CHILDREN’S HANUKKAH

BOOKS AND DVDS
BOARD BOOKS

Baby - Preschool

Carpenter, Stephen. Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel. J BOARD CAR c1998

Celebrate the Feast of Lights with a festive game of "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel." Press the button and sing along to this joyful Hanukkah tune.

Cohen, Santiago. It's Hanukkah! J BOARD COH. c2003

This book introduces the traditions and celebration of Hanukkah through preparations made by various family members as the candles are lit one by one.

Cooper, Alexandra, Spin the Dreidel. J BOARD COO c2004

Celebrate Chanukah and play the dreidel game! Spin the dreidel suspended in the spine of the book and see which letter comes up!

Goodman, L.J. Oh Chanukah! J BOARD GOO c2003

An introduction to the celebration of Hanukkah encourages youngsters to lift flaps as a sister and brother discover the many joys of the holiday, including treats, presents, and family visits.

Katz, Karen. Where is Baby's Dreidel? J BOARD KAT c2007

It's Hanukkah, and Baby wants to spin the dreidel, but where is it? Lift the flaps to find sparkly foil Hanukkah gifts, and join Baby in this fun-filled hide-and-seek adventure. A wonderful Hanukkah treat for babies also showing illustrations of Hanukah activities and foods.

Kress, Camille. Let There be Lights! J BOARD KRE c1997

Customs and practices of Judaism and Chanukkah.

Lemelman, Martin. Chanukah is… J BOARD LEM c1988

This board book shows aspects of Chanukah that are fun.

Lister, Clare. My First Hanukkah Board Book. J BOARD LIS c2005

Presents the origins of the Festival of Lights and how it is uniquely celebrated with foods, games, and songs. Labeled illustrations and related activities introduce vocabulary words, numbers, colors, and shapes.

Phillips, Phoebe. Hanukkah Make and Do. J BOARD HAN c1998

Directions on how to make Hanukkah cards, candle crowns, and potato pancakes.

Phillips, Phoebe. Story of Hanukkah. J BOARD PHI c1997

Tells the story of the Maccabees and Hanukkah.

Phillips, Phoebe. A Present for Hanukkah. J BOARD PHI c1997

The story of the menorah, Hanukkah dinner, and spending time with family.

Scharfstein. Sol. The Draydel Book. J BOARD SCH c1985

Directions and poetry about spinning the dreidel at Hanukkah.

Shostak, Myra . Rainbow Candles: Chanukah Counting. J BOARD SHO c1986

This is about the Chanukah candles and what they mean.

PICTURE BOOKS

Preschool – and Up

Adler, David. Happy Hanukkah Rebus. J 247.5 ADL c1989

Sharon hears from her parents the story that underlies their celebration of Hanukkah, in rebus format, substituting pictures for words.

Backman, Aidel. One Night, One Hanukkah Night. J 247.5 BAC c1990

Each night for eight nights a candle is added to the great silver menorah. Illustrations depict the celebration in homes past and present.

Baum, Maxie. I Have a Little Dreidel. J 247.6 BAU c2006

An illustrated retelling of the classic Hannukah song, with directions for playing the dreidel game and a recipe for making latkes.

Bietz, Barbara. Like a Maccabee. J FIC BIETZ c2006

Days before Hanukkah, ten-year-old Ben prepares for his championship soccer game while pursued by the school bully and adjusting to a new roommate: his grandfather.

Burstein, Chaya. Hanukkah Cat. J 247.5 BUR c1985

On the first night of Hanukkah, a stray orange kitten appears and despite its mischievous antics endears itself to the family.

Chwast, Seymour. The Miracle of Hanukkah. J 247.5 CHW c2006

Describes the history behind the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

Cleary, Brian. Eight Wild Nights. J 247.5 CLE c2006

A large family celebrates Hanukkah by cleaning the house, entertaining guests, and preparing delicious food.

Codell, Esme. Hanukkah, Shmanukkah! J 247.5 COD c2005

In this spin on A Christmas carol, Old Scroogemacher is a tyrant to the poor workers in his waistcoat factory, even on the last night of Hanukkah. Visited by three rabbis, Scroogemacher travels from the time of the Maccabees to present day.

