Margaret Hillert is the author of many beginning-to-read books, including the Dear Dragon series. Happy Hanukkah, Dear Dragon has the same elements as these earlier books, including a text comprised of common sight words. The book has the feel of beginning readers from the author’s early period of productivity of thirty years ago, which is not necessarily appealing to children today. Illustrations are colorful and simple. Jewish content is limited to symbols peppered throughout the book, though never mentioned by name. A boy puts on a kippah, his father lights a menorah, the two boys play dreidel and eat latkes. A word list of the sixty-one words used follows the text, as do hints for reading reinforcement. An additional purchase for Judaica libraries.
Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
