Whatever you call it, it's coming fast.
Hanukkah starts this year on the 25th of Kislev. (That's a little humor for you,
because Hanukkah always starts on the 25th of Kislev.) As for the secular
calendar, sometimes December starts early, sometimes late...
Remember to light the Hanukkah candles first on Friday night, before the
Shabbat candles. And on Saturday night, light Hanukkah candles after Havdalah.
As you can see below, there are many lovely books for Hanukkah - especially
for children. They make great gifts for kids and for grownups who read to kids
(not to mention grownups who are more than tired of the pressure to buy
expensive gifts to compete with You-Know-What, and who will be relieved to have
their children actually reading something about the holiday). We've also
included a few cassettes and CDs of Hanukkah stories. Chag Urim Sameach!
Hanukkah!
Roni Schotter
A National Jewish Book Award winner, this picture book introduces
Hanukkah through the eyes of the kids in the family, including the baby. |
Hanukkah!
Roni Schotter
A board book edition adapted from the National Jewish Book Award winning picture book (to the left).
Slightly abridged text, and as a board book, suitable for the very young. |
Chanukah Bugs: A Pop-up Celebration
David A. Carter Celebrate the eight nights of Chanukah with the Shammash Bug, the Dizzy
Dreidel Bug, and many others. |
It's a Miracle! A Hanukkah Storybook
Stephanie Spinner
Every night of Hanukkah, after Owen - the Official Candle Lighter -
lights the menorah, Grandma Karen kicks off her cowboy boots and tells him a
bedtime story. |
One Candle
Eve Bunting
Grandma retells a tale of perseverance during the darkest hours of the
Holocaust, and the strength it took to continue to honor Hanukkah in the
only way she could. |
A Blue's Clues Chanukah
Dan Kanemoto
Blue and her friends have been invited to a Chanukah party at Orange
Kitten's house. |
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Eric A. Kimmel
A Caldecott Honor Book. The holiday-hating, hill-dwelling hobgoblins are
determined to ruin yet another Hanukkah for the village. |
Happy Chanukah Sticker Activity Book
Marty Noble
Children learn about Hanukkah as they apply 27 full-color stickers to a
background scene in a Jewish home. |
The Magic Dreidels: A Hanukkah Story
Eric A. Kimmel
When an old lady swindles him out of his magic dreidels, Jacob tries to
get them back in time for the family's Hanukkah celebration. |
Moishe's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story
Laura Krauss Melmed
Moishe, a milkman who is kind to everyone in his poor village of Wishniak,
receives a magic frying pan that produces an unlimited supply of Hanukkah
latkes. |
Runaway Dreidel!
Leslea Newman
"'Twas the first night of Chanukah and on the fifth floor, there was
holiday hustling and bustling galore . . . Grandma was slicing up two
chocolate babkas, Grandpa was grating potatoes for latkes." |
Chanukah Lights
Judith Moffatt
Celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah with this glow-in-the-dark story. |
Hooray for Hanukkah!
Fran Manushkin
A family’s celebration of Hanukkah is seen from the perspective of the
family menorah. |
The Magic Menorah: A Modern Chanukah Tale
Jane Breskin Zalben
Stanley does not look forward to spending another Chanukah with all his
relatives, but when an old man comes out of a tarnished menorah in the attic
and grants Stanley three wishes, he changes his mind. |
One Yellow Daffodil: A Hanukkah Story
David A. Adler
A Holocaust survivor shares Hanukkah with a loving family that gives him
the courage to remember. |
Zigazak! A Magical Hanukkah Night
Jon Godell
On the first night of Hanukkah, two tricky devils arrive in the town of
Brisk to cause mischief. |
Who'll Light the Chanukah Candles?
