Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Sadie loves school and she loves Hanukkah. When her teacher says they’re going to make their own menorahs (special candlesticks), Sadie is delighted. She rolls the clay, kneads it and shapes it. Then she pokes holes in it to hold eight candles. Finally, she rolls another ball of clay, puts a hole in it and attaches it to the top. That is for the shammash, the candle used to light all the others. The children paint their menorahs and sing songs.
Sadie can’t wait to show her mummy her menorah, but in her excitement, she trips and drops the menorah. It smashes into bits all over the floor. Only the shammah is left intact. Poor Sadie! How will she enjoy Hannukah now? Luckily, her mummy has a very special idea.
This gentle story beautifully captures the excitement of a young child looking forward to an important festival, and the delight of making something that can be part of that. Young children will see themselves in Sadie and will empathise with her breaking her own creation.
Divided into days of the week, as Hanukkah is, this tale will be an annual favourite.
