Love that Latke

The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story

by Lemony Snicket

Many of you probably know Lemony Snicket from his Series of Unfortunate Events books. I happened upon this gem of his completely by accident over the summer, and I have read it several times since. I thought it would be the perfect way to begin Chanukah (it begins tonight!)!

Summary

In a small village on a cold night, a sound was heard.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!"

It was a latke. Also known as a potato pancake. The latke had been dropped into a frying pan of hot oil, and began to scream before jumping out of the pan and running out of the house and into the night. As he makes his way through the village, the latke finds himself in the presence of various symbols of Christmas: twinkly lights, a candy cane, a pine tree. Each of these items wants to know why the latke is screaming. When the latke tries to explain something about himself or about his relation to Chanukah, each Christmas item brings the story back around to itself, trying to show the similarities between them. The latke doesn't think anyone understands him. He eventually finds himself under a pine tree in the woods, and it is there that he finds people who understand him for what he is. A family comes walking along and notices the beautiful, brown latke, noting that it was just right for their Chanukah table. They scoop him up, take him home, and put him on the table for Chanukah dinner.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

You should stay up past bedtime to read this book for all eight nights of Chanukah! I loved it! The illustrations are hilarious and Lemony Snicket's characteristic writing style is perfect for this story. While it is silly through and through, the book teaches some good facts about Chanukah and the need for others to understand certain things about us.

Recommended for any age.