How do you remem­ber some­one who passed away? For Jews, it is tra­di­tion­al to light a yahrzeit can­dle on the anniver­sary of a death. The Remem­ber­ing Can­dle, writ­ten by Ali­son Gold­berg and illus­trat­ed by Seli­na Alko, shares this cus­tom and many oth­er ways to keep depart­ed loved ones close. This book fills a much-need­ed niche, as young read­ers may be unfa­mil­iar with many of the tra­di­tions, and some care­givers may find it awk­ward to explain or may them­selves be unfa­mil­iar with observances. 

While the can­dle burns, the nar­ra­tor and her fam­i­ly con­nect with the mem­o­ry of her grand­fa­ther with pho­tos, games, favorite foods, music, and sto­ries about him. The book also includes help­ful resources explain­ing Jew­ish tra­di­tions around death and the Jew­ish cal­en­dar in an acces­si­ble man­ner filled with warmth and understanding. 

Seli­na Alko’s beau­ti­ful mixed media illus­tra­tions bring much love, heart, and depth to the sto­ry. This pic­ture book is high­ly rec­om­mend­ed for both par­ents and chil­dren and will be espe­cial­ly appre­ci­at­ed by any­one who has expe­ri­enced a loss.