Da Costa, Deborah. Hanukkah Moon. J 247.5 DA COSTA c2007

When Isobel visits her Aunt Luisa at Hanukkah, she not only has a wonderful time, she learns some new things about this special holiday.

Drucker, Malka. Grandma’s Latkes. J 247.5 DRU c1992

Grandma explains the meaning of Hanukkah while showing Molly how to cook latkes for the holiday.

Feder, Harriet. Judah Who Always Said No! J 247.5 FED c1990

Brave Judah, a leader in the resistance to the changes a Greek king tries to force upon the Jews of Jerusalem, takes part in a stunning victory celebrated today as Hanukkah.

Fisher, Aileen. My First Hanukkah Book. J 247.5 FIS c1985

Presents poems relating to Hanukkah, the aspects of it that are fun, and the memory of its origin.

Glaser, Linda. The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes. J 247.5 GLA c1997

A young girl finds a way to include her elderly neighbor in her family’s Hanukkah celebration.

Glaser, Linda. Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah. J 247.5 GLA c2004

When Rachel makes latkes with her friend Mrs. Greenberg, the project turns out to be a very messy one.

Gold, Margery. John Speir’s Happy Hanukkah. J 247.5 GOL c1995

Tells the story of the event upon which the holiday is based and discusses ways to celebrate Hanukkah.

*Goldin, Barbara Diamond. The Best Hanukkah Ever. J 247.5 GOL c2007

When the Knoodle family tries to follow their rabbi's advice about giving the perfect gift, everything goes wrong and their Hanukkah seems ruined until the rabbi comes to straighten things out.

Goldin, Barbara. Just Enough is Plenty. J 247.5 GOL c1990

With Hanukkah about to begin, Malka is worried because her family is so poor, but when a poor stranger comes to the door her generous family cannot turn him away.

Green, Jacqueline Dembar. Nathan’s Hanukkah Bargain. J 247.5 GRE c2008

Nathan's unsuccessful search for a Hanukkah menorah takes a new turn when his Grandpa teaches him about old-fashioned bargaining.

Heiligman, Deborah. Celebrate Hanukkah. J 247.6 HEI c2006

The Holidays around the World Series introduces children to the Festival of Lights. It describes the history and how it is celebrated today.

Hesse, Karen. Pinkney, Brian. The Stone Lamp. J 247.5 HES c2003

A collection of eight poems, each taking place on a different night of Hanukkah follows the history of Jews from twelfth-century England to twentieth-century Israel .

Howland, Naomi. Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat. J 247.5 HOW c1999

In an old Russian village, Sadie and her brothers are poor and hungry until an old woman gives Sadie a frying pan that will make potato pancakes until it hears the magic words that make it stop.

Jules, Jacqueline. The Ziz and the Hanukkah Miracle. J 247.5 JUL c2006

The Ziz, a huge and clumsy bird, helps the Maccabees find enough oil to light the menorah and restore the temple, leading to the miracle that is celebrated every year at Hanukkah.

Kimmel, Eric. The Magic Dreidels. J 247.5 KIM c1996

When an old lady swindles him out of his magic dreidels, Jacob tries to get them back in time for the family’s Hanukkah celebration.

Kimmel, Eric. When Mindy Saved Hanukkah. J 247.5 KIM c1998

A tiny Jewish family living behind the wall of a synagogue must battle a frightening cat if they want candles for their Hanukkah menorah.

Krensky, Stephen. Hanukkah at Valley Forge . J 247.5 KRE c2006

During the Revolutionary War, a Jewish soldier from Poland lights the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah and tells General George Washington the story of the Maccabees and the miracle that Hanukkah celebrates based on factual events.

*Lamstein, Sarah Marwil. Letter on the Wind: a Chanukah Tale. J 247.5 LAM c2007

When there is no oil for Chanukah, Hayim, the poorest man in the village, sends the Almighty a letter, asking for help.

