Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers
Summary: Noah lives in New York; his cousin Nora lives in Aotearoa New Zealand. When they talk on the phone, they like to argue about which one of them is upside down. When Nora discovers that Noah celebrates Hanukkah in the winter, and Noah learns that it’s summer in New Zealand, each is convinced that their holiday is better. They set up a shared photo album to settle the score and start posting pictures each day. During the days, Noah eats pastrami on rye, learns Spanish, and throws snowballs, while Nora eats hokeypokey in a cone, practices te reo Māori, and does cannonballs into the water. But each night is the same as they light candles, say Hebrew prayers, and eat potato latkes. On the last night, they receive each other’s gifts, a shirt with “World’s Best Cousin” printed upside down. 40 pages; ages 4-8.
Pros: A cute Hanukkah story about two feisty cousins who enjoy debating each other while also appreciating their friendship and the interesting aspects of the other’s life. The story cleverly weaves in details of both the holiday and life in New York and New Zealand.
Cons: A map showing the two locations would have been a nice addition.
Summary: Noah lives in New York; his cousin Nora lives in Aotearoa New Zealand. When they talk on the phone, they like to argue about which one of them is upside down. When Nora discovers that Noah celebrates Hanukkah in the winter, and Noah learns that it’s summer in New Zealand, each is convinced that their holiday is better. They set up a shared photo album to settle the score and start posting pictures each day. During the days, Noah eats pastrami on rye, learns Spanish, and throws snowballs, while Nora eats hokeypokey in a cone, practices te reo Māori, and does cannonballs into the water. But each night is the same as they light candles, say Hebrew prayers, and eat potato latkes. On the last night, they receive each other’s gifts, a shirt with “World’s Best Cousin” printed upside down. 40 pages; ages 4-8.
Pros: A cute Hanukkah story about two feisty cousins who enjoy debating each other while also appreciating their friendship and the interesting aspects of the other’s life. The story cleverly weaves in details of both the holiday and life in New York and New Zealand.
Cons: A map showing the two locations would have been a nice addition.