The Littlest Levine - Hardcover

Lanton, Sandy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0761390456 ISBN 13: 9780761390459

Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing ®, 2014

Synopsis

Hannah doesn't like being the littlest Levine. She's too short to hang fruit from the sukkah and too young to light the Hanukkah candles by herself. But when Passover comes, the littlest Levine gets a chance to shine in a big way.

About this title

About the Author:

Sandy Lanton,  a former teacher, earned a BA in Psychology and an MS in Early Childhood Education from Queens  College. She has studied writing at the Vassar Institute for Publishing and Writing, Hofstra University and privately with the late Pam Conrad. In addition to the SCBWI Conferences, she has attended Rutger's On-On-One and the Highlights Foundation Workshop at Chautauqua.

She is the author of  several  picture books: LOTS OF LATKES, the Sydney Taylor Award Winning DADDY'S CHAIR  and 
STILL A FAMILY, A YOUNG CHILD'S STORY ABOUT DIVORCE.   Her rhyming story, BUTTER, BUTTER AND MORE BUTTER was a finalist in the AMERICAN BOOK COOPERATIVE Children's Book Competition.  Her chapter book, THE HAPPY HACKERS is part of a reading program used in many schools.   

Her work has also appeared in magazines such as Appleseeeds, Hopscotch, and Junior Scholastic as well as several anthologies. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Long Island Children's Writers and Illustrators and the Long Island Authors Group.

When she isn’t writing or visiting schools, she enjoys line dancing, crocheting, playing bridge and reading, reading, reading.

Review:

"Hannah hates the feeling of dependency that comes from being the smallest and youngest member of her family: she can't decorate the sukkah, light the Hanukkah candles, or even put the Purim hamentashen in the oven without help from an adult. But Grandpa knows that there's one part of the seder that no one else can do ('Don't worry,' he tells her. 'Soon you'll be glad to be the littlest Levine'). With nightly tutoring, which becomes a beloved ritual for Hannah, Grandpa makes sure that his granddaughter shines when it comes to the most important job for the youngest seder participant: singing the Four Questions. Sunny cartooning from Keay (I Love You All Year Long) and Lanton's (Lots of Latkes) light narrative touch make this story of diligence, identity (both familial and religious), and intergenerational love stand out. Ages 3-8. Illustrator’s agent: Advocate Art. (Feb.)" -- Publisher's Weekly

(Journal)

"For little Hannah, being the youngest in the family is a vexing issue―until it is time for the Passover Seder, and one special honor is given only to her.

Hannah continually laments that she is too small to reach the sink, join brother and sister on the school bus, and even light Hanukkah candles by herself. Grandpa tells her to be patient, as soon her holiday will come. Together, they spend many evenings after dinner in the study, learning something special that will be revealed to the whole family at the upcoming Seder. On the first night of Passover, Hannah takes much pride in reciting the traditional four questions as required by the youngest family member, finally delighted to be the littlest Levine. Generic watercolor drawings in pale spring hues place this intergenerational, observant family in a middle-class, suburban setting. The well-developed storyline provides enough intrigue to engage the littlest listeners and culminates pleasingly.

This should be inspirational to little tykes who are expected to carry on with the tradition and need to understand their larger role in the Seder ceremony. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)" -- Kirkus Reviews

(Journal)

"Hannah doesn't like being the youngest in her family. She is too short to hang fruit in the sukkah, too young to light the Hanukkah candles by herself, she can't reach the sink, and she can't tie her own shoes. Hannah doesn't go to school yet, but Grandpa saves the day when he teaches her that being the youngest is something to be proud of. As Hannah and her family prepare for Passover, Hannah secretly prepares for something else with the help of her grandpa. This is a wonderful story about the importance of being the youngest in the family during the holiday of Passover. The Littlest Levine not only shows the importance of family and traditions but the gift of helping each other out. The bright, colorful painted illustrations are simple yet whimsical and will appeal to young readers. The author includes a brief description of Passover at the back of the book." -- AJL Reviews

(Magazine)

About this edition

• Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing ®
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0761390456
• ISBN 13: 9780761390459
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 24
• Illustrator: Keay Claire