The Parakeet Named Dreidel

by Isaac Bashevis Singer, Suzanne Raphael Berkson

When young David and Mama and Papa are celebrating Hanukkah one frosty winter evening in Brooklyn, Papa sees a parakeet sitting on the window ledge. He lets the parakeet in and everyone is delighted to find that it speaks Yiddish. They name it Dreidel and it becomes part of their family. Many years later, when David is in college, he is at a party one night and tells Dreidel's story--only to discover that Zelda, a young woman at the party, owned the bird herself as a child. Papa and Mama are worried that they will have to give their beloved pet back, but then David and Zelda decide to get married after college, and everyone agrees that they should take Dreidel with them as they start their own family.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Jewish, Childrens, Animals, Birds, Pets

Paperback

First published September 8, 2015

About the author

Isaac Bashevis Singer was a Polish American author of Jewish descent, noted for his short stories. He was one of the leading figures in the Yiddish literary movement, and received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1978.
His memoir, "A Day Of Pleasure: Stories of a Boy Growing Up in Warsaw", won the U.S. National Book Award in Children's Literature in 1970, while his collection "A Crown of Feathers and Other Stories" won the U.S. National Book Award in Fiction in 1974.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

One snowy day in Brooklyn, the eighth day of Hanukkah to be precise, a family discovers a parakeet outside on the windowsill. When the window is opened, the bird proceeds to make himself at home, and, indeed, when the owner cannot be found, the family adopts the Yiddish-speaking feathered creature. Many years later . . . something amazing happens.

I first read this story many years ago in I Thought My Father Was God and Other True Tales from NPR's National Story Project, where it was sworn to be a true story. Now I'm wondering if that writer stole the idea from Singer, or if the tale is indeed a folktale or an urban legend?

This is gonna bug me for a good long while . . .

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in 1980, in Singer's Hanukkah collection, The Power of Light: Eight Stories for Hanukkah , this holiday tale follows the story of a family and their parakeet. When the tropical bird appears at their Brooklyn window one cold Hanukkah night, the family in the story let him in, and named him Dreidel. When no one answers their advertisement about a lost bird, the family keep Dreidel as a pet, growing ever more fond of the Yiddish-speaking parakeet. Then one day the son of the family, now a college student, meets Dreidel's original owner at a party. Fortunately, the bird brings everyone together, rather than tearing them apart.

Although I guessed from the beginning how this tale would turn out, I still enjoyed reading the story of Dreidel. I was reminded a little bit of Patricia Polacco's For the Love of Autumn , which features an inadvertently match-making kitten. Because it is a Singer story originally intended for adults, the narrator of The Parakeet Named Dreidel is the father, rather than the child, but I think it will still have child appeal. Suzanne Raphael Berkson's artwork had a colorful, Quentin Blake-ish style, and adds to the fun. Recommended to readers looking for good new Hanukkah picture-books.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet holiday story for young and old.

[Roslyn]

I haven't found out anything about this book - whether it's for children (I'm guessing so - must be a board book?), whether it's translated from Yiddish, etc - so it's hard to rate. The story is sweet, if a bit too much 'tell' rather than 'show') and the illustrations charming.

[Margaux · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well that was weird.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute tale of how a lost Yiddish speaking parrot winds up being taken in by a family on a cold, winter night and after many years is the denominator for marriage when present and past owners meet. Playfully illustrated and quite charming.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adaptation of a story that was originally published in Power of Light, Singer's collection of Hanukkah stories. This is a sweet Hanukkah picture book involving a lost Yiddish-speaking parakeet, two families, some Hanukkah magic, coincidence, and romance.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story about a parakeet found on outside on the 8th night of Hanukkah, attracted by the lights of a menorah.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this when I was shelving, and of course I could not resist reading it, because it's a cute book involving a pet bird. This is one of the few books I've ever read that has treated pet birds as loved family members, rather than simply decorations. The story is really sweet, and having lost a beloved bird outside a couple of years ago myself, I especially liked the idea of Dreidel finding a loving home but eventually also being reunited with the original family.

[Lauren Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches the importance and responsibilities of taking care of a pet, in this case a parakeet. The pictures are very detailed and show the troubles that can come along with taking care of a pet, as well as the fun times of being a pet owner.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really sweet and touching Hanuukah tale. Inspired me to take out the short storie collection by Singer on which this picture book was based. I would highly recommend this book for Jewish parents to read to their elementary aged children during the Hanukkah holiday.

[Em Mirra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pending.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

REALLY long!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is darling. I think my students will love the story.

