NPR's Book of the Day

'The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol' is a mythical take on the Jewish holiday


Listen Later

Nate Gadol is a spirit with the power to make anything last for as long as it's needed, whether oil, chocolate, or a flower. Gadol's special gift is at the center of The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol, a children's book from author Arthur Levine. Growing up, Levine says, he felt that the Jewish holiday was often eclipsed by the mythology surrounding Christmas, with beloved characters like Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus. With Nate Gadol, Levine aims to introduce a mythological hero that Jewish people could call their own. In today's episode, we revisit a conversation between Levine and NPR's Scott Simon. They discuss the backstory behind Hanukkah presents and the many forms Jewish families take today.

To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

NPR's Book of the DayBy NPR

  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2

4.2

555 ratings


More shows like NPR's Book of the Day

View all
The Book Review by The New York Times

The Book Review

3,885 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

37,881 Listeners

The New Yorker: Fiction by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

The New Yorker: Fiction

3,329 Listeners

Pop Culture Happy Hour by NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

10,988 Listeners

Book Riot - The Podcast by Book Riot

Book Riot - The Podcast

965 Listeners

All the Books! by Book Riot

All the Books!

1,211 Listeners

Well-Read by Ann Cox and Halle Eisenman

Well-Read

226 Listeners

The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

The New Yorker Radio Hour

6,675 Listeners

What Should I Read Next? by Anne Bogel

What Should I Read Next?

5,122 Listeners

It's Been a Minute by NPR

It's Been a Minute

8,944 Listeners

Poured Over by Barnes & Noble

Poured Over

294 Listeners

The Book Case by ABC News | Charlie Gibson, Kate Gibson

The Book Case

907 Listeners

The Interview by The New York Times

The Interview

1,476 Listeners

Critics at Large | The New Yorker by The New Yorker

Critics at Large | The New Yorker

613 Listeners

Wild Card with Rachel Martin by NPR

Wild Card with Rachel Martin

707 Listeners