This year's latest addition to Jewish children's literature is not to be missed!
What? A Hanukkah story involving antlers?
Bruce Bruce the Hanukkah Moose is not—despite what skeptics might speculate—a sanitized version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for Jewish kids. Instead it is a delightful, contemporary Jewish parable about the wish to fit in and its gratification through self-confidence and self-acceptance.
Set in an entirely Jewish world “peopled” by critters, the book is a long-awaited and welcome addition to the libraries of all Jewish families, but particularly to the bookshelves of non-traditional families and families of color whose parents are constantly confronted by the dearth of books that depict anything but pale-skinned, European-descended Jews with large, intact families and heterosexual parents. Nothing wrong with those books and the large audience for them, of course, but many Jewish children’s experiences have been left out of what’s traditionally been available.
Written by Howard and Elaine Behnken for their son Reno, Bruce Bruce emerged in response to their young son’s challenge, “Why are there so few Hanukkah songs?” Howard and Elaine said they didn’t know the answer, but they “offered to write one to make him happy and to right this great injustice.” That’s a parable in itself for all of us desperate parents who are trying to secure the appeal of our own holiday traditions for our children!
Allison Reimold's whimsical illustrations make this a winter tale all children can enjoy.
Allison Reimold’s warm illustrations bring the Behnkens’ story to life. Not too silly and not too sappy, the accessible images provide both depth and whimsy.
On the accompanying CD, Howard sings and reads the stories, and then Reno—now a fifth-grader—does the same. Reno’s exuberant and heartfelt rendition is sure to capture the imagination of young listeners and the wanna-be rock stars among them. The CD is crowned by a karaoke version of the song, making it easy to stage your own family performance at home!
And if you’re looking for Hanukkah heroes besides warriors, Bruce is your man, er, moose. His heroics are one even the youngest child can emulate:
Some heroes’ power is strength.
Some heroes’ power is mental.
Some heroes don’t know why they are heroes.
Some are just accidental.
Available from Howard’s House, the hardback book includes a CD with an audio book and three versions of the hit song, $19.99. A portion of the proceeds will go toward planting trees in Israel.
Copyright © 2008 Corinne Lightweaver. Illustration by Allison Reimold and lyrics by Howard Behnken and Jayce Murphy excerpted by permission.
