Grandma's Latkes

by Malka Drucker, Eve Chwast (Illustrator)

As Grandma and Molly prepare latkes for the family's traditional Hanukkah meal, Grandma explains the custom of eating latkes and discusses the historical background and traditions of Hanukkah.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Food, Childrens, Holiday

32 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Malka Drucker is an American rabbi and author living in Idyllwild, California. Ordained in 1998 from the Academy for Jewish Religion, a transdenominational seminary, Drucker was the founding rabbi of HaMakom: The Place for Passionate and Progressive Judaism, in Santa Fe for fifteen years.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 stars for the illustrations, 3 for the text, albeit with the concession that it probably isn't that easy to write an informative story about two people grating potatoes.

Parents may want to set kids straight on a couple factual errors in Grandma's narration, that ancient Jews did not actually eat potatoes, for example, and perhaps also discuss ethical questions such whether it was ok for Mattathias to murder of the 'grubby little man' and the soldier because they offended his religious beliefs.

I haven't tried the recipe included in the back and I'm not going to because it sounds soggy. I was taught to dry (press or strain) the potatoes before mixing in the other ingredients -- how can you "pour out excess liquid" once the egg is added?

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly and her grandmother make latkes together in this engaging and educational Hannukah story, in which cooking is combined with history. Picking up some useful kitchen tips - like fishing broken eggshells out of a bowl with another piece of egg shell - Molly also learns the ancient story of the Maccabees and their revolt against Antiochus, as well as the miracle which occurred in the temple, after the tyrant was overthrown. Grandma's delicious recipe (with instructions to get an adult to help) is included at the rear.

I found Grandma's Latkes to be an enjoyable family holiday story, one that features a warm grandmother-granddaughter relationship, and appealing woodcut illustrations. My two-fold caveat in recommending it would be 1) grandma tells Molly that the ancient Jews, although they didn't have Hanukkah, cultivated and ate potatoes, which is difficult to imagine, as they were native to South America, and weren't introduced to the rest of the world until after 1492 (this sort of mistake, although small, always bothers me); and 2) the description of the beginning of the Maccabean revolt has Mattathias murdering, not just the soldier sent to tempt him with pork, but the "grubby man" who considers eating pork himself. Although I understand the historical context, having such an event depicted in such an unquestioningly heroic fashion was a little troubling to me. I guess we're meant to understand that he's a (grubby) traitor, and that that is what one does with traitors? In any case, leaving these two issues aside, I do think this was otherwise a sweet little story, and recommend it (with the caveat that adults should discuss some of the issues with young readers) to those looking for family stories at Hanukkah.

[Brandy Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story tells a story within a story as Molly and her grandmother make latkes for Hanukkah. It tells the tale of the Antiochus, Mattathias, and Maccabees. This story expresses and celebrates its religious connection and gives meaning to the tradition of making and eating latkes. The cultural group being represented is Jewish and many customs are explained and included such as not eating meat from a pig. It has a rich plot that tells of the Jews escape and triumph over their enemy. Its like passing on a story from one generation to the next generation. The illustrations are sure to hold young audiences attention as they learn of Hanukkah and why it is celebrated. This story does not intentionally exclude any cultural group or put down one as it explains its own. It highlights a large family and their traditions in a colorful light.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Main theme is about why latkes are part of the Hannukah celebration while explaining how to make them. Lovely grandmother-grandchild interaction.

The illustrations are woodcuts colored with watercolor. Children might need a little guidance to appreciate them fully.

Some parents (mainly Christian) may want to read the story first since there is a not-so-subtle comparison of Antiochus' insistance everyone worship Greek Gods to the possibility of requiring Christmas and forbidding Hannukah.

Other parents might want to be prepared to discuss Mattathias' murder of a 'grubby little man' and a soldier because of opposing beliefs.

If not for these two small concerns, I'd have wanted to add this to the classroom library.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This holiday picture book takes us into Grandma's kitchen as she makes potato latkes and also explains the miracles of Hanukkah to Molly. I shared this book with my students, and it made us all hungry for these potato pancakes fried crispy in oil. If the book has your mouth watering, the author has included a recipe.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. I like the illustrations and how the story talks about the Hanukkah story and has a love of latkes. Personally, it would have been nice if more was touched on for the Hanukkah traditions or simply focused on the latkes. It felt like they were plugging in some facts near the end versus developing the story of the latkes and family tradition. If they were going that direction, I think it would have been beneficial to talk about different customs for celebrating the holiday like playing dreidel, blessings, gifts, etc. I do like the illustrations of the book and also like that the recipe for making Grandma's latkes is included in the back.

[Rebecca Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of carrying on tradition is lovely, but it is irresponsible to gloss over a religious murder. Yes, oppression is a powerful motivator for a strong defense, but murder in the name of God is not excusable and should not be talked of so casually. I had to think carefully before reading this to my boys and raising the question of how the man could have stood up for his beliefs without taking a life.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little girl helps her grandmother make latkes and is told the story of Hanukkah. The grandmother explains that this is how she learned to make latkes, and that this is how the recipe has been passed down from generation to generation. A wonderful introduction to Hanukkah for people who may not be familiar with this important Jewish holiday.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative story, at times a little too much information that can be confusing. There are no glossary or history pages to inform readers of the historical accounts. This can lead to children wanting to read other books for clarification.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grandmother teaches her granddaughter about the Maccabees and how Hanukkah traditions got started.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The is a simple picture book with a fairly straight forward explanation of Hanukkah mixed with a lesson on latke preparation. Might be a bit much for younger grades, but the older elementary could handle it.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of a girl and her grandmother making latkes, while slowly the story of Hanukkah is told. I would say this would be a more relatable story for someone who was Jewish, than someone looking to broaden their cultural understanding.

[Michelle White]

I didn't really like this book, however I think some students might because they would realate to the relationship with the grandmother. I got it from the IUS Library.

[Miss Kious · Rating 4 out of 5]

recipe for latkes

summary of the history behind Hanukkah (oil lasted for 8 days, war, mildly graphic)

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Latkes = yummy i read this book as a read aloud in 2nd grade then my christian teacher (im also christian got nothin against jewish people) made them the next or the same day

[Ed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the story and the recipe. Not too wild about the illustrations.

[Mrs.Capuano · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely combination of the Hanukkah story and a recipe for latkes, and an explanation of how they go together.

[Kristen Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Talks about the history of Hanukkah. Good story for around christmas time.