  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 10/01/2015 K-Gr 3—In this picture book version of a story first published by Singer as part of a collection, a father relates the story of the time, 10 years ago, that his young son David rescued a parakeet that appeared on their snowy windowsill on the last evening of Hanukkah. Dreidel, as the family named him, is a friendly, tame bird that even speaks a bit of Yiddish ("Zeldele, go to sleep"); the family is overjoyed when no one answers any of their notices advertising a lost bird. Ten years go by, with Dreidel a beloved family member, and then David goes off to college—where he tells the story of Dreidel at a party and a young woman exclaims, "I am this Zeldele!" David and Zelda get married and Dreidel the matchmaker goes off to live with them. VERDICT Friendly cartoon watercolor illustrations and the father's warm, understated narration make this a wonderful choice for a family lapsit and a read-aloud over the holiday season or anytime.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 10/15/2015 David and his family are celebrating the final night of Hanukkah when a parakeet appears outside their Brooklyn window. Dad lets the bird inside, where it makes itself at home eating millet from a saucer, playing dreidel, and speaking Yiddish. When a “found” poster yields no replies, the family decides to adopt the bird, naming it Dreidel. Nine years later, David recounts the parakeet’s story at a college Hanukkah party and is shocked to discover that fellow student Zelda lost her parakeet on the same night. A tearful reunion follows, and the dilemma of who should claim the bird is resolved when David and Zelda marry. Originally published in Singer’s Hanukkah collection The Power of Light (1980), this story makes a successful transition to the picture-book format. Berkson’s black line and watercolor illustrations enhance the text, adding plausible scenes that don’t appear in the original. A final Chagall-like illustration depicts David, Zelda, Dreidel, and a baby flying through the air with a menorah. Perfect for family holiday sharing. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. Loading...
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