Review | How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague

Description: Little dinosaurs are questioned about and then taught what appropriate behavior is for celebrating Chanukah.

Story Review: Jane Yolen’s collection of How Do Dinosaurs… (How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night, How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You, How Do Dinosaurs Go to School, etc.) books have been a long time favorite of mine; so I was interested when I saw her newest addition: How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? Despite not celebrating Chanukah, I use to work with a lot of Jewish people and every time Chanukah rolled around it was always fun for me to participate in Chanukah activities with them and learn more about the holiday and it’s traditions. Yolen does a great job of incorporating a lot of these traditions into this picture book. Her rhyming is clever and doesn’t seem forced.

Compared with the array of Christmas picture books that are on the market, it’s nice to see a great book being added to the collection of Chanukah books that are available. Whether you celebrate Chanukah or not, I think all will enjoy this book.

Illustrations Review: Mark Teague is fantastic illustrator. The illustrations add to the story and do a great job of showing more than just what the words say. The colors are vibrant and the dinosaurs are detailed and have tons of personality; I love them.

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Story Rating:  1/2

Illustrations Rating: