I recently read Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, a 2024 picture book by Dara Henry. I picked it up because I’ve been intentionally casting my picture book net wide, looking for and at books in different categories, or books that tackle different challenges. In this case, I was curious about picture books that include an element of religious instruction, and I was especially curious to see how many of these books were actually a pleasure to read, instead of just being instructional or well-intentioned.
I’ll report in on how many other of these books succeed at this, but Hanukkah Pajamakkahs definitely does. The premise is spot on for a picture book: Ruthie gets new pajamas as a Hanukkah present, and wants to wear them right away…but her parents want to wear them to Hanukkah Pajamakkah Party. They reach an agreement that she can wear them now only if she agrees to keep them clean for all eight nights of Hanukkah.
As I said, perfect premise. The eight count gives us a natural structure, and a natural progression Henry can use to build tension. Readers will flip pages to see what happens on page 1, page 2, and so on. And since Ruthie makes latkes (fried potato pancakes/fritters) that first night…and gets stains on those nice new pajamas that first night, there’s some fine anticipation. Will she get in trouble? No–how much trouble will she get in? Night after night, stain after stain, and, easily dropped in, different elements of Jewish culture. Nicely done.
Olga & Aleksey Ivanov’s illustrations are broad and cartoonish, colorful and pleasant. They don’t grab you as much as the story does, but they are enjoyable and fitting.