Dandi Daley Mackall
Besides playing dreidel, eating latkes, and singing songs, everyone wants
a turn to hold the shamash and light the Chanukah candles. |
Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel Board Book
Celebrate the Feast of Lights with a festive game of "Dreidel, Dreidel,
Dreidel." Press the button and sing along. |
The Chanukkah Guest
Eric A. Kimmel
Old Bear wanders into Bubba Brayna's house and receives a delicious
helping of potato latkes when she mistakes him for the rabbi. |
The Power of Light: Eight Stories for Hanukkah
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Eight tales by Nobel laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer--one for each night
of Hanukkah--tell of a world in which miracles abound, love triumphs, and
faith prevails. Full-color. |
Beni's Family Treasury for the Jewish Holidays
Jane Breskin Zalben
Beni and his family celebrate the holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot,
Chanukah, Purim, and Passover. |
When Mindy Saved Hanukkah
Eric A. Kimmel
A tiny Jewish family living behind the wall of a synagogue must battle a
frightening cat if they want candles for their Hanukkah menorah. |
Hanukkah Lights
Jason and Sarah celebrate the holiday's lights and nights, help find the
missing candles, light the menorah, play dreidel, and open presents. On
board pages. |
The Flying Latke
Arthur Yorinks
When Uncle Izzy throws a latke out the window, the chaos really begins,
as the FBI thinks it's a UFO and the air force tries to shoot it down. |
The Jar of Fools: Eight Hanukkah Stories from Chelm
Eric A. Kimmel
Hanukkah stories from Chelm, the town of fools. One story for each night. |
Where's My Dreidel? A Hanukkah Lift-the-Flap Story
Betty Schwartz
While looking for his dreidel, Max helps his family find other symbols
which they need to enjoy Hanukkah dinner. Flap book. |
This Is the Dreidel
Abby Levine
Simple Hanukkah rhymes that tell the story of the holiday. |
The Very Best Hanukkah Gift
Joanne Rocklin
During his family's eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, eight-year-old
Henry learns the pleasure of giving and overcomes his fear of dogs. |
Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat
Naomi Howland
Sadie and her brothers are poor until an old woman gives Sadie a frying
pan that makes latkes until it hears the magic words that make it stop. |
Alexandra's Scroll: The Story of the First Hanukkah
Miriam Chaikin Alexandra, a young Jewish girl from Jerusalem, describes
her life and the creation of Hanukkah, more than 2000 years ago. |
The Rugrats' Book of Chanukah
Sarah Willson Before the Rugrats see Grandpa Boris in the annual Chanukah
pageant, they become involved in exciting action backstage. |
Chanukah Lights Everywhere
Michael J. Rosen
A young boy counts the candles on the family menorah and the lights he
sees in the world around him on each night of Hanukkah. |
Count the Days of Hanukkah
Gail Herman
Describes the lighting of candles on the menorah, the eating of latkes,
and the spinning of the dreidl. Includes 50 stickers and a menorah poster. |
Hanukkah Ha-Has: Knock-Knock Jokes that Are a Latke Fun
Katy Hall
A collection of Hanukkah knock-knock jokes for younger grades. |
Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights Board Book
Leslie Kimmelman
Board book introducing Hanukkah observances to the very young. |
Pearl's Eight Days of Chanukah: With a Story and Activity
for Each Night
Jane Breskin Zalben
Stories and activities for each night of Chanukah introduce the holiday
and its practices. Includes descriptions of related recipes, crafts, songs,
and games. |
Jason's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story
Beryl Lieff Benderly
Twelve-year-old Jason has ambivalent feelings about Hanukkah until he
finds himself transported back to the time of the Maccabean revolt in Judea. |
Hanukkah: A Counting Book in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish
Emily Sper
This Hanukkah counting book teaches young readers how to count from one
to eight in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. |
Hanukkah Cat
Chaya M. Burstein
On the first night of Hanukkah, a stray orange kitten appears and despite
its mischievous antics endears itself to the family. |
The Chanukah Blessing
Peninnah Schram
A mysterious visitor rewards a poor family for showing him hospitality on
the fifth night of Chanukah. |
Chanukah on the Prairie
Burt E. Schuman
After the Zalcman family immigrates to Grand Forks, North Dakota, they
are welcomed by the local Jewish community and celebrate their first
Chanukah on the prairie. |
Northern Lights: A Hanukkah Story
Diana Cohen Conway
When a storm grounds their plane, a Jewish family celebrates Hanukkah
with a Yupik Eskimo family and discovers they share many customs. |
Asher and the Capmakers: A Hanukkah Story
Eric A. Kimmel
On his way to get an egg for his mother the night before Hanukkah, a
young boy encounters a group of mischievous fairies who take him on an
adventure to Jerusalem. |
The Hanukkah Ghosts
Malka Penn
On a visit to England, Susan finds herself mysteriously transported back
to the time of World War II, where she meets a Viennese Jewish refugee and a
prejudiced young boy who help her understand and appreciate her background. |
It's Hanukkah!
