A Flame Burns On - Lighting the Yahrzeit Candle

By: Richard Ho

Published by Random House, 2026-05-26

A girl and her mom light a candle to honor the memory of a loved one in this gorgeously illustrated picture book about this special Jewish tradition.

Each year, a girl and her mom light a yahrzeit candle on the anniversary of an uncle’s passing. Even though she was young when he died, her memories of him shine bright and clear: all the times they went camping, read together, and how he was there for every birthday.

The mom and daughter spend the day exchanging their favorite stories, sometimes laughing or shedding a tear, and visiting his plot, his spirit lives on, rekindled in the yahrzeit candle's flame. It’s then that the girl understands the true purpose of her family’s custom: to share, celebrate, and heal.

With luminous art that glows on the page, A Flame Burns On is an unforgettable, poignant story about finding joy and light in the darkness, and an ode to the loved ones that stay in our hearts forever, long after they are gone.

Backmatter includes an author’s note that explains the custom and significance of lighting a yahrzeit candle.