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