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This book shows how a young girl’s mother and father unite the celebrations and traditions from two different cultures. During this holiday season, the girl’s father celebrates Christmas while her mother observes Hanukkah.
Author/illustrator Selina Alko sets the scene with colorful, vibrant, mostly double-page illustrations filled with details and symbols that represent the two holidays: a Christmas tree, menorah, stars and angels, dreidels, gifts, gingerbread houses, candy canes, latkes and the Star of David, to name a few.
The story ends with an illustration of a timeline of holidays, traditions and celebrations from different nationalities from numerous cultures, from Hanukah and Christmas and Kwanzaa to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Easter, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Halloween, Thanksgiving, to Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day.
Besides mentioning a plethora of holidays and celebrations, this politically correct book also makes mention of recycling the wrapping paper during cleanup. Another nice touch is the inclusion of easy recipes for the cranberry kugel, dressing for turkey and mocha eggnog lattes that are mentioned in the story.
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama provides a glimpse at the symbols of Hanukkah and Christmas, so it may be too basic for trying to explain the story and significance of Hanukkah and Christmas to children. However, it is a good book for those who want to introduce their children to the concept and/or discussion of multi-cultural celebrations, or for those children who have knowledge of the holidays and want to affirm their diverse celebrations.
The eye-catching illustrations have a homemade scrapbook or collaged look that conveys a warmth and tradition perfect for this holiday book. Recommended.
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Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama