"Skylar and her two dads have gone on a beach vacation over winter break. Unfortunately, the Jewish family brought only their Hanukkah candles, not the menorah. Inspired by a real event, Wind tells a story of finding a creative replacement for the candle holder in the form of a banana! Skylar first worries that the holiday will not feel "comfy. And cozy. Tried and true and everything I was used to." But as she chooses a different item on which to place the candles each night, like a bag of granola or sculpted tinfoil, she creates a new tradition for their family, even after they return home. Contained within is a subtle reference to the Hanukkah miracle of the candles sustaining despite a lack of resources. Digital cartoonlike images depict a family that presents white, colorful beach scenes, and page spreads of the nontraditional candle lighting rituals. Readers will find visual hints as to what item Skylar will choose next. Through language and onomatopoeia, this makes for a delightful read. VERDICT An engaging book depicting a family's fun and unique spin on their Hanukkah celebrations."

-School Library Journal

"When a family forgets their menorah at home, a child's alternatives inspire a new family tradition.

Daddy, Papa, and their child take a beach vacation over Hanukkah. Narrating in the first person, the little one describes feeling far from the comforting familiarity of home. Just before sunset, the parents realize that they've packed the candles but not the menorah. That's when the child has an idea: to stick the candles into a banana. Voilà--banana menorah! By the next night, the banana has started to rot and needs to be replaced with something else (a bowl of granola). The pattern continues until the family goes home midway through the holiday. Returning to familiar routines feels good, but the child soon misses the fun of inventing new menorahs. The family decides to embrace both tradition and creativity, keeping their well-loved menorahs while also making new ones. The exposition in the initial pages is a bit heavy-handed, but the book hits its stride when the new menorah ideas begin to flow. Each new menorah is unveiled on its own full spread, creating strong comedic timing that builds anticipation for the next wacky idea. In case kids aren't already bursting with a desire to try out their own ideas, backmatter provides prompts and safety tips. A concluding note briefly explains the holiday and reveals that the story was inspired by the author's real-life experience. Daddy and the child are tan-skinned; Papa is pale-skinned.

A Hanukkah tale sure to ignite kids' creativity."

-Kirkus Reviews

"The delightful picture book 'Banana Menorah' by Lee Wind and illustrated by Karl West (Apple and Honey Press) portrays the creativity that makes Hanukkah such a fun holiday. The unnamed young narrator is on vacation with her Daddy and Papa, when they realize they forgot to bring a menorah with them. She cleverly turns a banana into a menorah and then the next night, when the banana is spoiled, she creates another menorah out of granola. The narrator is glad to be home on the fourth night of the holiday and sees the three menorot her family normally uses to be comfy and cozy. However, by the fifth night, she again wants to include something new. The book does a wonderful job showing how it's possible to combine both the tried and the true with something creative."

-The Reporter

Publisher: Apples & Honey Press

Pub date: 2025-11-04

Length: 32 pages