Levine, Abby. This is the Dreidel. J 247.5 LEV c2003

Max and his sister enjoy the dreidel and other special parts of their family celebration. Includes nonfiction information on Hanukkah.

Manushkin, Fran. Latkes and Applesauce. J247.5 MAN c1989

When a blizzard leaves a family housebound one Hanukkah, they share what little food they have with some starving animals who later return the favor.

Melmed, Laura. Moishe’s Miracle. J247.5 MEL c2000

Moishe, a milkman who is kind to everyone in his poor village of Wishniak , receives a magic frying pan that produces an unlimited supply of delicious Hanukkah latkes.

Moss, Marissa. The Ugly Menorah. J247.5 MOS c1996

For the first time since her grandfather’s death, Rachel feels close to him as she and her grandmother celebrate Hanukkah with the simple menorah that he had made many years ago.

Naliboff, Jane. The Only One Club. J247.5 NAL c2004

This story explores the many ways in which children feel unique and special. Mrs. Matthews’s first grade class begins making Christmas decorations, but because Jennifer is Jewish, Mrs. Matthews allows her to make Hanukkah decorations instead.

Newman, Leslea. The Eight Nights of Chanukah. J247.5 NEW c2005

The wondrous days of Chanukah come to life through the eyes of a young child, whose family gathering grows bigger and bigger as the holiday progresses.

Newman, Leslea. Runaway Dreidel! J247.5 NEW c2002

In this rhyming tale in the style of “The Night before Christmas,” a family’s preparations for Chanukah are disrupted by a wildly spinning dreidel.

Oberman, Sheldon. By the Hanukkah Light. J247.5 OBE c1997

When the family gathers to celebrate Hanukkah, Grandfather tells his own story of the holiday from World War II.

Pushker, Gloria. Toby Belfer Never Had a Christmas Tree. J247.5 PUS c1991

Living in a small Louisiana town where hers is the only Jewish family, Toby Belfer gives a party for her friends in order to explain Hannukah, including the story of Judah Maccabee, the significance of the menorah, how to make potato latkas, and how to play the game of dreidel.

Podwal, Mark. The Menorah Story. J247.7 POD c1998

Discusses the story of the Hanukkah menorah which commemorates the miraculous victory of the Maccabees over King Antiochus and his army.

Levine, Arthur. All the Lights in the Night. J247.5 LEV c1991

Moses and his little brother Benjamin find a way to celebrate Hanukkah during their dangerous emigration to Palestine .

Rouss, Sylvia. The Littlest Maccabee: an Original Story. J 247.5 ROU c2006

The littlest maccabee, (a mouse) saves the day for Judah and the Maccabees against King Antiochius and his soldiers.

Rouss, Sylvia. Sammy Spider’s First Hanukkah. J247.5 ROU c1993

After having watched the Shapiro family celebrate the different nights of Hanukkah, Sammy Spider finds that in the end he gets to share the holiday with them.

Rosen, Michael. Elijah’s Angel. J247.5 c1992

At Christmas-Hanukkah time, a Christian woodcarver gives a carved angel to a young Jewish friend, who struggles with accepting the Christmas gift until he realizes that friendship means the same thing in any religion.

Roth, Susan. Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah. J247 ROT c2004

A family of mice celebrates the eight days of Hanukkah with friends in this illustrated version of the holiday song.

Schuman, Burt. Chanukah on the Prairie. J247.5 SCH c2003

After the Zalcman family immigrates to Grand Forks , North Dakota , they are welcomed by the local Jewish community and celebrate their first Chanukah on the prairie.

Spinner, Stephanie. It’s a Miracle!: a Hanukkah Storybook. J 247.5 SPI c2003

Every night of Hanukkah Grandma tells a story at bedtime, including the Hanukkah legend.

Schotter, Roni. Hanukkah! J247.5 SCH c1990

A Jewish family celebrates a happy Hanukkah in the 1950s. Nora leads her four siblings off to make gifts and latkes, spin the dreidel, and they all play until supper. After dinner, the children open presents and enjoy an extended family hug.

