10/08/2021
PreS-Gr 1—This goofy and slightly odd story from veteran author Kimmel just misses the mark. Three latkes of red, yellow, and gold (their color is based on the potato type) are arguing about which one is the tastiest. Unable to decide, they ask the cat. The clever cat says it must taste them to decide, dips each one in a different condiment, and consumes them. No one knows which was the best, because the latkes are gone, and the cat only says, "Meow." The text is amusing, not overly wordy, and has the feel of an old-fashioned fable. That said, the tension is minimal, and there really is no plot or moral, other than that people still argue about how best to make and top their latkes. Additionally, the one fried in chicken fat is also the one dipped in sour cream, which therefore renders it non-kosher, an unnecessarily poor choice that may put off potential readers. The illustrations are appealing. The latkes are brightly colored, shaggy blobs with round eyeballs, stick arms and legs, and line mouths, while the cat has textured, striped fur, a Chanukah bandana, and an expressive face. The backgrounds are simple, keeping the viewers' eyes squarely on the characters, and the cat goes from looking quite devilish to replete and content. VERDICT The story is mildly amusing but the Chanukah aspect of the story seems to be nearly beside the point. Its impact does not outweigh the missteps. Pass on this one.—Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Library Association, Wilton, CT
2021-08-18
Three potato pancakes each boast that he is the tastiest—to a hungry cat.
The table is set for the first night of Hanukkah as three stylish latkes engage in a bragfest. Made in turn from red potato, yellow potato, and gold potato, each claims first place in deliciousness. Red Latke states that vegetable oil gives him a “beautiful color.” Yellow Latke proclaims that frying in schmaltz gives the best taste. Gold Latke smugly asserts that “peanut oil is the healthiest.” Who will settle this dispute? A very observant cat will, and she is no fickle culinary feline. Adding applesauce to Red Latke, she gobbles him up. Dipping Yellow Latke in sour cream makes him a tasty treat. A “smear” of strawberry jam helps the cat devour Gold Latke. And her verdict? Readers will have to follow the appended recipe and come to their own tasty conclusions. With the concatenation of threes, Kimmel follows a traditional European storytelling pattern in this entertaining holiday tale for young readers. Parker-Thomas gives each latke his own unique identity in addition to the type of potato and frying medium. Red Latke sports a baseball cap, Yellow Latke a fedora and bow tie, and the healthy Gold Latke a sweatband and gold medal. Shredded and fried, they look a lot like fuzzballs with eyes, mouths, and pipestem limbs. The cat is suitably expressive.
Fry up a batch and relish every morsel. (Picture book. 3-6)
