Honeyky Hanukah

This selection from Guthrie’s Jewish-themed oeuvre—inspired by his mother-in-law, the Jewish poet Aliza Greenblatt—has a novelty song refrain that inspires a toe-tapping performance (on the accompanying CD) by the Grammy-winning and always irresistible Klezmatics. Ever the populist, Guthrie reminds readers that Hanukkah is not all treats and presents: “If you’ve got no money, well, that’s all right... Your kiss is nicer than cakes from the store/ It’s Honeyky Hanukah time.” Created with cut paper, charcoal, and colored pencils, Horowitz’s (Twenty-Six Pirates: An Alphabet Book) illustrations have a slightly smaller quotient of his customary goofiness, but they’re bouncy and bright, and ably serve as illustrated title cards to get readers in a singalong mood. A bookplate-slash–gift tag on the front endpaper encourages giving. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)