Topek, Susan Remick. A Turn for Noah: a Hanukkah Story. J247.5 TOP c1992

Noah has trouble learning to spin the dreidel as his nursery school class celebrates Hanukkah.

Ziefert/Levine. Eight Days of Hanukkah. J247.5 ZIE c1997

Gradated pages each edged with a different color show an increased number of candles from one to eight open to reveal a verse that describes a holiday activity.

Zucker, Jonny. Eight Candles to Light. J247.5 ZUC c2002

Follow a family as they light the menorah, open presents, and eat latkes to celebrate the great miracle that happened more than 2,100 years ago.

STORIES & INFORMATIONAL BOOKS

4th Grade and Up

Adler, David. The Kids’ Catalog of Hanukkah. J247.6 ADL c2004

All about Hanukkah — Hanukkah stories — Hanukkah fun.

Bastyra, Judy. Hanukkah Fun. 247.6 BAS c1996

A brief history of Hanukkah accompanies recipes, craft projects, and other activities to help celebrate this holiday.

Ben-Zvi, Rebecca. Four Sides, Eight Nights. J247.6 BEN c2005

Provides young readers with a fun, informative guide to this 2000+ year holiday through a review of its food, games, and many traditions—enhanced with fun trivia, scientific facts, and more!

Chaikin, Miriam. Alexandra’s Scroll: the Story of the First Hanukkah. J247.7 CH c2001

Alexandra, a young Jewish girl from Jerusalem , describes her life and the creation of Hanukkah, more than 2000 years ago.

Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Celebrating Hanukkah. J247.5 HOY c1996

Presents the history, traditions, and significance of Hanukkah as it is celebrated by a Jewish family in San Francisco .

Kimmel, Eric. A Hanukkah Treasury. J247.6 KIM c1997

Presents stories, songs, recipes, and activities related to the celebration of Hanukkah.

Kimmel, Eric. The Spotted Pony. J246.5 KIM c1992

Eight stories, with a “shammes” story for each. To be read on the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Kushner, Ellen. The Golden Dreydl. J 247.5 KUS c2007

After receiving a magic dreydl at Aunt Leah's Chanukah party, Sara is catapulted into an alternate world of demons, fools, sorcerers, and sages.

Schwartz, Cherie, My Lucky Dreidel. J247.6 SCH c1994

A colorful collection of information about Hanukkah, suitable crafts and hands-on activities.

Zalben, Jane. The Magic Menorah. J247.5 ZAL c2001

Stanley does not look forward to spending another Chanukah with all his relatives, but when an old man comes out of a tarnished menorah in the attic and grants Stanley three wishes, he changes his mind.

DVDS

Chanuka & Passover at Bubbe’s. 75 min. Parents' Choice Gold Award c1990

While preparing the holiday feast with her guests, Bubbe retells the story of Chanukah. There is also a story for Passover at Bubbe's.

Chanukah on Planet Matzah Ball. 36 min. NR c2003

On a giant Matzah Ball in outer space lives a family of funny, furry, Jewish aliens. When a menorah crash lands the 9-year-old is puzzled as to what it is because they have not kept up with traditions.

Chanukah; Sing around the Seasons. 32 min. c2005

Familiar Sesame characters Bert and Ernie continue their sightseeing journeys with acclaimed violinist Itzhak Perlman, this time inviting young viewers to experience how days are spent at a kibbutz on the Dead Sea .

Lights: the Miracle of Chanukah. 24 min. c1993

Retells the Chanukah story, delivering the message that it is alright to be different and to stand up for what you believe.

To check out these materials please contact Francine Menken, Head Librarian at the Henry & Delia Meyers Library, the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, 6600 W. Maple Rd. , West Bloomfield, MI phone: 248-432-5546 or email: fmenken@jccdet.org

Updated December 2008

 

 

Preschool

Horowitz, David. Five Little Gefiltes. JE HOR

                            Five little gefilte fish sneak out of their jar to explore the world, but Mama Gefilte isn't happy to see her little ones leave.

