One Yellow Daffodil: A Hanukkah Story

Rating:
Summary: More Than a Hanukkah Story
Review: 30-page picture book. Slightly longer than your average picture book but still short enough for one sitting. Two children invite Morris, the flower vender, to join them for Hanukkah. The holiday brings back painful boyhood memories as he recalls the horrors of the holocaust and the last time he celebrated Hanukkah with his own family. Emotional healing begins when he shares these memories with the Becker family. A perfect introduction to the holocaust for sensitive younger audiences. The holocaust story is not graphic or overwhelming but does portray a strong sense of sadness, hopelessness and loss. Makes a good read-aloud for older students as well.

Rating:
Summary: One Yellow Daffodil
Review: This emotionally engaging story is partly about Hanukkah andpartly about the Holocaust, but is mostly about real people and realfeelings. Morris Kaplan, a lonely man who is a Holocaust survivor, is very kind to Jonathan and Ilana, a brother and sister who come to his flower shop regularly to buy flowers, by giving them more flowers than they actually have the money for. A friendship develops and the children invite Mr. Kaplan to their home to help celebrate Hanukkah. This small kindness changes Morris Kaplan's life---and that of the family. I loved this story and the good feelings it evoked in me. I would recommend this story for all ages.