In this newly illustrated tale from Singers 1980 collection The Power of Light, a stray parakeet appears at the window of a Brooklyn family on the cold and snowy eighth night of Hanukkah. Thats odd enough, but this is no ordinary bird: it loves to play with dreidels (hence the name the family gives it) and speaks Yiddishespecially the phrase Zeldele, geh schlofen (Zeldele, go to sleep). Nine years with Dreidel as a beloved pet pass, and the familys son goes to college, where he falls in love with a beautiful and gifted girl who turns out to be none other than the parrots original owner herself. Newcomer Berkson contributes largely straightforward ink-and-watercolor interpretations of the action, but the wit and wonder that has always animated Singers matter-of-factly magical world shines through. Ages 58. (Sept.)