Sydney Taylor Shmooz review of MY HANUUKAH BOOK OF OPPOSITES

I love this review of MY HANUKKAH BOOK OF OPPOSITES!

My Hanukkah Book of Opposites

by Tammar Stein, illustrated by Juliana Perdomo

PJ Publishing

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Heidi Rabinowitz

The cover of this board book, with its juxtaposition of warm and cool colors in a symmetrical design, immediately presents a feeling of balance. It also offers a conversation starter: adults can ask children to look for opposites such as tall/short and lit/unlit candles, as well as birds facing to the right or left, priming them for the theme before even opening the book.

Within, six pairs of opposites manage to create a narrative, tying together the arrival of guests through the celebration of Hanukkah up until bedtime. The text makes sense chronologically: the people are cold until they go indoors and then they are warm; a platter of latkes is full until they are eaten up and then the platter is empty. Stylish, rounded illustrations depict a diverse gathering of family and friends with a variety of skin tones. Men and boys wear kippot. In a welcome change from many picture books featuring diverse groups, brown children are not "extras" and even get solo scenes on the pages for "Light" and "Asleep." The atmosphere is warm and loving, and offers scenes of joyful togetherness as well as peaceful solitude.

Hanukkah symbols include sufganiyot, dreidels and gelt, latkes, the menorah, and music. In a nicely non-consumerist twist, gifts are not depicted as part of the celebration. A note for  adults on the back of the book gives a brief explanation of the history and customs of Hanukkah.

My only quibble is a minor technical detail. The pair Tall/Short is followed by Dark/Light, and both illustrations include hanukiyot. On the earlier spread, the candles have burned short; on the next spread the candles are slightly taller, as if time had been rolled backwards. However, most readers will not notice this difference, and it does not detract from the overall story.

This book is a PJ Library original, and is available not only to the program's subscribers but also to the general public through Amazon. It will be a welcome addition to bookshelves in homes and preschools. 

Reviewer Heidi Rabinowitz is one of the co-admins of The Sydney Taylor Shmooze, along with Susan Kusel and Chava Pinchuck. She hosts The Book of Life Podcast: A Show About Jewish Kidlit (Mostly) atbookoflifepodcast.com. Heidi is Past President of the Association of Jewish Libraries, and Library Director at Congregation B'nai Israel of Boca Raton, Florida.

Amazing fan letter

I love hearing from you! When I write my books, I do it thinking of my readers, hoping my words will move them or inspire them, entertain them and make them forget about the world for a bit. After the book is written, edited, and published, it’s out there, being read, being reacted to, but unless someone reaches out to share their expirence with me, I don’t actually know whether I succeeded or not.

Which is why I love getting letters. This letter is one of my all-time favorites and I just had to share it with you. (Posted with permission.)

Hi,

My name is Ayelet and I live in Israel. I found The Six-Day Hero one day in a book store two years ago in Rehovot. I started reading it on the bus home and forty minutes later I was at home, still reading. I was 20 at the time and close to finishing my army service (or maybe I already finished, I don’t remember) and when I finished I finally understood what true Zionism and Patriotism felt like here. 

You see, my family made Aliyah in 2013 from the United States (my parents and my family are all from Israel), and despite joining a youth group in high school and knowing the history and the stories and the culture and walking the nature-trails, it just didn’t click for me. I even served in the old city of Jerusalem, watching over the cameras (the comments in the book about all the streets looking the same is SO TRUE) and occasionally I could feel the pride, but it just felt like work with people, you know?

But this book. Something did it for me.

It was so immersive and alive, and maybe the simpler English helped too. I could feel the culture because it’s still here. The clash of cultures at the post office, the ridiculously unfunny jokes in the Bazooka gum wrappers, the cats. I felt so connected to everything. 

After I finished the book I promised myself to read it every Israeli Remembrance Day to remember how it feels and how important it is to be in this country and to be proud of this country.

So thank you for writing this book. I surely won’t forget it any time soon.

A starred review from School Library Journal

I’m so excited and thrilled that School Library Journal loved Beni’s War! This book is so near and dear to my heart. It’s always scary to send a book out into the world, like watching your kid board a school bus, hoping the other kids at school will be nice to her, but knowing that not everyone will be kind. Some people will think she’s weird. Some people will call her names. Some people will just ignore her, walking right by her and never even looking. But sometimes, your kid goes to school and makes wonderful new friends. She meets amazing teachers and…okay, lol, I think you get what I’m trying to say and this metaphore has been extended long enough.

