Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
For anyone who's ever asked "Why can't we have a tree?" comes a "lighthearted" (USA Today) book about being Jewish during the Christmas season from actress Amanda Peet
Rachel Rosenstein is determined to celebrate Christmas this year and the fact that her family is Jewish is not going to stop her. In a series of hilarious and heartwarming mishaps, Rachel writes a letter to Santa explaining her cause, pays him a visit at the mall, and covertly decorates her house on Christmas Eve (right down to latkes for Santaand his reindeer). And while Rachel may wrestle with her culture, customs, and love of sparkly Christmas ornaments, she also comes away with a brighter understanding of her own identity and of the gift of friends and family.
Inspired by Amanda Peet's experience with her own children, Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosensteinis sure to be a new holiday classic
"Many Jewish kids in America can probably relate to Amanda Peet s new children s book." Time.com
"It's not just for kids: Any grown-ups who remember what it's like being a Jewish kid when everyone else seems to be caroling around Christmas trees and putting out cookies for Santa will love it, too." Bustle.com
"Packs a lesson in cultural understanding." The Chicago Tribune
"There s lots of humor in the text ( DearSanta I know that you are a fair person and will not mind that I am Jewish. After all so was Jesus, at least on his mother s side ) and in the lively, scribbly, colorful illustrations. But the authors wisely don t gloss over Rachel s feelings which can be common foranyonewho doesn t celebrate Christmas that time of year." The Horn Book "
Synopsis
For anyone who's ever asked Why can't we have a Christmas tree? comes a lighthearted story about being Jewish during the holiday season
--by actress Amanda Peet
Rachel Rosenstein is determined to celebrate Christmas this year--and the fact that her family is Jewish is not going to stop her. In a series of hilarious and heartwarming mishaps, Rachel writes a letter to Santa explaining her cause, pays him a visit at the mall, and covertly decorates her house on Christmas Eve (right down to latkes for Santa and his reindeer). And while Rachel may wrestle with her culture, customs, and love of sparkly Christmas ornaments, she also comes away with a brighter understanding of her own identity and of the gift of friends and family.
Inspired by actress Amanda Peet's experience with her own children, Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein is sure to be a new holiday classic
Will help introduce young readers to other cultures while allowing them to preserve the magic of their own.--Booklist
Actress Peet and her friend/coauthor Troyer, both newcomers to children's books, handle Rachel's obsession and her family's strong sense of religious identity with equal empathy and humor.--Publishers Weekly
There's lots of humor in the text and in the lively, scribbly, colorful illustrations. But the authors wisely don't gloss over Rachel's feelings--which can be common for anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas that time of year, a notion that steers the text toward a happy, multi-culti ending.--The Horn Book