July 29, 2024
BFFs Charley Chipmunk and Seymour Squirrel “did everything together,” Howard Ritt conveys in opening lines that speak to the animals’ closeness. The bright-eyed, bushy-tailed buds love celebrating Hanukkah, but this year, Seymour forgets to take candles to the celebration at Charley’s tree-house nest, as promised, instead arriving with all manner of other things beginning with C. Instead of exhibiting frustration, Charley reassures his embarrassed friend with a comforting hug—a moment of secure attachment rendered touchingly by Gould in playful colors and print-like textures. Then Charley quickly devises a menorah using string and cooking oil, and the celebration continues—with all the other C objects Seymour brought, including a cantaloupe, carrots, a cauliflower, and more. “A great miracle happened here!” exult the two friends, and readers may suspect they’re celebrating not just the story of Hanukkah, but also the wonder of their friendship. Ages 4–8.