Jules, Jacqueline. Abraham's Search for God. J 008.2 Abraham JUL

Tells how Abraham, considered the founder of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, was dissatisfied with the religious practice of praying to idols and came to believe in God.

Rosenbaum, Andrea Warmflash. A Grandma Like Yours; a Grandpa Like Yours. J E ROS

            Two rhyming stories of wonderful Jewish grandmothers and grandfathers.

Seidman, Lauren. What Makes Someone a Jew? J 221 SEI

Using everyday examples that children can relate to, this colorful book helps all young Jewish readers understand what it really means to be a Jew. A vibrant and fun way for children to develop a broader knowledge of Judaism and the Jewish people.

Shulman, Goldie. Way Too Much Challah Dough. J E SHU

When a girl makes challah for the first time and adds too much yeast to the recipe, the dough grows and grows; her grandmother reminds her of the importance of following directions - told in a rhyming pattern. One challah recipe included.

Topek, Susan Remick. Ten Good Rules: A Counting Book. J E TOP

From one to ten, lists a simplified version of the Ten Commandments.

 

 

Elementary (K – 5)

Baker, Sharon Reiss. A Nickel, a Trolley, a Treasure House. J FIC BAKER

Lionel, a Jewish boy growing up in a New York City tenement, draws pictures on every scrap of paper he can find, but he does not see any value in his efforts until his teacher takes him on a streetcar journey to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Fagan, Cary. Ten Old Men and a Mouse. J E FAG

The synagogue is no longer a busy, bustling place now that only ten old men come by to pray each day, until the day a mouse makes her home among the holy books and the men find reason to celebrate.

Shalant, Phyllis. When Pirates Came to Brooklyn. J FIC SHALANT

After the friendship between Lee and Polly begins, one filled with imaginary pirates plaguing their 1960 Brooklyn homes, they find themselves struggling to stay together when their mothers' bigotry stands in the way.

.Gadot, A. S. The First Gift. J E GAD

            As a boy tells about the first gift his parents gave him, his name, he identifies someone else who had the same name, recalls how names came to be, and lists different names one person might be called. (Includes facts about Jewish naming customs).

Heller, Linda. Castle on Hester Street. J E HEL

                            Julie's grandmother deflates many of her husband's tall tales about their journey from Russia to America and their life on Hester Street. 

Hyde, Heidi Smith. Mendel’s Accordion: The Story of Kezmorim. J E HYD

                            Mendel's Klezmer Band travels from village to village in Eastern Europe playing happy music and sad music, until hard times force the players to seek a better life in America. Years later, Samuel discovers his grandfather Mendel's accordion in the attic, and a new generation of klezmer music is born.

Kimmel, Eric A. A Picture for Marc. J FIC KIMMEL

Marc, an imaginative Russian boy, discovers his talent for drawing and, with the encouragement of a friend and an art teacher, decides to become an artist.  Based loosely on the childhood of Marc Chagall.

Lamstein, Sarah Marwil. Letter on the Wind. J 247.5 LAM

When there is no oil for Chanukah, Hayim, the poorest man in the village, sends the Almighty a letter, asking for help.

Landmann, Bimba. I am Marc Chagall. J BIO CHAGALL 2006

                            Presents a biography of the Russian artist from his point of view, detailing his struggle to find acceptance for his work and his reasons why he chose the themes he did for his art.

McDonough, Yona Zeldis. Hammerin’ Hank. J BIO GREENBERG, H 2006

            Refusing to accept the prejudice attitudes of the time, Henry Benjamin Greenberg pursued his dream of becoming a baseball player in the 1930s--ending up being one of the sports' most celebrated figures and baseball's first Jewish superstar.

Schotter, Roni. The Boy Who Loved Words. J E SCH

                            Selig, who loves words and copies them on pieces of paper that he carries with him, goes on a trip to discover his purpose.

                Stampler, Ann Redisch. Shlemazel and the Remarkable Spoon of Pohost. J 190 STA

                            A retelling of an Eastern European tale in which Shlemazel, the laziest man in town, is tricked into believing that the lucky spoon given to him by a neighbor will bring him fortune and fame, if it is used in the right way.