Chanukah Books for Children

Two nights ago marked the start of Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights.  This Jewish holiday lasts for eight days and is observed by lighting candles each night on a Menorah.  During those eight nights, why not share some books with your children?  Here are some of the new children's books about Chanukah we have at DeWitt Community Library!  We also have children's DVDs, CDs, and other books about Chanukah available.  Ask the librarian and Happy Chanukah!

Elmo's Little Dreidel
by Naomi Kleinberg
Random House, 2011
Ages: 1-3
This board book introduces little ones to a few of the traditions of the Jewish Festival of Lights. And they'll even learn how to play dreidel!

Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap
by Deborah Bodin Cohen
Kar-Ben, 2011
Ages: 5-7
Near Palestine in the 1890s, a train derails and its engineer, who was rushing to spend Hanukkah with friends, is surprised when a Bedouin who helps him says they are in the very place where the miracle of Hanukkah began.

The Golem's Latkes
by Eric A. Kimmel
Marshall Cavendish Children, 2011
Ages: 5-8
Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel visits the Emperor, leaving a new housemaid to prepare for his Hanukkah party, but returns to find that she has misused the clay man he created. Includes historical and cultural notes.

The Hanukah Hop!
by Erica Silverman
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011
Ages: 3-6
Rhymed text and illustrations follow a family's activities as they prepare to celebrate Hanukkah.

Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah
illustrated by Olga Ivanov & Aleksey Ivanov
Marshall Cavendish Children, 2011
Ages: 2-5
An illustrated presentation of the well-known Hanukkah song. Includes note about the history of the song.

Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles
by Tami Lehman-Wilzig
Kar-Ben, 2011
Ages: 6-8
Although Jacob finds his autistic brother, Nathan, annoying, he gets angry at a new neighbor who calls Nathan weird, but their mothers help the boys get along with a special Hanukkah observance.

The Story of Hanukkah
by David A. Adler
Holiday House, 2011
Ages: 6-8
No celebration of Hanukkah would be complete without recounting the events of more than two thousand years ago that the holiday commemorates. In a simple yet dramatic text and vibrant paintings, the story of the courageous Maccabees and the miracle that took place in the Temple in Jerusalem is retold. For readers who want to continue the festivities, a recipe for latkes and directions for playing dreidel are included.

Maccabee!: the Story of Hanukkah
by Tilda Balsley
Kar-Ben, 2010
Ages: 5-8
The Hanukkah story of how Judah and the Maccabees fought the dictator King Antiochus for religious freedom of the Jews and the restoration of Jerusalem.

Eight Winter Nights: a Family Hanukkah Book
by Laura Krauss Melmed
Chronicle Books, 2010
Ages: 2-5
Short verses describe symbols, foods, and family fun associated with the festival of Hanukkah. Includes facts about the history and traditions.

Happy Hanukkah Lights
by Jacqueline Jules
Kar-Ben, 2010
Ages: 1-3
This board book shows how a family celebrates Hanukkah by lighting candles, opening gifts, and eating latkes.