Jeanne Modesitt
A large mouse family joyfully celebrates Hanukkah. Includes information
on the the history and some of the traditions of this holiday. |
The Ugly Menorah
Marissa Moss
Grandma tells the story of her ugly menorah, and Grandpa's spirit seems
to fill the house again. |
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah!: A Holiday Fun Sticker Book
Tor Freeman
A Hanukkah sticker book. |
Is It Hanukkah Yet? (Step into Reading, Step 2, paper)
Nancy Krulik
A little girl waits with great anticipation all day until the sun sets
and Hanukkah can begin. Covers songs, games, and traditions. Early reader. |
On Hanukkah
Cathy Goldberg Fishman
A family participates in several activities for Hanukkah. Full color. |
Arielle and the Hanukkah Surprise (Read With Me)
Shirley Newberger, Devra Newberger Speregen
This Hanukkah, Arielle gets to light a candle on the menorah for the very
first time. |
Light the Candles: A Hanukkah Lift-The-Flap Book
Joan Holub
With each page, another candle is added to the menorah and another
element of Hanukkah is depicted. A lift-the-flap book. |
Let There Be Lights
Camille Kress
A board book published by UAHC. |
It's Hanukkah!
Santiago Cohen
Rhyming board book introducing Hanukkah to young readers with simple
text. |
How I Saved Hanukkah
Amy Goldman Koss
Marla decides to learn what the Hanukkah traditions are really about, and
soon she's got her family turning latkes into Hanukkah Performance Art and
doing a wild hora. |
The Hanukkah Mice
Ronne Randall
While searching for the Hanukkah lights, three mouse children and their
mother discover new treasures each night. A flap book. |
Hanukkah..and all that jazz!
Jon Simon
Contemporary solo piano interpretations of Hanukkah favorites. |
A Child's Hanukkah
Music for Little People
Original and traditional tunes, with a klezmer base. |
Happy Hanukkah My Friend
Konecky/Wilde
Contemporary new tunes (how about a reggae Dreidel song?) |
The Lights of Hanukkah
Bob Schoen
The two cuts we heard are original tunes in a jazz club sort of setting. |
Real Complete Happy Hanukkah Party
David & The High Spirits
Old Hanukkah favorites. |
To Life! Songs Of Chanukah and Other Jewish Celebrations
Various Artists
Chanukah and other Jewish holiday music from Theodore Bikel, Barry
Sisters, etc. |
American Chanukah
Robin Spielberg
Solo piano by Robin Spielberg with traditional and contemporary Hanukkah
pieces. |
A Taste of Chanukah
Various Artists
Traditional Hanukkah songs by Theodore Bikel, Cantor Morton Shames, and
many other artists. |
Shine Little Candles-Chanukah Songs for Children
Rachel Buchman
Hanukkah songs for kids. |
Reggae Chanukah
Alan Eder and Friends
Reggae Hanukkah? Why not? |
Magic of Chanukah
Paul Zim
Cantor Paul Zim sings Hanukkah songs. |
Chanukah Favorites
Judy Caplan Ginsburgh
Hebrew and English Hanukkah favorites and new tunes for the family from
Judy Caplan Ginsburgh. |
Chanukah at Home
Hanukkah songs for the young. |
The Joy of Chanukah
Pacific Pops Orchestra and New Horizon Singers
A collection of pops and choral Hanukkah songs by the Pacific Pops
Orchestra and the New Horizon Singers. |
Happy Chanukah Songs
The title says it: happy Hanukkah songs. Nice harmonies. |
Absolutely Chanukah
Karl Kimmel
Swing, bebop,waltz, Latin, Middle Eastern and jazz interpretations of
Hanukkah tunes. |
Miracles: Chanukah & Passover
Jill Moskowitz
Hanukkah and Passover music for kids. |
Chanukah Party
Paul Zim
More Hanukkah songs from Cantor Paul Zim. |
Oy Chanukah!
Klezmer Conservatory Band
Klezmer Hanukkah and other tunes from the Klezmer Conservatory Band. |
Just in Time for Chanukah
Margie Rosenthal, Ilene Safyan
Sweet harmonies in traditional Hanukkah songs by Margie Rosenthal and
Ilene Safyan. |
