The Remembering Candle

The Remembering Candle Synopsis

A National Jewish Book Award winner, 2026

A Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Picture Book Title

A Boston Authors Club Julia Ward Howe Notable Book

A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year for 2026

★ "Alko's multimedia illustrations have the feel of a carefully compiled scrapbook, layering visual grace notes throughout this bittersweet narrative about a treasured ritual" - Publisher's Weekly, starred review

★"This is a first purchase not only because of its high quality, but also because of the scarcity of children's books about the Jewish memorial custom of yahrzeit" - School Library Journal, starred review

★ "A beautiful presentation of a custom that explores its many layers of meaning" - Booklist, starred review

I was sad when Grandpa died. I think about how sad Mom was too.
Mom says she misses Grandpa, but all her memories are like shining lights.

Grandpa died last November. Now, one year later on the anniversary of his death, a boy and his family light a special candle. It's not a birthday, Hanukkah, or Shabbat candle. It's a yahrzeit candle in remembrance of him, and it will burn all night and all day tomorrow until sunset. But why does it burn for so long?

The boy and his family spend the next night and day remembering Grandpa and sharing stories with each other. From his stylish hats, to piano duets, and apple squares for dessert, warm memories of Grandpa shine like stars with them while the yahrzeit candle burns - and continue to shine when it goes out.

• Features the Jewish memorial tradition of a yahrzeit candle
• Demonstrates how happy memories of our loved ones help us deal with grief
• Endnotes with more on the Jewish calendar and memorial traditions