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!
Why I Love This Book:
- I love the sweet humor and loving togetherness revealed in the text.
- I love the lively illustrations – I can feel the action on every page.
- 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.
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:
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.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 