• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: k to 2

The light from a menorah takes a young boy on a fantastical journey around the world to experience different festivals of light, and the people who celebrate them.

Nothing brings communities together like the warm glow of a lamp or candle flame, illuminating people and the stories they tell. In The Light from My Menorah, a young boy celebrating Hannukah follows his menorah’s light as it twists and turns in the night sky, carrying him to mountains, deserts, and even into space. On his journey he sees families from around the world sharing food and togetherness as they celebrate their own special holidays, lighting diya for Diwali, kinara for Kwanzaa, crowns of candles for St. Lucia Day, krathongs for Loy Krathong, and strings of lights for Christmas.

Illustrator Andrea Blinick’s luminous mixed-media art creates a dazzling world filled with sparkling light and warmth, while Robin Heald’s beautiful free-verse text evokes the quiet wonder of a holiday night. An author’s note offers further information about Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, and Loy Krathong.

“The Light From My Menorah, is a new book by Robin Heald, which lyrically emphasizes not only the light of her menorah, but how our world is filled with light, traveling from day into night and back again…as well as into the worship or celebration of other religions and countries.”—Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon, the How Do Dinosaur picture books, and 400+ other books

Robin Heald lives in Ashland, Oregon. Before her 30-year career as a drama teacher and preschool director Robin was a stage manager in regional theaters, and on and off-Broadway. Her previous works include Pat, Roll, Pull and Liberty Saves the Day, and her articles have appeared in Exceptional Parenting Magazine and Children’s Literature in Education. Robin’s picture book Isadora’s Sandálias won the Katherine Paterson Prize for unpublished children’s literature at Hunger Mountain in 2015. Her newest picture book, Whistling for Angela, was inspired by her first-hand experiences with adoption. Robin holds a Master’s of Fine Arts in Writing for Children from Spalding University.

Robin Heald's profile page

Andrea Blinick is an artist and an art educator with a passion for children’s literature. After graduating from the Ontario College of Art and Design with an illustration diploma, she went on to receive a Bachelor of Design through OCAD in conjunction with Thompson Rivers University and then pursued a Bachelor of Education at York University. Her first picture book, Outside, You Notice (2021), earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. Andrea lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters, who often inspire the storytelling behind her art. She enjoys music, writing, comedy, travel, and making a mess on her art table.

Andrea Blinick's profile page

Praise for The Light from My Menorah

The Children’s Book Council “Hot Off the Press: September 2024” Feature

“Emphasizing hope, beauty, and unity, this quietly powerful story demonstrates that people honor traditions in unique ways, while all are recognizing comfort and love as symbolized by light.”—School Library Journal

“A glowing ribbon winds through the pages, providing a lovely visualization of the metaphorical light that different traditions all bring to the world....A shining paean to winter traditions around the globe.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, and Loy Krathong...are portrayed broadly in the work. A glimmering stream appears throughout Blinick’s layered digital artwork.”—Publishers Weekly