Celia Gurevitch Jewish Community Library

Too often, when reading books to children we skip the dedication. In the case of Nathan’s Hanukkah Bargain by Jacqueline Dembar Greene I would advise against it. It reads, “Affectionately dedicated to all our Grandpas, because they always understand. – J.D.G.” Surely, the 9-12 year old target audience wuold understand it. The multidirectional affection shows up throughout the pages. Grandpa is shown as wise, warm, understanding figure both in text and in Steffi Karen Rubin‘s three-tone pictures. In return his grandson Nathan respects him and inspired him. In his search to find the perfect menorah for Hanukkah he could buy with the five dollar he saved they set out shopping. The first few shops had lots of options, but none of them was right. After Grandpa shares his childhood memory of bargaining with peddlers, Nathan takes the initiative and talks down the price of the kind of Hannukah he was looking for at an antique (or thrift store if you wish) store. They return home with the great experience, a new skill, some bonding memories and last but not least the object they set out for. Don’t we all wish for this kind of grandpas and days?