Product Description

A family prepares to celebrate Chanukah for the first time since Mama died — in this heartfelt, bittersweet tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever faced an empty chair at the holiday table.

Three plates, Selma reminded herself. Just three plates this Chanukah.

For Selma and her little sister, Dora, this is their first Chanukah without Mama. When Papa comes home carrying a big bag of potatoes and all the ingredients for latkes, Selma is worried. Mama always made the Chanukah latkes. Could they make them without her? In Michelle Edwards's poignant story, illustrated with Stacey Schuett's warmly glowing artwork, Selma comes to realize that while Chanukah — and especially latkes — will never be the same without Mama, Selma can still celebrate, and will always remember.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1603650 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-23
• Released on: 2004-09-23
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 11.00" h x .39" w x 8.75" l, 1.03 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2–This is the first Chanukah since Selma's mother died, and she and her younger sister carefully follow all of Mama's traditions as they polish the menorah and tell Papa exactly how the latkes should be made. When they turn out fat, brown, and lumpy instead of light and crisp, Selma can't be brave anymore and begins to cry. After a comforting "Skolnick family hug," Papa and the girls continue their evening with candle-lighting and prayers. The poignant text with touches of humor is nicely matched with warm and richly colored oil paintings. Papa is an especially appealing character; his efforts to be jolly don't keep him from offering heartfelt comfort and love to his daughters when they need it. A touching and uplifting story.–E. M.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
K-Gr. 2. This is the first Chanukah since Mama's death, and as Selma and her younger sister ready themselves for the holiday, they can't help but remember the fun the family had preparing in years gone by. Then Papa arrives home with latke ingredients: potatoes, oil, and onions enough "to keep you crying till Passover." But can they make latkes without Mama? Schuett's thickly painted, double-page illustrations hark back decades to a simpler time. Each blends beautifully with quiet, unsentimental words that express grief, unspoken sadness, and fear of the future as well as the love the characters share. This is a stirring, tender portrait of beloved children and a single father doing his best to help his daughters celebrate their mother's memory by building new traditions atop fondly remembered old ones: "Happy Chanukah, Mama." Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Michelle Edwards is the author-illustrator of many books for children, including CHICKEN MAN, winner of the National Jewish Book Award, and the Jackson Friends series. She is also the co-author, with Phyllis Root, of WHAT'S THAT NOISE?, illustrated by Paul Meisel. She says, "I wrote PAPA'S LATKES one very cold Chanukah morning when the house was still filled with that rich Chanukah smell of potatoes, onions, and oil — latkes from the night before."

Stacey Schuett has illustrated many books for children, including PURPLE MOUNTAIN MAJESTIES by Barbara Younger. PAPA'S LATKES is her first book with Candlewick Press. She says, "This is a lovely story, and I wanted the paintings to reflect the love and warmth in the family, despite the pain of missing their mother."