Kids’ Hanukkah Books: One for Each Night

By Phoebe Vreeland, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 18, 2010

Hanukkah: A Counting Book

by Emily Sper

Reading level: Baby-Pre-school

Board book: 20 pages

Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Brdbk Mul edition (September 1, 2010)

Source: Publisher

Colorful board book with clever die-cut graphics.  Teaches counting to eight in English, Hebrew and Yiddish.  Pronunciation key and a history of Hanukkah included.

Add this book to your collection: Hanukkah: A Counting Book

Happy Hanukkah Lights

by Jacqueline Jules (Author), Michelle Shapiro (Illustrator)

Reading level: Baby-Pre-school

Board book: 12 pages

Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing (September 2010)

Source: Publisher

Short board book with simple rhyming text and cheerful illustrations.  A family celebrates a traditional Hanukkah at home in a snowy climate. Features all the typical elements: menorah, dreidel, latke, songs of the Maccabees and a visit from grandma.

Add this book to your collection: Happy Hanukkah Lights

Maccabee!: The Story of Hanukkah

by Tilda Balsley (Author), David Harrington (Illustrator)

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing (September 2010)

Source: Publisher

Snappy rhyme and “amplified, comic book-style illustrations” enliven the historical tale of the Maccabees.  Good read aloud for older children.  Probably not for the littlest ones.

Add this book to your collection: Maccabee!: The Story of Hanukkah

My Two Holidays A Hanukkah and Christmas Story

By Danielle Novack (Author), Phyllis Harris (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-7

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Original edition (September 1, 2010)

Source: Publisher

The story of a young boy with Christian father and Jewish mother who celebrates both winter holidays.  Nice choice for inter faith families.

Add this book to your collection: My Two Holidays: A Hanukkah and Christmas Story

An Adventure in Latkaland, A Hanukkah Story

by Karen Fisman (Author), Thomas Mcateer (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 64 pages

Publisher: Jora Books (October 1, 2010)

Source: Library

Publisher’s synopsis: On the first night of Hanukkah, Jacob Stern and his family are visited by a mysterious stranger who leaves behind a golden dreidl as a gift.  Late that night, with a magical spin of the dreidl, a girl named Sarah appears and takes Jacob on an extraordinary adventure to Latkaland.  Join the children as they draw on their wits, bravery and the lessons of history to overcome the fearsome obstacles they encounter in this marvelous tale, inspired by the story of the Maccabees.

Add this book to your collection: An Adventure in Latkaland, A Hanukkah Story

The Miracle Jar: A Hanukkah Story

by Audrey Penn (Author), Lea Lyon (Illustrator)

Paperback: 32 Pages

Publisher: Tanglewood Press; Reprint edition (November 16, 2010)

Reading Level: Ages 4-7

Source: Library

Eight year old Sophie and her younger brother are excited to celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah to the fullest despite being snowed in at their cottage.   When the family discovers they are low on cooking oil, the father tells the historical tale of the Maccabee miracle and the family creates their own miracle jar. Watercolor illustrations.

Add this book to your collection: The Miracle Jar: A Hanukkah Story

The Hanukkah Mice mini edition

by Ronne Randall

Reading level: Ages 4-6

Hardcover: 18 pages

Publisher: Chronicle Books; Min edition (October 27, 2010)

Source: Library

Pocket size edition of a popular flap book with shiny foil surprises.  The rhyming storyof a mouse family searching a house for Hanukkah lights.

Add this book to your collection: The Hanukkah Mice mini edition

Eight Winter Nights: A Family Hanukkah Book

by Laura Krauss Melmed (Author), Elisabeth Schlossberg (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 27, 2010)

Source: Library

Publisher’s Synopsis: Moishe’s Miracle author Laura Krauss Melmed and illustrator Elisabeth Schlossberg celebrate Hanukkah in joyful action rhymes, festive poems, and exuberant scenes of family life. From traditional holiday foods to the story of the Maccabees, they capture the warm sights, sounds, and tastes of this wintertime festival.

Add this book to your collection: Eight Winter Nights: A Family Hanukkah Book

Visit last year’s list for eight more books: one for each day!