Short & Sweet Treats discussion

The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story



Latkes are potato pancakes served at Hanukkah, and Lemony Snicket is an alleged children’s author. For the first time in literary history, these two elements are combined in one book. A particularly irate latke is the star of The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story, but many other holiday icons appear and even speak: flashing colored lights, cane-shaped candy, a pine tree. Santa Claus is briefly discussed as well. The ending is happy, at least for some. People who are interested in any or all of these things will find this book so enjoyable it will feel as though Hanukkah were being celebrated for several years, rather than eight nights.

Snicket always makes me snicker so I'll have to track down a copy of this sometime this month.

Helpful Hint: If you're using a library, most in my area define this as a Picture Book, which means it won't be with the other Snicket's. It also means you you can read it before you leave...if you can balance on the tiny chairs

Ha! I'll have to push two tiny chairs together or carry the book to the adult section ;D

If I can get a copy I am down!

I ordered a used copy on Amazon, waiting for its arrival. :)

I love the title! it brightened my day by just reading it. I'm going to order my copy right now!!!

Woot! And, please note in our video section, I included a full reading (sadly, no pictures) of the book.

Thanks, Jen! I was not able to find a copy :(

My pleasure! I didn't realize how challenging it would be to get a copy, so I had to have the reading.

Yeah, I couldn't believe that all the libraries around me didn't have a copy. And, living in Canada to have it shipped seemed more costly than the book itself. So I do greatly appreciate that!

Kris - My Novelesque Life wrote: "Yeah, I couldn't believe that all the libraries around me didn't have a copy. And, living in Canada to have it shipped seemed more costly than the book itself. So I do greatly appreciate that!"

What an adorable story! I loved that the book introduced children to Hanukkah, but would have loved it more if more mention had been made to the other holidays that were briefly mentioned. AHHHHHH!

I stopped by the library to try to find this yesterday and it was missing from the shelf. They're having a copy shipped over from another branch for me, but unless it arrives by Monday (seems unlikely), I won't have the book by Christmas. I guess that teaches me to not wait until the last minute!

It's a difficult book to find. The art work is cute, very simple, and with that said, I did place the audio version under the group's video page. :)

The branch closest to me has 3 copies - 1 was checked out , the second was checked out within half an hour of my getting there, and the third is missing. The copies at other branches within easy driving distance of home or work are already checked out too. Just bad luck.

But there's plenty of copies in other areas of town, so I just need to be patient. I'll get it eventually.

I didn't realize the popularity as well as the obscurity of the book,. Let us know what you think

So, I do have a question? How do you like your potato pancakes?
Like a hash brown, shredded with egg and flour and fried, or like a mashed potato that is fried crispy?

Do you prefer apple sauce or sour cream or both?

I like any and all potatoes, but to call it a latke, I say it must be shredded.
With sour cream

I don't think I've ever had a potato pancake... I might have to try one now!

I picked this up from the library this afternoon and listened to the audio version Jen linked to while I paged along and looked at the illustrations.

It was cute (as expected).

Glad you enjoyed, Melanti :)

Allegra wrote: "I like any and all potatoes, but to call it a latke, I say it must be shredded.
With sour cream"

My husband prefers shredded, I grew up with the fried mashed recipe. I like both sour cream and applesauce, but I prefer sour cream with the shredded and applesauce with the mashed.

My boyfriend surprised me with a latke breakfast the day after I read him the book. Good trade for me!

Wonderful! :)