[A. Macbeth reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to an excellent reading by the multi-talented Canadian performer Josh Dolgin, a.k.a. Socalled, in an audio-version of this wonderful Hanukkah kids’ tale about a much-loved little parakeet .
This reading was on CBC RADIO ONE - the AS IT HAPPENS show .
Have a lovely day !

[Erin Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

December Holidays 2023--Germany

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely story and a great intro to playing some dreidel.

[Shoshanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little silly and pat, but cute. My favorite part is the allusion to the work of Chagall in an illustration at the end of the book!

[Ro Menendez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat predictable story that has more to do with a lost pet and how it unites the family that rescues him and the one that lost him than with Hanukkah, but incredibly sweet just the same.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different type of Hanukkah story. This story was originally published in Singer's 1980 Hanukkah antholgy, "The Power of Light: Eight Stories for Hanukkah". This sweet story about a Yiddish speaking parakeet who is rescued one Hanukkah night when he is lost in a storm. Unable to find the owners, he is adopted and becomes a cherished pet. When the son grows up, he disovers that the girl he has been dating is the original owner. Of course his parents are worried that they may have to give up their pet. Ths is not really a Hanukkah story, but one that begins during Hanukkah. It is really a charming story of coincidance and romance. The parakeet becomes a matchmaker! This picture book adaptation stays true to the original story and is told from the point of view of the father. An unusual choice, since most picture books are narrated by the child. But since the story takes place over years as the son is growing up, this provides a consistant tone for the story. The story is charming and the pictures are bright and colorful. The story is not preschool storytime fare. i would recommend it for children five and up.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story about how accidents may have unexpected results is appealing on many levels. As David and his family celebrate Hanukkah, they spot a parakeet on their window. Because the conditions outdoors are not hospitable to a bird like that one, they befriend it, name it Dreidel, and bring it inside. As it turns out, the parakeet speaks Yiddish, and despite their efforts to find its owner, they are unsuccessful. The bird becomes an important part of their lives. Many years later, by chance, David meets the owner of the bird. As it turns out, he and Zelda end up getting married so the bird remains in the family. I loved the family's compassion and attachment to the bird, and how everything turns out well for this Brooklyn family. One never knows what might bring others together.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based upon a story from Isaac Bashevis Singer, this picture book engages the reader with the story of a parakeet that appears outside an apartment in Brooklyn on a cold night during Hanukkah. The family takes the bird in and he becomes a part of the family for the next nine years.While the story will be inviting to young readers and listeners, the small font and wordy pages will hinder new readers. Suzanne Raphael Berkson's whimsical illustrations help to tell the story, but it still would be a challenging read for children. I recommend this title as an additional purchase for those school and public libraries who would like to add more Hanukkah stories to their children's collection.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book adaptation of a previously published short story that works wonderfully. I love the story of the Yiddish speaking parakeet who appears outside the window on a snowy last night of Hanukkah. The Singers advertise for his owner but no one appears so they adopt the bird they call Dreidel. Nine years later, David discovers the original owner and eventually they marry, keeping Dreidel in the family.

Berkson's lovely illustrations are attuned wonderfully to this sweet story and to young readers, adding many humorous scenes. Charming.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was sweet.

It's not often a picture book is narrated by an adult, so that was interesting. I sort of liked having the dad's perspective on things, since he seemed to see the "shades of grey" in keeping the parakeet and in the possibility of returning it to the original owners, whereas a child might not have explained it so well.
I liked the neatly wrapped up ending, even if it was a smidge cliche. Who doesn't love a *little* cliche around the holidays?

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little cheesy, but a very sweet magically-realist book about a lost Yiddish speaking pet parakeet in NYC. Read twice during the holiday as a library book, would get it out again next year to re-read. REALLY don't understand all the low reviews for this one, my family thought it was very sweet, by far my favorite of the Chankukah books available at our local library.

[Jiva Cern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet story about Tsip Tsip (the parakeet named Dreidel) and how it joins two families into one. Even though the tale revolves around Hanukkah traditions, I related to its beautiful message about freedom and love. It's a great tale for the Holiday season, even if you don't personally celebrate Hanukkah.

[Joan Gagan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. I just had a difficult time with the protagonist voice. Usually in children's books the protagonist is a child. In this book he is the boy's father - granted the boy grows to be a man in the book, but for some reason I had to keep reminding myself who was talking.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

although this isn't storytime material I loved it. It made me smile and tear up. A parakeet comes to the window of a home during Hanukkah. The family lets it in but can't find it's owners. They eventually take the bird in and nine years later the owners show up. beautiful ending.

[Tegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story! I was worried about what would happen at the, but it all came together well. What a cute bird.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice family story about a parakeet who comes to live with a family during Hannukah and makes a big impression.