The Littlest Candle: A Hanukkah Story

At Hanukkah, it’s the candles’ “chance to shine,” and each, including Shabbat and Havdalah candles, is clamoring to be chosen for the first night. All, that is, except a small, shy purple candle named Little Flicker: “Even if he raised his hand, his wick wasn’t high enough to be seen.” But a few of the more self-aware big candles begin to realize that Little Flicker is a real mensch who puts others’ needs ahead of his own, and who understands that “Hanukkah is a reminder that sometimes, even when you are small, you are still capable of miracles.” What better candle to be the shamas, or helping candle—the one that traditionally occupies the “highest place of the menorah”? Kostman’s simple compositions have an unpolished feel, but they impart character-driven interest to the Olitzkys’ calm, sermonlike narrative, allowing the message to shine through. Ages 4–7. [em](Sept.) [/em]