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TOO MANY LATKES by Richard Codor

TOO MANY LATKES

by Richard Codor & illustrated by Richard Codor & developed by Behrman House Publishing

Pub Date: Nov. 18th, 2011
Publisher: Behrman House Publishing

The first night of Hanukkah turns out to be anything but restful for a poor family, thanks to an overenthusiastic magic potato.

The single spud that a little man hands Dad as he’s coming home from the pencil factory doesn’t seem like much to the four Smalls. “Maybe next time he could also spare an onion,” says Mom. But the one latke she makes turns into five in the pan—and later that night, the single leftover reproduces so exuberantly that the house fills up, pushing the two children out the window and stranding them high atop a teetering tower of taters. The neighbors and Emergency Services personnel are helpless, until the little man reappears to suggest that everyone should just chow down. Along with simple cartoon illustrations that pulse or toggle between two scenes with a tap and the occasional tilt-activated animation, the app offers a self-record option to go with the silent mode or a warm audio narration. Icons lead to four easy side games, from a spinnable dreidel to candles and a menorah with the blessings presented both in English and also spoken or sung Hebrew.

One of many tales featuring an overabundance of latkes, but properly festive (in the end, at least) and with digital enhancements that give this edition a leg up over the forgettable print version (2011).

(iPad storybook app. 6-8)