Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein

Reviewed by: Carla McAllister - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Maine, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 5, 2016

Review

Rachel Rosenstein just doesn't understand why her family can't celebrate Christmas, even though they are Jewish. After all, Jesus was Jewish on his mother's side, right? She just adores all the lights, decorations, tinsel, and especially all the presents her friends receive from Santa. She decides that she will write a letter to Santa Claus and truly believes that Santa will bring her gifts Christmas morning. She even visits Santa at the mall and asks him to visit her house and the expression on Santa's face at this request is amusing. She suddenly finds herself having a quick picture taken and being removed from Santa's lap by a helpful elf. She hangs stockings and leaves a latka and chocolate chip cookie as a snack and goes to sleep believing Santa will come. The conclusion to this story is wonderful for children who do not celebrate Christmas and will, perhaps, help those children to better understand their family beliefs and celebrations. The illustrations are busy and colorful and complement the text very well. This would make an especially good Hanuukkah gift.

Overall Book Score: very good