Perfect Picture Book Friday: KAYLA AND KUGEL’S HAPPY HANUKKAH Plus CRITIQUE GIVEAWAY

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. Today’s book is definitely a perfect choice for this month since Hanukkah comes very early this year…it starts at sundown on Sunday, November 28.

KAYLA AND KUGEL’S HAPPY HANUKKAH

Written and illustrated by Ann Koffsky

Published by Apples and Honey Press (2020)

Ages: 2-5+

Themes: Hanukkah, family, ingenuity

Synopsis: From Amazon:

I’m Kayla and this is my dog, Kugel. We are getting ready for Hanukkah. KUGEL! We need the Hanukkah candles tonight, not the Shabbat candles. Oh, no Kugel! Just because the soldiers in the Hanukkah story made a mess doesn’t mean you have to.

Celebrate the story of Hanukkah with Kayla and her mischievous dog, Kugel. And don’t forget to light the menorah and play dreidel!

A few endorsements for the book!

Why I Love This Book:

  1. I love the sweet humor and loving togetherness revealed in the text.
  2. I love the lively illustrations – I can feel the action on every page.
  3. I love holiday books – this one is a perfect choice for Hanukkah.

And guess what, dear friends!
Author/illustrator, Ann Koffsky is not only talented…she is generous as well…and she is offering a PICTURE BOOK CRITIQUE (up to 1000-word manuscript) as a giveaway to one lucky winner. Make sure you leave a comment to be entered…and please share this post on your social media for extra tickets in the giveaway hat. And remember, the best way to say thank you to an author is to buy their books, review their books, tell friends about their books, and ask your local library to purchase copies of their books.
Here’s a little bit more about Ann and her books:
Ann D. Koffsky is the author and illustrator of more than thirty books, including Creation Colors, Sarah Builds a School, the Kayla & Kugel series, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor and Shabbat Shalom, Hey. Several of her books have been PJ library selections, and her book  Noah’s Swimathon received a Sydney Taylor notable designation from the Association of Jewish Libraries. 

Ann has also created 100+ greeting cards and products for Hallmark Cards, Costco, Great Arrow Graphics and Rite Lite Judaica. Her work has also been featured in The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jewish Action Magazine, Mishpacha Magazine, and Hadassah Magazine.

And a few more endorsements for the book!

Previously, she was also an editor and art director at Behrman House Publishers and an adjunct professor of art at Stern College for Women.
 Ann lives in West Hempstead, NY with her husband and three children.
You can find her Hanukkah book here: https://www.amazon.com/Kayla-Kugels-Happy-Hanukkah-Koffsky/dp/1681155605
Or here: https://store.behrmanhouse.com/index.php/kayla-and-kugel-celebrate-hanukkah.html
And you can print a free coloring page for it here: https://annkoffsky.com/2020/10/08/kayla-and-kugels-happy-hanukkah/

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Photo courtesy: https://reformjudaism.org


WOW! Have you ever tasted challah? It’s one of the most delicious breads in the world. Here’s how one family used the baking activity to teach life skills.
And here’s a link to a great recipe from the New York Times: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/7199-my-favorite-challah

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend. I’m participating in a webinar presented by the SCBWI of Israel: CRAFTING NONFICTION THAT GRABS KIDS’ IMAGINATION…a Hanukkah gift to all SCBWI members…and a very reasonable cost for nonmembers.

This webinar is free to ALL SCBWI members…you just need to register: https://israel.scbwi.org/vivian/
And anyone who isn’t an SCBWI member can attend for a nominal cost.

17 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday: KAYLA AND KUGEL’S HAPPY HANUKKAH Plus CRITIQUE GIVEAWAY”

  8. Dear Vivian – This event sounds great! I’m a SCBWI member from Ann Arbor, Michigan and have tried to register, but the form doesn’t allow me to check the member box. The Non-Member box is highlighted and I can’t pass “continue” unless I check it. Please advise!!! Happy Thanksgiving and Hanukkah in advance. Carol

    *www.carollevin.us *

    On Thu, Nov 4, 2021 at 9:26 PM VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children wrote:

    > viviankirkfield posted: ” Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. > Today’s book is definitely a perfect choice for this month since Hanukkah > comes very early this year…it starts at sundown on Sunday, November 28. > KAYLA AND KUGEL’S HAPPY HANUKKAH Written and il” >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • Hello Carol,
      Thank you so much for wanting to register!!! I’m not sure why it’s not working for you. I see the spot to enter your SCBWI log in info…but I guess you are saying that it won’t take your info. Can you try to sign in to SCBWI first? And then go to the Israeli event?
      I saw this verbiage: Are you a member of SCBWI?
      If so, please log in before continuing with your event registration.

      But I would think you could use the form they have on the event page. Are you sure you are using the proper password? Please let me know if you continue to have a problem and I’ll reach out to Tzivia, the RA.

      Like

      Reply ↓

      • Because of this glitch, I discovered that SCBWI may have canceled my membership. (my author page is down and I am not listed as a member). I’ll contact them Monday. Meanwhile, the alert seems to be a weird pre-Hanukkah gift. Hope to see you on November 17. You might contact Tzivia to check if it on the calendar.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply ↓

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