"This dreidel doesn't work!" the father had cried. "What do you mean? How can a dreidel not work?" the shopkeeper asked. It was certainly the most beautiful spinning top the shopkeeper had ever seen, with magical golden letters on its sides. But it just would not spin for two spoiled children who insisted on owning it! Later, the shopkeeper decides to try it one last time: would it spin for another child, one who carried the true spirit of Hanukkah in his heart? In this beautiful holiday story by award-winning author Martha Simpson, and brought to life by the imaginative illustrations of award-winning illustrator D. Yael Bernhard, the happiness and joy of the Hanukkah miracle will warm the heart of young and old alike with its simple message: wonders still occur for those who are ready for them. Included is a useful appendix that explains Hanukkah, and an explanation on how to play the dreidel game.

 

This book was recognised in the Interior Design category by the Benjamin Franklin Award.

There are 32 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2014 by World Wisdom Books .

Durga Yael Bernhard is an award-winning illustrator and author of many fiction and non-fiction books for children, including concept books, natural science titles, and multicultural folktales. She is also a fine artist known for her religious and family-oriented themes, and a children's teacher of Hebrew, Judaic Studies, and art. She lives in New York's Hudson Valley. Martha Seif Simpson is head of children's services at Stratford Library Association in Stratford, Connecticut. Lynne Perrigo is a children's librarian in Westport, Connecticut. She is also a storyteller and white-face clown.