After his ocean liner strikes an iceberg, young immigrant Simon relinquishes his seat on a lifeboat to a father. Realizing that his own survival will require a miracle, he lands on the iceberg and celebrates the Festival of Lights with the candles and latkes in his bag. Later, he shares his dwindling provisions with a polar bear, who keeps him warm through several nights, and then with sailors, who notice Simon's flickering lights and rescue him. Arriving in New York, he learns that the man whose life he saved is the mayor o gratefully arranges a job for Simon (tending polar bears at Central Park Zoo) and passage to America for Simon's family. Kimmel's folkloric tale brims with seasonal details, including the foods and customs of Hanukkah. Trueman's mixed-media artwork features deep blues and blacks, suited to winter on the north Atlantic, and his cartoon-style characters display an earnest, slightly ethereal look, befitting a story of miracles.

Young immigrant Simon travels to America aboard a ship that sinks on Hanukkah. He gives another passenger his lifeboat spot and camps out on an iceberg. Sharing latkes with a polar bear pays off in body heat and fish; his Hanukkah candles catch the attention of a passing ship. Illustrations with frequent images of light in darkness evoke the Hanukkah spirit.

K-Gr 2 Combining elements of the classic immigrant tale with magical realism and a dash of Titanic , this story follows young Simon as he leaves his family behind in the old country, sailing on a ship to America. Packed in his knapsack are a menorah, candles, a dreidel, and latkes to celebrate Hanukkah during the crossing. When the ship strikes an iceberg on the first night of the holiday, fatherless Simon gives up his seat in a lifeboat to a man whose little boy is waiting for him in New York. As the ship sinks, Simon jumps onto the iceberg where he lights his menorah and hopes for a miracle, "just as one happened for the Maccabees long ago." Suddenly a polar bear appears out of the darkness and pulls itself onto the iceberg, eating the latkes and other food Simon offers her. Over the next several days, it catches fish for Simon and cuddles up with him at night to keep him warm. On the last night of Hanukkah, Simon lights the last of his candles, shares his last latke with the bear, and hopes for one more miracle, which arrives in the form of a rescue boat, sent from a passing ship that has seen his fully lit menorah. The icy dark night is masterfully depicted in a watercolor palette of rich blues punctured by brilliant stars and the warm glow of the candles. The iceberg is given substance and depth by the use of what appears to be folded paper that has been crumpled and painted, while the hefty figure of the polar bear is worked in gouache softened with pastel. With its fine storyteller's language and themes of selflessness and miracles, this is a book that is sure to bring pleasure and meaning to Hanukkah celebrations. An author's note on the history of the holiday is included. Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library