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.

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

Written and illustrated by Melissa Sweet.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011.

Ah, Thanksgiving.  A time for giving thanks for all the wonderful blessings in your life.  It's also the glorious holiday devoted to my favorite foods...turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, squash, rolls, cranberry sauce.  Excuse me, I'm drooling.  While most people will be up bright and early roasting their turkeys and prepping their side dishes, I will be engaged in a yearly tradition that doesn't involve slaving over a hot stove.  I will be plopped in front of the television, in my pajamas, and sipping some coffee while watching the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  No matter how old I get, I still get excited to see the huge balloons floating down the city streets. I know a lot of work and people go into making the parade such a success, but I never knew the history behind it.  I  was thrilled when I learned a picture book was available on the very subject.  So, to jump start your Thanksgiving, may I suggest Balloons Over Broadway?

This is the story of Tony Sarg, who became the puppeteer of the Macy's parade.  As a boy, he loved to make things move and created various marionettes.  When he grew up, he made puppets his life's work.  Macy's approached Tony about helping them create puppets for a parade celebrating the holidays.  The first parade was held in 1924 and each year it grew in size.  Tony created puppets made out of air-filled rubber that floated and were held up by wooded sticks.  The problem was not everyone could see them, so he created puppets that had controls below so the puppet could rise up.  Hence, the balloon puppets we see today.

I just love this story and the fact that it is geared towards children, but still packed full of information.  The illustrations are a combination of watercolors, collage, and toys.  It gives the book a playful element, which meshes well with the story.  I enjoyed pouring over the details in the illustrations and loved the "scrapbook" style of a book within a book.  Knowing the story behind the Macy's parade really prepares me for the joy and whimsy I see in each balloon every year.  This is a perfect read for Thanksgiving.  Now, hand me my pajamas and cup of Joe...it's parade time.

The Hunger Games Trailer

I'm really excited to see the movie adaptation of The Hunger Games, and this trailer looks GOOD!  I loved the books so much, and I hope the movie does them justice.  What do you think of this?