I had mixed feelings about this book after reading it. This is a book that tells the story of a milkman who is kind to everyone in his poor village of Wishniak. He ends up magically receiving a frying pan that produces an unlimited supply of delicious Hanukkah latkes. The first thing that gave me mixed feelings about the book was the language. It wasn't very detailed at times and caused me to be confused with what exactly was happening. I liked the overall story and plot of the book but sometimes the book jumped from one topic or conversation to another and it was hard to follow. I liked the illustrations of the book has they were kind of dark and gave off a very wintery holiday feel. I thought the message of the book was the best part because it teaches its readers to be thankful for what you have and to give to others in need when you can because good karma may be around the corner. ( )

A generous and gentle soul, Moishe the Milkman was forever giving away extra milk and cream to the poorer villagers, driving his penny-pinching wife, Baila - a born complainer and scolder - to distraction. When his kindheartedness is rewarded, and a magical frying pan - one which produces an endless supply of latkes, if (and only if) Moishe is using it - is mysteriously left in his barn as a gift, it seems that all the couple's problems have been solved. Now they will always have enough for themselves, and for all their friends and neighbors as well! But Baila, not content with the gift, tries to use it herself, in order to make a profit, and disaster ensues. Instead of latkes, she's produced demons! Can everything be set to rights again...?

An engaging original story, one that reads like a traditional folktale, Moishe's Miracle follows the basic narrative outline of stories like The Sorcerer's Apprentice, or Strega Nona, in which a magical gift or ability, when wielded by someone for whom it was not intended, goes dangerously awry. I liked the ending here, in which the rabbi's arrival puts a stop to the frying pan's shenanigans, and the magical ability is lost, as this highlights the notion that our actions have consequences, often permanent. The artwork, done by David Slonim in earthy tones, is marvelously expressive (one can almost hear Baila rolling her eyes, in one scene), and adds to the book's other charms. All in all, an appealing Hanukkah title, one I would recommend to anyone looking for fun stories for the holiday! ( )

Moishe's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story is a beautifully illustrated story containing the aspects of many Jewish folktales including comedy, mystery and yiddish and hebrew words. The reader will find my favorite addition, a glossary, in the back of the book defining hebrew vocabulary found throughout the tale. The main character, Moishe, is a kind and generous man who provides the people in his poor village of Wishniak with an extra quart of milk here and there. His wife, Baila, however is not so giving and scolds Moishe for his generous ways. One night, a stranger leaves Moishe a miraculous gift in the barn - a pan that produces an unlimited number of latkes when placed over an open fire. Latkes are potato pancakes traditionally eating during Hanukkah. The stranger warns Moishe that he, and only he, must use the pan. After discovering its miraculous qualities, Baila attempts to use the pan to sell latkes to her neighbors for a price in order to retrieve the money lost by her generous husband. The reader learns the importance of sharing gifts and how a husband, wife, and village come together in a Hanukkah miracle. ( )

On the eve of Hanukkah, a poor man receives a magic frying pan that produces endless latkes. Moishe wants to feed the whole village but his wife, Baila, has other ideas...The deep, dusky pictures glow with magic. ( )

This is a fun, magical story that celebrate's the joy's of Hanukkak. In this book, Moishe receives a magical frying pan that can prepare unlimited Hanukkah latkes but when misused by his wife, causes much grief.