-a- Kind novels in the back matter, which includes a glossary of Yiddish terms.
You can also find a detailed Educator Guide HERE
And you can download and print three illustrations from the story for your young readers to color
HERE
And if Mama's potato latkes made your mouth water the way they did mine, and you would like to make some, too, you can find Emily Jenkins' favorite recipe (with comments from Paul Zelinsky) HERE
What a wonderful Hanukkah gift this book would make.