Four Sides, Eight Nights: A New Spin on Hanukkah

by Rebecca Tova Ben-Zvi, Susanna Natti (Illustrator)

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Hanukkah holiday, centered on the children's game of dreidel (a spinning top). Includes the history and customs of the holiday, trivia, a song, science facts, and many jokes. Also, the personalities, from Bible heroes and heroines to an astronaut spinning a dreidel in zero gravity. And dreidels, from diamond-encrusted to Space Age to the giant Dreidel House on the Rutgers University campus.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Judaism

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Also writes as [Author: Rebecca O'Connell|118813]

Reviews

[Kirsten]

A great book to learn about the origins of Hanukkah and the traditions that surround it--dreidels, the Maccabees, Judith and Holofernes, latkes, gelt and much more. The right amount of information to help someone like me feel like I know a little bit more about this lovely celebration than just the Dreidel song--although you learn about where that song comes from, too!

[Connie T.]

This little book packs quite a bit of information about the history and traditions of Hanukkah. We're told the history of dreidels and tops, how to play, the odds of landing on a particular side, and the physics of the spinning top. We're introduced to the Maccabees, Judith and Holophernes, two Hannahs and other historical figures. Latin, Hebrew and Yiddish terms are explained. The only thing missing is a recipe for latkes.
The book opens (prior to the start of Chapter 1) with a series of quotes as if children are talking and telling the reader about their favorite part of Hanukkah. It closes in a similar way with quotes discussing various gift giving traditions. Likewise Chapter 3 begins "At our house..." I found this breaking of the barrier between author and reading a bit confusing. There is one author but multiple points of view so I don't know who is "talking" to the reader. Other than this, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned quite a bit from it.
The black and white illustrations are engaging.

[BookOfLife]

Hear an interview about Four Sides, Eight Nights with author Rebecca Tova Ben-Zvi on The Book of Life podcast's December 2005 episode at www.jewishbooks.blogspot.com.

[Kevin]

Great book to learn about Hanukkah. Author does a great job of teaching about the holiday so anyone not familiar with the holiday can understand. Recommend this book.