Baum, Maxie

Personal

Female.

Career

Children's book author.

Writings

I Have a Little Dreidel, illustrated by Julie Paschkis, Cartwheel Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Sidelights

In I Have a Little Dreidel, Maxie Baum adapts a traditional Hanukkah song for new listeners. Praised by several reviewers for its family-centered focus, the book follows a large, extended family as they gather to celebrate the traditional Jewish holiday by making and eating latkes (recipe included), light the menorah, and play the dreidel game that is the focus of the song. Baum incorporates the traditional song as the refrain for original verses that present "a homey articulation of Jewish tradition and continuity," according to a Publishers Weekly contributor. The book's illustrations—colorful, folk-style paintings by artist Julie Paschkis—also attracted positive attention, a Kirkus Reviews writer noting that their bold shapes include "enough detail to encourage lots of visual study by younger listeners." Paschkis's illustrations, which include stylized Jewish cultural motifs and symbols, reflects Baum's "cheery little song" and make I Have a Little Dreidel "a standout."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 15, 2006, Ilene Cooper, review of I Have a Little Dreidel, p. 60.

Horn Book, November-December, 2006, Rachel L. Smith, review of I Have a Little Dreidel, p. 688.

Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2006, review of I Have a Little Dreidel, p. 1126.

Publishers Weekly, September 25, 2006, review of I Have a Little Dreidel, p. 68.

School Library Journal, October, 2006, Teri Markson, review of I Have a Little Dreidel, p. 94.