The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser
Illustrated by Nancy Cote
Published by Albert Whitman & Company
1997

     It was the last night of Hanukahh. Rachel couldn't contain her excitement, hopping from foot to foot while her mother flipped latkes in the kitchen.  The house would soon be packed with friends and relatives. Then the phone rang, and Rachel's mother found out that even more people than expected were coming and she needed to make more latkes.  She sent Rachel up to the cellar to get more potatoes but they didn't have enough. Rachel went to see if she could borrow some latkes from their neighbor Mrs.Greenberg. Every year Rachel's mom invites Mrs.Greenberg over for Hannukah but she never comes. Mrs.Greenberg has "a heart of gold, but she's as stubborn as an ox." So this time around they hope that borrowing some potatoes from her would convince her to come and join them.
     Rachel ran over to Mrs.Greenberg's house and inside her house she noticed how quiet everything was...it just didn't seem like Hanukkah except for the menorah by the window. Rachel asked to borrow some potatoes and invited Mrs.Greenberg over, but she refused.  As the night progresses, Rachel needs to go back to Mrs.Greenberg's multiple times to borrow different items, and she ends up formulating a plan that will convince Mrs.Greenberg to be part of their Hannukah celebration. They are running out of room inside Rachel's house...and there's plenty of room in Mrs.Greenberg's...
     The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes is a beautiful story with a lovely message.  Rachel understands that her neighbor is lonely and a bit stubborn, and she finds an creative way to bring the celebration to her.  The watercolor illustrations are lively and filled with joy. It's a great book to share during the Hanukkah. celebration.