Celebrate Hanukkah with Picture Books
This year Hanukkah begins on the evening of Saturday December 24, and lasts until the evening of January 1. There are lots of wonderful stories celebrating the festival of lights, here are some suggested picture books to share. Be forewarned though, some of these stories will make you hungry! Be sure to have some latkes ready to enjoy after reading. Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Originally published as The Chanukkah Guest with illustrations by Giora Carmi in 1990. Bubba Brayna is ninety-seven years old, and even though she can’t hear or see very well anymore, she still makes the best potato latkes in the whole village. Old Bear smells the latkes cooking and follows the smell to Bubba Brayna’s door where she mistakes him for the Rabbi. This humourous story is a great one to share with the family. It also includes the recipe for Bubba Brayna’s latkes.
Hanukkah Haiku by Harriet Ziefert illustrated by Karla Gudeon
A lovely poem about Hanukkah. The colourful illustrations and simple text are a nice introduction to the celebration. The book includes a description of how to light the menorah, and the blessings.
The Hanukkah Mice by Steven Kroll illustrated by Michelle Shapiro
A nice story for preschoolers, Rachel receives a dollhouse on the first night of Hanukkah, which is the perfect size for the mouse family. Each night Rachel receives something special for the house, and the mice have a very happy Hanukkah.
Latkes, Latkes, Good to eat: a Chanukah story
Written and illustrated by Naomi Howard
When Sadie helps an old woman gather firewood she is given a magical frying pan in return, and for once her family will not be hungry during Hanukkah. Everything goes smoothly until one day she leaves her brothers alone at home, and the frying pan won’t stop cooking latkes. This is a funny and charming tale, complete with a recipe for Sadie’s latkes at the end.
Runaway Dreidel by Leslea Newman illustrated by Krysten Brooker
‘Twas the first night of Hanukkah and a little boy receives a shiny new dreidel which won’t stop spinning! As the boy chases the dreidel throughout the city he gathers quite the following, and the dreidel leads them on a magical journey.
The Parakeet Named Dreidel by Isaac Bashevis Singer illustrated by Suzanne Raphael Berkson
On the eighth day of Hanukkah, a parakeet arrives in the window of a family’s home. They adopt the bird and name him Dreidel after the little bird tries pushing around the dreidel with its beak. Dreidel quickly becomes part of the family, and lives with them for many years. A heartwarming tale.
Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah by Jamie Korngold illustrated by Julie Fortenberry
A sweet story about a little girl named Sadie who works so hard at school on her homemade menorah. What will happen when disaster strikes?
Check out these and more!
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in 2015 and have been updated with 2016 dates.
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