I recently received Noah and the Eight Trucks of Hanukkah by Nancy Rips from Pelican Publishing for a possible review. Coincidentally, in the next (Nov/Dec) issue of Horn Book Magazine, Marjorie Ingall wrote an article, “What Makes a Good Hanukkah Book?” with some excellent suggestions that I will use in my criteria. (1) It should not be a Christmas book passing itself off as a Hanukkah book, using as an example that there is no need for a Hanukkah elf. (2) It should not give the impression that Hanukkah is a major Jewish holiday. (3) It should concentrate on the documented history of the Maccabees rather than the legend of the oil that lasted for eight days.
There are no elves nor any other signs of an adjusted Christmas in this book. Instead there are menorah, latkes, dreidels, and candles as Noah helps his mother prepare for Hanukkah with his only concern how to include the trucks he loves. The tone of the book is lighthearted without the strong holy emphasis found in Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holidays as Noah’s extended family honors his love of trucks with a gift of some variety of truck for each night of Hanukkah. Understanding of the lights is assumed as the candles are lit, but the focus on the meaning of the holiday rests in the bravery of the Maccabees and Noah’s intention to emulate their strong leadership. I think the book would meet Marjorie Ingall’s criteria.
Noah and his book would appeal to a child who has Hanukkah as part of his culture, but it would also appeal to children who just love trucks or to children who like to learn about celebrations that are different from their own. Fortunately, you have time to get a copy before the Hanukkah celebration begins on December 11.