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The Light from My Menorah

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The dazzling light from a menorah takes a young boy on a journey around the world, introducing him to the holidays of many cultures that celebrate light.
  • 10 September 2024
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The light from a menorah takes a young boy on a fantastical journey around the world to experience different festivals of light, and the people who celebrate them.

Nothing brings communities together like the warm glow of a lamp or candle flame, illuminating people and the stories they tell. In The Light from My Menorah, a young boy celebrating Hannukah follows his menorah’s light as it twists and turns in the night sky, carrying him to mountains, deserts, and even into space. On his journey he sees families from around the world sharing food and togetherness as they celebrate their own special holidays, lighting diya for Diwali, kinara for Kwanzaa, crowns of candles for St. Lucia Day, krathongs for Loy Krathong, and strings of lights for Christmas.  

Illustrator Andrea Blinick’s luminous mixed-media art creates a dazzling world filled with sparkling light and warmth, while Robin Heald’s beautiful free-verse text evokes the quiet wonder of a holiday night. An author’s note offers further information about Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, and Loy Krathong.

“The Light From My Menorah, is a new book by Robin Heald, which lyrically emphasizes not only the light of her menorah, but how our world is filled with light, traveling from day into night and back again…as well as into the worship or celebration of other religions and countries.”—Jane Yolen, author of  Owl Moon, the How Do Dinosaur picture books, and 400+ other books

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Price: $18.95
Pages: 32
Publisher: Pajama Press Inc.
Imprint: Pajama Press
Publication Date: 10 September 2024
Trim Size: 10.00 X 9.00 in
ISBN: 9781772782899
Format: Hardcover
BISACs: JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / General, Picture storybooks, JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Hanukkah, JUVENILE FICTION / Diversity & Multicultural, JUVENILE FICTION / Stories in Verse (see also Poetry), Children's / Teenage general interest: Celebrations, holidays, festivals & special events, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Places & peoples
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Praise for The Light from My Menorah

2025 School Library Journal “10 Nonfiction Titles Showcasing Holidays Around the World” Feature

The Children’s Book Council “Hot Off the Press: September 2024” Feature

“Emphasizing hope, beauty, and unity, this quietly powerful story demonstrates that people honor traditions in unique ways, while all are recognizing comfort and love as symbolized by light.”—School Library Journal

“Glowing light swirls around the planet, connecting a wide variety of holiday celebrations in this warm, cozy, lyrical picture book....It’s an artful, evocative representation of an element that connects many fall and winter holidays across the globe.”—Booklist

“A glowing ribbon winds through the pages, providing a lovely visualization of the metaphorical light that different traditions all bring to the world....A shining paean to winter traditions around the globe.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, and Loy Krathong...are portrayed broadly in the work. A glimmering stream appears throughout Blinick’s layered digital artwork.”—Publishers Weekly

“The Light from my Menorah is a bright and fascinating way for children to learn about the role light plays in various holiday traditions.”—YA Books Central

“This book is a lovely meditation on various holidays from around the world that sparkle with light and warmth. A gentle introduction to the special days of other religions, emphasizing what they all have in common.”—All Done Monkey

Robin Heald lives in Ashland, Oregon. Before her 30-year career as a drama teacher and preschool director Robin was a stage manager in regional theaters, and on and off-Broadway. Her previous works include Pat, Roll, Pull and Liberty Saves the Day, and her articles have appeared in Exceptional Parenting Magazine and Children’s Literature in Education. Robin’s picture book Isadora’s Sandálias won the Katherine Paterson Prize for unpublished children’s literature at Hunger Mountain in 2015. Her most recent picture book is Whistling for Angela. Robin holds a master’s of fine arts in writing for children from Spalding University.