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    The Children's Book Review

    Five Favorite Hanukkah Stories for Kids

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Best Kids Stories Book Lists Picture Books Seasonal: Holiday Books
    Hanukkah Book List
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    Linda Glaser | The Children’s Book Review | November 21, 2017

    Latkes And Applesauce- A Hanukkah StoryLatkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story

    Written by Fran Manushkin

    Illustrated by Robin Spowart

    In this sweet humorous story, a family in the old country is caught by an early blizzard without food for Hanukkah. Despite their hunger, they take in a stray kitten and then a dog. How will they feed them, much less, survive themselves? However, miraculously, the little dog and kitten help the family find apples and potatoes so they can all enjoy a Hanukkah feast. The soft simple pastels add to the sweetness of the story. I fell in love with this book years ago. In fact, finding such kindness, humor, and sweet spirit in a Hanukkah book inspired me to write The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes—which is actually another favorite Hanukkah story of mine.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound |  Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Scholastic | 1992 | ISBN-13: 978-0590422659

    The Tie Man’s Miracle- A Chanukah TaleThe Tie Man’s Miracle: A Chanukah Tale

    Written by Steven Schnur

    Illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson

    In this poignant story, a family offers hospitality and caring to a lonely old man on the last night of Chanukah. In return, the man tells a story of a Chanukah miracle from his life back in the old country. The young boy, Seth, learns about hospitality and caring by his parents’ example. A spirit of kindness and welcome is woven beautifully throughout.

    Order a Copy Now:  |  Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4+ | Publisher: William Morrow & Co| 1995 | ISBN-13: 978-0688134631

    The Chanukkah GuestThe Chanukkah Guest

    Written by Eric Kimmel

    Illustrated by Giora Carni

    What a fun book! On the first night of Chanukkah, Bubba Brayna, who is nearly blind and deaf, mistakes a bear for the rabbi who she is expecting for dinner. She innocently tries to tug off the “rabbi’s” coat and then feeds the “rabbi” latkes. Each step of the way, the story becomes more and more hilarious. This book can be read over and over and still bring many good laughs to children and adults alike.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound |  Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4+ | Publisher: Holiday House| 1990 | ISBN-13: 978-0823407880

    Sammy Spider’s First HanukkahSammy Spider’s First Hanukkah

    Written by Sylvia Rouss

    Illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn

    As a preschool religious school teacher, this book is one of my favorites. Preschoolers love Sammy Spider! In this one, Sammy Spider wishes he could enjoy Hanukkah like Josh Shapiro. But his mother reminds him, “Spiders don’t spin dreidels, spiders spin webs.” However, Sammy Spider does manage to have his own Hanukkah experience while also capturing the hearts of preschoolers in a way that I find truly magical.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound |  Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-6 | Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing | 1993 | ISBN-13: 978-0929371467

    Oskar and the Eight BlessingsOskar and the Eight Blessings

    Written by Tanya Simon

    Illustrated by Mark Siegel

    This book is a real treasure. In spare language and beautiful illustrations, the reader follows young Oskar from his home in Europe where his family experienced Kristallnacht to New York City where he hopes to find his aunt’s house before she lights the Hanukkah candles. He journeys alone with only his father’s wise words to give him courage: “Even in bad times, people can be good. Look for blessings.” This heart-warming and uplifting story reminds us of the power of simple acts of caring.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound |  Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-1596439498

    —

    Way Too Many LatkesWay Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm

    Written by Linda Glaser

    Illustrated by Aleksandar Zolotic

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Faigel makes the best Hanukkah latkes in Chelm, but somehow, this year she’s forgotten how to make them! She sends her husband, Shmuel, to ask the rabbi for help. And in Chelm, the village of fools—oy vey!—this becomes a recipe for disaster!

    Way-Too-Many-Latkes--A-Hanukkah-in-Chelm

    Ages 3-8 | Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing | 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1512420937

    Available Here:

    Text, logoBuy on AmazonLogo

    About the Author

    Linda Glaser is the award-winning author of over 30 children’s books including the Sydney Taylor Award-winning Hannah s Way and Reading Rainbow featured book Our Big Home, An Earth Poem. In addition to teaching and writing, she conducts writing workshops for schoolchildren and adults. She lives in Minnesota.

    About the Illustrator

    Aleksandar Zolotic is an award-winning illustrator who lives in Serbia with his family. In addition to illustrating children’s books, he has worked on comic books and video games.

    Linda Glaser, author of Way Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm, selected these five favorite Hanukkah stories for kids. Discover more articles on The Children’s Book Review tagged with Chanukah or Hanukkah.

    What to Read Next:

    1. 9 Excellent Jewish Kids Books for Hanukkah Gifts and Beyond
    2. The Best New Hanukkah Books of 2020
    3. 2 New Hanukkah Books
    4. Best New Picture Books | February 2017

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Aleksandar Zolotic Chanukah Eric Kimmel Fran Manushkin Giora Carni Hanukkah Holiday House Kar-Ben Publishing Katherine Janus Kahn Linda Glaser Mark Siegel Roaring Brook Press Robin Spowart Scholastic Stephen T. Johnson Steven Schnur Sylvia Rouss Tanya Simon William Morrow & Co
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    1 Comment

    1. Cassandra Gelvin on November 21, 2017 10:30 am

      So which five of these six are your favorite? 🙂

      Reply
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