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Sofia’s Bookshelf – Latkes for Santa Claus

November 17, 2021 6:45 pm , hbludman

It’s another Thanksgivukkah this fall of 2021, meaning an overlap of Thanksgiving weekend with Hanukkah. So, if your household is like mine, the holiday menu includes turkey and potato latkes and apple pie and jelly doughnuts. I am thrilled that Sofia and family will be home for the holiday weekend. In between cooking and eating and playing we will read an adorable new book together, “Latkes for Santa Claus.” I know she will love it.

Latkes for Santa Claus

Author Janie Emaus has written a modern day story that will delight children and their families. Anna is a little girl who becomes part of a blended family, with a new father and stepbrother Michael who are not Jewish. Intrigued by the notion of Santa Claus, Anna speculates that Jolly Saint Nick must be up to here with so many cookies left by thoughtful boys and girls. Surely he would appreciate another kind of treat after his long trip from the North Pole.

She considers matzo ball soup. Santa can’t eat soup with his fingers, Michael tells her. What about noodle kugel? Same problem, Michael chimes in. Tzimmes (a vegetable stew) is yummy. What about that? Michael nixes that one as well. He maintains that his sugar cookies are exactly the right treat for Santa.

Anna realizes she needs a treat that Santa can eat with his fingers that won’t get his red coat messy. What could it be?

That’s where the latkes come in.

A heartwarming holiday story

A holiday tale that can be shared again and again, “Latkes for Santa Claus” is perfect for young children aged three to six, particularly those who celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. For those of us who read the book to our little ones, the theme of valuing and sharing traditions is a gentle lesson of acceptance and inclusion.

As a bonus, there are recipes for Potato Latkes and Sugar Cookies at the end of the book. I know Sofia and I will have fun making both of them.

I received a copy of “Latkes for Santa Claus” as a gift from the author. One of my lucky readers will receive a copy of this book by leaving a comment on the Books is Wonderful Facebook page.

Happy Thanksgivukkah to all who celebrate!

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Posted in: Books, Sofia's Bookshelf , Tagged: children, Christmas, cookies, Hanukkah, kids, latkes

Book Buzz: Seven Days of Us

October 23, 2018 11:55 am , hbludman

I was pleasantly reminded of the movie “Love Actually” as I read Seven Days of Us, with its cast of quirky characters clustered and flustered at holiday time.

Book Buzz: Seven Days of Us

If you saw the movie (and see it if you haven’t; it’s especially uplifting right now) you’ll recall it takes place at Christmastime in London, with twelve intertwining love stories at various degrees of angst.

Seven Days of Us

In Seven Days of Us, author Francesca Hornak spins a similar tale with a twist of familial dysfunction. The Birch family welcomes home physician daughter Olivia, returning from a stint treating victims of a life-threatening Ebola-like virus in Liberia. For the first time in years, the estranged Birch family will be celebrating Christmas together. Really together.

Olivia is forced into quarantine due to her being in contact with the deadly virus, and so she is in virtual lockdown with the rest of her family for seven days at their ancient and crumbling country home outside of London, with mounting tension. And poor WiFi.

The narrative switches between the major characters’ distinct points of view and we are privy to their secrets, indiscretions and attitudes toward each other. Drama abounds in the form of infidelity, illness and sexual identity confusion, for starters.

I think many of us would find parallels in our own family dynamics in Seven Days of Us, perhaps not as juicy but at least reminiscent. Patriarch Andrew is a bad-tempered former war correspondent who now ruins restaurants by posting haughty reviews. His wife, Emma, attempts to keep the marital boat afloat and hides her own issues just to keep the peace. Younger daughter Phoebe is a fluttery bride-to-be consumed by plans for her wedding to fiance George. Olivia secretly pines for a fellow doc she met in Africa who is now all over the news for having contracted the dreaded virus they both were exposed to. And now she wonders, is she next in line?

On top of this, the unexpected arrival of Jesse is a shocker. I won’t tell you about Jesse because I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but his character is the catalyst for an emotional upheaval that affects the whole family and causes the lot of them to come to a reckoning.

Forget about the virus, can this family survive each other?

I liked Seven Days of Us. It was wry and insightful but with a splash of holiday punch to make it lighthearted. A quick and entertaining read, it might be just the thing as you contemplate your upcoming holiday plans.

