Banana Menorah by Lee Wind, with illustrations by Karl West; Milburn, New Jersey: Apples & Honey Press; (c) 2025; ISBN 9781681-156811;32 pages; $19.95
SAN DIEGO –A family vacations for several days at the beach at the start of Chanukah, but in their haste they forgot to pack a menorah. They have, however, packed the Chanukah candles. So they improvise each night of their vacation.
The first night, they insert the shamash and another candle into the soft flesh of a banana. The second night they put candles into a bowl of granola. The third, into shiny foil.
The fourth night, they return home and light three menorahs — a fancy metal one, another made from glass, and a child’s menorah made from painted clay.
The fifth night, it was back to improvisation: a hot latkes menorah. The sixth night the candles were inserted into a tray of freshly baked cookie dough. The seventh night (not living in Southern California) they stuck the candles into a glob of snow. And on the eighth night, they lit all their menorahs.
That’s the story intended to be read to kindergarten and first graders. At it’s conclusion, there are helpful instructions about adult supervision, choosing materials that won’t burn; keeping a tray under the menorah in case a candle tips over or drips wax, and never leaving a burning candle alone.
There’s also a quick summary of the Chanukah story and an author’s note that the book is based on an experience that author Lee Wind and his husband had that is now a family tradition.
The book can inspire children to be creative and may result in some wonderful family memories.
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World.