Here’s what they wrote:

*STARRED STEIN, Tammar. Beni’s War. 280p. Kar-Ben. Nov. 2020. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781541578869; pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781541578876.

Gr 5-7–A sequel to The Six-Day Hero, this historical novel set during Israel’s Yom Kippur War is a coming-of-age story about the importance of love, courage, and acceptance. Twelve-year-old Beni and his family have just moved to a new community, and Beni hates it. Worst of all are the bullies. Beni wishes he could be brave like his brother Motti, who is in the army. He knows how to be a hero. But Yom Kippur is not even half over when Motti must leave. Suddenly, the country is at war. As everyone tries to evacuate, bombs begin to fall. Relocating to safety, all they can do is wait. Yet life must go on. Beni makes friends with an unlikely trio, and together they dream of helping the war effort. When they learn that Motti is a prisoner of war in Egypt, Beni knows he must act—but will he succeed? Utilizing the perspective of one boy caught between confidence and fear, Stein masterfully weaves together the country’s rich cultural heritage and tenacity with the anxieties and sorrows of war. Using strong characters, striking landscapes, and accurate historic details, she provides a gripping glimpse of Israel in the 1970s. Readers will be motivated by Beni’s perceptiveness and inspired by the strength he demonstrates through acceptance—even towards the enemy. VERDICT Radiating a sense of hope grounded in love of family and community, Beni’s story rises above the historic details of war and provides an important perspective for those living in uncertain times.–Rebecca Redinger, Lincoln Park Branch, Chicago P.L.

The first review...

It’s always a bit nerve-wracking to read a published review of one of my books, so it was with a bit of anxiety that I read the first one of Beni’s War, which will be published in November, 2020. Thankfully, it was a lovely review!

Kirkus Reviews wrote: 1970s Israel is fully realized with loving attention to detail, and subplots about daily human concerns further round out the characters…Readers coping with shattered contemporary realities will recognize themselves in a child’s fears and growing empathy.

My favorite part of the review was this passage: But life goes on, even in a national crisis. Beni learns about fixing cars, becomes friends with the boys who were once his enemies, and always, always, worries about Motti. 

I hope Kirkus inspires you to read Beni’s War, and if you do, please post a review!

More later,

Tammar

A letter from Singapore

We moved to Singapore in September for the adventure of it all. Four months later, with the mysterious and infectious coronavirus spreading through Asia, the phrase “be careful what you wish for” dances mockingly through my mind. We have found ourselves in an adventure, all right, but not the kind we expected.

Known for its clean streets, award-winning food, and extremely low crime rate, Singapore is a city of planners. Pretty much since their traumatic experience with SARS in 2003, Singapore has been preparing for a similar type of outbreak.

Once the first case of the virus was diagnosed in Singapore on January 23, there was a press conference with several government ministers to explain what happens next. 

If this were a Hollywood movie, this would be the scene when a soaring orchestral suite with glorious trumpets played as the panel members slow-mo walked, a steely glint in their eye. There was no music, no drama to the panel, but I swear the steely glint in their eye was there, seeming to say “I was born for this.” 

The panel explained the following: the country has a warehouse stockpiled with a 6-month supply of masks and disinfectant. Don’t worry about running out.

Going about my day, using public transportation, shopping in the wet market, in the stores, there is a feeling of calm focus. It’s not exactly the same relaxed mood as before, and there are a few people wearing masks, but there’s this feeling of trust. Yes, there’s potential for danger. But we trust the government. We’re in good hands. 

This morning, the superintendent of my children’s school sent a message to all families. As had seemed inevitable all along, there was now a direct connection between an employee at the school and the virus. However, the email explained who the staff member interacted with, what days he was at school, when his parents who were visiting from China arrived and when they fell ill. Because of the protocols set forth by the government this employee had not been at school for over a week, long before his parents began showing symptoms. Therefore, it is unlikely they were infectious while the employee was at school. In an abundance of caution, the school would deep clean and disinfect all of the employee’s touchpoints at the school.  

As a parent, I was grateful to know what was going on and relieved that the risk of infection for the kids at school was miniscule. As a writer, I appreciated the calm and clear tone of the email. There was no panic, only commonsense measures and explanations.

I don’t know what will happen next with the coronavirus. No one knows how bad it might get. But I do know this. Smart policy decisions have already made a huge difference here in Singapore. Having plans set in place made it easy to think clearly during a stressful time. This isn’t the adventure we signed up for, but seeing Singapore rise to the challenge has truly been inspiring.

Stay safe, wash your hands, and keep in touch.

Much love to you all,

Tammar

Gardens by the Bay, at night. They’re not worried about the Coronavirus.

Gardens by the Bay, at night. They’re not worried about the Coronavirus.

Just a pregnant monitor lizard crossing the path. Nothing to worry about.

Just a pregnant monitor lizard crossing the path. Nothing to worry about.

Still not worried…

Still not worried…

 
Art made from plastic found in the ocean. Beautiful. But I am worried this problem will outlast the coronavirus.

Art made from plastic found in the ocean. Beautiful. But I am worried this problem will outlast the coronavirus.

Mother's Day, every day

I wrote an essay about my new niece Lily and my beloved mom, Liora. My mom passed away a couple of years before Lily was born so they never got to meet but there’s no doubt in my mind that they would have fallen instantly and forever in love with one another.

Something very scary happened when Lily was born and for a few days, none of us knew whether Lily would be okay. Though she wasn’t physically here with us, my mom helped all of us get through that terrifying week. The essay in this month’s issue of Hadassah Magazine. In case you want to read it, here it is.

Happy mother’s day to all you mothers and all you children. Even if you, like me, no longer have your mother living, I hope you celebrate the gift of having her in your life for as long as you did.

Much love to you all,

Tammar

Brave

in ,

Being brave can look really different. You’re brave when you run into a burning building when everyone else is running out. (Thank you, firefighters everywhere!)

You’re brave when you put on a weapon and go out into the dark streets to stop people who have stolen, who have broken laws, who have hurt others. (Thank you, police everywhere!)

You’re brave when you decide it’s okay to accept a lower paying job because it makes the world a better place and you’re willing not only to give your time and energy to make that happen, but also willing to endure a less comfortable life. (Thank you, teachers, social workers, public defenders and every employee at a non-profit!)

And while it looks different from the bravery above: you’re brave when you write. Especially when you write your truth. When you write from your hopes and your dream. When you let your secret fears and your hidden pain out from where they’ve been hiding.

It’s brave to try something hard and new. It’s brave to share it with others.

Some people will like what you write. Some people won’t. That’s where being brave comes in.

It takes courage to keep writing. It takes courage to keep sharing.

So take heart, my dear ones. Be brave. In whatever form that might take. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

More later,

Tammar

Grateful

in ,

Hello dear ones,

I’ve been thinking about the five languages of love and how our society has focused on gift-giving as the most authentic one to show you care. (Have you heard of this theory? There are 5 main ways people show each other that they love them: kind words, acts of service, quality time, physical touch, and giving gifts.) I get that, I mean, no one’s spending their 6-figure marketing budget to tell you to give people back rubs or to put away the laundry. The return on their investment wouldn’t leave their shareholders happy. (Although maybe they would be happier if they were getting back rubs and their boo took the trash without being asked? This bears further thinking…)

Regardless, I love that we have Thanksgiving before launching into the shopping/giving/getting frenzy of December. We can just eat and hang out and maybe even go around the table and say what we’re grateful for before we dig in.

I hope you have a wonderful meal with people you like, and that you remember to use all your languages to show them how much you care.

And since the sixth, previously undiscovered, love language is food, here’s one of my favorite fall recipes to share with you. If you double the recipe and give one away, you’ll be speaking so many languages at one: gift, service, food, and if after you hand it over you also give them a hug and tell them you love them, you’ll be speaking in touch and king words too. A polyglot in love. What a beautiful thing.

Thank you for reading my books!

Tammar

Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Bread

1 can pumpkin puree

1/2 cup vegetable oil (I’ve used olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, literally whatever I have laying around)

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour (I sometimes swap in 1/2 cup whole wheat flour)

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon ginger

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Heat over to 350. Oil a 9-by-5 inch loaf pan, line the bottom with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix pumpkin, oil, sugar and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Slowly still the flour mixture into the wet mixture. Add chocolate chips.

Pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake 60-70 minutes. Inserted toothpick should come out clean.

This recipe easily doubles. Make one to keep and one to give away to your favorite neighbor.

Enjoy!