Would you say your holidays are stressful, or more like a Norman Rockwell painting? Or a combination?

One of my lucky readers will receive a copy of Seven Days of Us. Please leave a comment on the Books is Wonderful Facebook page and a winner will be randomly selected. US addresses only, please.

I received a copy of Seven Days of Us from Berkley for an honest review,
which is the only kind of review I write.

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Posted in: Books , Tagged: Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, dysfunction, Family, Holiday, humor

The Holiday Card Dilemma

December 18, 2015 10:16 am , hbludman

T’was the week before Christmas
And all through the nation
Dangled the holiday card dilemma
Should I send? Or is it too much aggravation?

I don’t know about you, but my holiday card routine comes up for review every year.

Before the advent of e-cards, holiday cards were a given. I gave as many as I received. It was a good way of staying in touch with far flung friends and family.

But with the internet, sending a card is just a few clicks away. Easier, yes. Less costly, for sure.

So I think to myself, maybe this year an e-card will suffice. Why not? It’s the thought that counts, right?

Well, call me old school, but for me there is no comparison. I still get a thrill from finding holiday cards nestled amid the catalogs and junk mail stuffed in my mailbox. My IRL mailbox, that is.

And I enjoy buying holiday cards. Really, how cute are these, from Hallmark? (Disclosure: Hallmark sent me these cards as part of an ambassadorship program. Opinions, as always, are mine alone.)

So although I debate each year about sending them, and although my list is shorter than it used to be, the answer is usually yes.

Holiday Card Facts — Did You Know That …

Americans send 1.6 billion holiday cards annually [source]
Women purchase an estimated 80% of all greeting cards [source]
E-cards have become an environmentally friendly alternative to paper cards [source]
Christmas cards originated in London, where Sir Henry Cole commissioned the first in 1843. [Source]
- Two batches totaling 2,050 cards were printed and sold that year for a shilling each. [Source]
Despite the separation of church and state, it’s customary for the President and First Lady to send White House Christmas cards each holiday season. [source]
Calvin Coolidge issued the first official Christmas message to the American people in 1927. [source]

Grammarly has created a tongue-in-cheek infographic designed to help with the holiday card dilemma. Are the people on your list worthy of a stamp, an e-card, or (brrrr) the cold shoulder?

Holiday Card Flow Chart Infographic2

Wishing everyone on my list — and beyond — a happy holiday season and a new year filled with peace.

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Posted in: fun times , Tagged: Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, greeting cards, Hallmark, holiday card, New Year

Book Buzz: The Dress Shop of Dreams

December 31, 2014 8:45 am , hbludman

Christmas lights are still twinkling in my neighborhood as I’m sure they are in yours. Today, New Year’s Eve, the merriment of the holiday season is still upon us. And until next Monday when it is back to reality, we can enjoy what is left of this special time of year.

Understandably, the holidays are not merry for everyone. But if the whimsy of sugar plum fairy dust and the ho ho hos of jolly St. Nick can still cast a magical spell on you, I suggest that now is the time pick up a copy of the fanciful new book from Menna van Praag, “The Dress Shop of Dreams.”

The Dress Shop of Dreams

This romantic fairy tale, embellished with sparkly sequins and a ruffle of bewitching fun, whisks us into the lives of characters who are either falling in love, searching for love, or thwarted by it.

The story takes place in Oxfordshire, England and is about a young woman named Cora Sparks, a serious and emotionless scientist intent on completing the scientific work begun by her parents 20 years earlier. Her parents never got to finish the work themselves; tragically, they died in a mysterious fire in their home from which Cora narrowly escaped. Cora’s grandmother, Etta, has been the parent figure in her life since then.

Etta is the owner of a charming little dress shop on a side street in Cambridge, in which mysteriously wonderful things seems to happen. Filled with colorful fabrics of delicate silks, ornate lace and rich velvets, the store bespeaks enchantment in these racks of dazzlingly beautiful dresses.

When a woman enters the shop and tries on one of these gossamer gowns, she is instantly transformed. She looks in the mirror and as if by magic, the imperfections are gone. She is delighted with her appearance. When Etta unobtrusively sews into the garment a few tiny stitches of her red thread, it is akin to waving a magic wand: the article of clothing will unleash the wearer’s most fervent desire.

