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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
Very interesting authors note - reason behind creating the story.
Don’t miss the author’s note, which explains his Hanukkah traditions and the inspiration for this fresh story.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Explains, whimsically, why gifts are given during Hanukkah.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a creative take on the Hanukkah story. The author imagines Nate Gadol, a mythical character similar to Santa Claus but who can make oil last for eight days, make a piece of chocolate last longer than it should, a flower longer, and various other items last longer than they rightfully should. Nate is imagined looking over a Jewish family as they emigrate to the United States and befriend an Irish family, lending both families a helping hand as needed. This book is a good way to start a conversation about Hanukkah.
Hold onto your menorahs, there's a new Hanukkah hero in town! Nate Gadol (a clever play on the saying "Nes Gadol" meaning a great miracle) has the ability to make things last longer than they should, like the oil in the original in Hanukkah story. This clever story explains the introduction of presents into the Hanukkah celebration, with more details in the author's note. The sparkly gold in the illustrations, reminiscent of Hanukkah gelt, lights up every page. Add this one to your Hanukkah story repertoire. Highly recommended for grades 1 & up.
With the aim of introducing a new mythological figure to Hanukkah (think about Rudolf or Santa Claus in regards to Christmas), this bright, own-voices picture book presents Nate Gadol, a magical being with the power to make objects stretch. From making one night's worth of lamp oil stretch for 8 nights to stretching out a meager portion of chocolate so there's enough for all the children or stretching much-needed medicine for a neighbor's baby, Nate Gadol is there. This is a great addition to holiday book shelves, particularly if all your Hanukkah offerings count up to 8 or only present the basic religious tenets of the holiday.
Nate Gadol is a larger than life figure in this story whose main task is to make things last longer than they are expected to. Big things like making the little bit of oil last 8 days and nights long ago or turning the small lump of chocolate saved by Mrs. Glaser for her children to celebrate Purim into three larger pieces as they sail to their new home in America. And the Glasers are just as friendly and helpful, especially when it comes to sharing (with a little help from NateGadol) with their neighbors, the O'Malleys. One year, Christmas and Hanukkah arrive on the same day, along with a terrible blizzard. Poor Santa and his sleigh are completely off kilter. It seems people are having trouble believing that year. Helping out, Nate Gadol takes the chocolate Santa has, and in return, sends him off with a sparkling sleigh full of Nate magic. Next morning, there are presents for everyone - a box of goodies for each of the O'Malleys under their Christmas tree, and big bags of Hanukkah chocolate for each of the Glasers. And that is how gift giving became a Hanukkah tradition. After all, Nate Gadol's name says it all - just as it does on two of the four sides of a dreidel: נג nes gadol = a great miracle. This is a fun book that imagines the answer to the question: why are gifts are given for Hanukkah. But, like most Santa and Rudolf stories, which don't change the true meaning of Christmas, this one doesn't change the real Hanukkah story about the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil that last so long.