The Hanukkah hunt

PreS-Gr 2--This engaging multicultural Hanukkah story will work best for families already familiar with the holiday. Ruby's cousin Avital is sad because her mom will be on a business trip during Hanukkah. To cheer her up, Ruby creates a treasure hunt. Each night, she gives Avital a clue, leading her to a different family member's house and a new gift. When Avital's dad nixes a kitten as the final gift, Ruby is stuck--until she discovers that Avital's mom will return the last night, and that becomes the final gift. Avital's family ultimately gives Ruby the kitten instead. Gehl does a nice job of seeding the story with familiar Hanukkah traditions and foods, without distracting from the plot. The illustrations, which are brightly colored, appear to be digital and have a greeting card feel. They alternate between full-bleed single pages and spreads, with close-ups and spot art. The family includes good representation: Avital is mixed race, with a dark-skinned dad and a redheaded mom, and another cousin mentions his "moms." Oddly, Ruby only has one parent mentioned, though the penultimate spread shows an unidentified adult of indeterminate gender. Back matter includes information about the history and traditions of Hanukkah, as well as directions for playing with the dreidel. While this won't work as a Hanukkah primer for the uninitiated, Jewish children will enjoy the embedded traditions, and the plot of the story is engaging. VERDICT A pleasant additional purchase for libraries needing more general Hanukkah books.--Amy Lilien-Harper

One girl's holiday gets off to a less than twinkling start. Avital is despondent because her mom's away this Hanukkah. Kindhearted cousin Ruby is determined to boost Avital's spirits and devises a "huge eight-night Hanukkah treasure hunt," at the end of which the family will give Avital a "big, exciting gift." On the first night of Hanukkah and on every night of the holiday thereafter, Ruby gives Avital a rhyming clue to a gift she'll receive. The mostly small items cheer Avital somewhat, but Ruby still isn't sure about the special surprise. A phone call on the seventh night provides just the inspiration she needs. On the final night of Hanukkah, Ruby surprises Avital with the best possible present and receives a terrific, cuddly gift herself. While the ending is satisfying, though a little sappy, some may wonder why no one communicated with Avital's mom via phone or videoconferencing earlier. Hanukkah traditions are mentioned, but some adults may note that Ruby's gesture, while very thoughtful, seems to focus primarily on the holiday's gift-giving aspects. The colorful, cheery illustrations are laden with holiday symbols but are otherwise bland, and characters' faces aren't individualized. Avital, with dark, curly hair and tan skin, appears biracial; her mom is depicted as pale-skinned with red hair, while her dad and infant sister have light-brown skin and dark curls. Ruby and other family members are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A just so-so, treacly Hanukkah story. (note about Hanukkah, instructions for playing dreidel game) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.