This is what Etta intends to do for her beloved granddaughter, Cora.

At the time that Cora’s parents died, Etta had carefully put a spell on her granddaughter to protect her from the crushing sadness of losing them. By doing so, she also hampered the girl’s ability to experience emotions and feel love. Now that enough time has passed, Etta thinks, Cora is ready for romance. And she knows just who Cora’s intended should be: Cora’s childhood friend, Walt, who has been in love with her forever, unbeknownst to her.

When Etta removes the spell, Cora’s emotions are reawakened. At the same time, she experiences a surge of interest in the fire that took her parents’ lives. What was ruled an accident seems more like a murder, and she is determined to find out.

Doggedly pursuing a trail long left cold, Cora searches for answers about her past and ultimately finds what she needs to move on with her life.

Praag, author of The House at the End of Hope Street which I reviewed and enjoyed, pulls the threads of her characters’ lives together in this confection as sweet as a Christmas cookie, with a bit of mystery, a bit of romance and a bit of fun, with a nod to the magic of fashion that women of any age can appreciate.

And to start this New Year right, I am pleased to give one of my lucky readers a copy of “The Dress Shop of Dreams.” Please leave a comment (US addresses only, sorry) and a winner will be randomly selected.

Disclosure: I received a copy of “The Dress Shop of Dreams” from Random House for an honest review. No other compensation was received.

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Posted in: Books , Tagged: Cambridge, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Fairy tale, magic, magical realism, Oxfordshire, romance

12 Things Jews Can Do on Christmas

December 17, 2014 11:43 am , hbludman

As an observant Jew, Christmas is not my holiday, and yet the traditions for me on Christmas Day are as predictable as those experienced by my Christian friends.

Our traditions on Christmas Day

Instead of gathering around the Christmas tree opening presents? My family and I gather at the local theater for a movie.

Instead of sitting down for a sumptuous Christmas dinner served on lovely china? We’ll be at our favorite Chinese restaurant eating with chopsticks.

This year, though, has given me pause. In spite of the many blessings in my life, I am heartsick about what is happening in our world.

And I am fearful that the unending violence has rendered us numb. We are like deer in headlights, stunned into inaction.

Our world is gravely in need of repair. We all know this, and yet we feel helpless. What can we do that will make a difference? Nothing, right?

But to do nothing to acknowledge the malaise in our world and do what we can to reverse it is tantamount to acceptance. And that is simply unacceptable.

There is something we can do. And for us Jews, what better day to start than Christmas Day? A small gesture that, although seemingly insignificant, can make a difference. That can change our course and set us on a better path. Or at the very least create a feeling of goodwill.

Because if we all perform little acts of kindness –not just on Christmas Day but every day — maybe we can start to repair the world.

Tikkun olam, it is called in Hebrew. To repair the world.

Mitzvot, in Hebrew. Good deeds. Acts of kindness.

Instead of hopelessness, why not choose hope? Wouldn’t this be a great way to end this sad year and launch 2015 on the right note?

A few ideas for what we Jews (or anyone) can do on Christmas.

Volunteer a couple of hours somewhere. At a soup kitchen, a facility for the elderly, an animal rescue.

Contact local hospitals in advance to see if they can use some help on Christmas Day.

Check on your elderly neighbors to make sure they are safe and warm. Offer to drive them to church if they would like to attend but have no transportation.

Bake cookies and deliver them to your local police department or fire department. Thank them for all they do to protect your community

Go through your closets to weed out unused clothes and toys and bag them up to deliver to a local charity.

Weather permitting, go for a walk in a local park. Take a trash bag with you and gather up debris.

Make sandwiches and take them, along with unused warm coats and blankets, to homeless people.

Instead of shopping online, find an organization doing good for the world and make a donation.

Write letters to your legislators concerning issues that are important to you.

Traveling on a toll road? Pay for the person in the car behind you.

Go through your collection of books and set aside the ones you don’t want to keep. Box them up and donate them to a library.

Wish a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone you see.

Can you think of any other ideas?

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Posted in: the world we live in , Tagged: charity, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Christmas Day, Jews, Jews on Christmas, repair the world, tikkun olam

Tag Archives: Christmas

Sofia’s Bookshelf – Latkes for Santa Claus

Latkes for Santa Claus

A heartwarming holiday story