The Children’s Book Review | November 26, 2019
If you’re looking for the best kids’ books about Hanukkah, we think you’ll find these books will become your favorites for celebrating the Festival of Lights.
Happy Hanukkah, Corduroy
Written and Illustrated by Don Freeman
Publisher’s synopsis: Celebrate the festival of lights with Corduroy.
Corduroy’s having a Hanukkah party for all of his friends. First they light the menorah, then they eat yummy potato pancakes. After they open presents, there’s time for a game of dreidel. Introduce little boys and girls to all of the Hanukkah traditions with Corduroy, one of the most beloved children’s books characters for over forty years.
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Ages 2-5 | Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 9780670011278
Where Is Baby’s Dreidel?
Written and Illustrated by Karen Katz
Publisher’s synopsis: It’s Chanukah, and Baby wants to spin the dreidel–but where is it? Children can lift the flaps to find Chanukah symbols while they join Baby in this fun-filled, hide-and-seek adventure. A wonderful Chanukah treat for babies!
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Ages 0-3 | Publisher: Little Simon | ISBN-13: 978-0670011278
Publisher’s synopsis: Hanukkah is here! There are so many fun things to do-light candles in the menorah, open presents, eat latkes and chocolate coins, play the dreidel game, and more. With the turn of each page, another candle is added to the menorah and another fun element of Hanukkah is depicted. Children can lift the flaps and see all the special ways there are to celebrate this joyful holiday.
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Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Puffin | ISBN-13: 9780670011278
My First Menorah
Written and Illustrated by Salina Yoon
Publisher’s synopsis: Hanukkah miracles fill the pages of this sparkly foil menorah book! Turn the candle-shaped pages one by one to learn about the eight days of this Jewish holiday and celebrate with blessings, gifts, and family fun.
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Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Little Simon | ISBN-13: 9780670011278
Publisher’s synopsis: One crescent moon glows in the sky. Two headlights shine through the window. . . . On each magical night of Chanukah, a young boy and his sister count more lights shining all around them! Join them as they discover what it means to celebrate Chanukah in a world filled with so many other lights.
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Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Sandpiper | ISBN-13: 9780152056759
Publisher’s Synopsis: Misha, a poor artist, has no one to celebrate Hanukkah with until he discovers a hungry cat in his barn. The lucky little cat, whom Misha names Mazel, inspires Misha to turn each night of Hanukkah into something special. He doesn’t have money for Hanukkah candles, but he can use his artistic skills to bring light to his home―as Mazel brings good luck to his life.
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Ages 3-8 | Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing | ISBN-13: 9781467781763
Publisher’s synopsis: Kind-hearted Moishe is given a magical frying pan that will produce all the latkes you could wish for latkes by the dozen, latkes by the hundreds but only Moishe must use it. Alas, his short-tempered wife, Baila, does not heed the warning.
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | ISBN-13: 9780152056759
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Written by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Publisher’s synopsis: A traveler rids a village synagogue of ghosts. A Caldecott Honor Book.
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Holiday House | ISBN-13: 9780823431649
The Magic Menorah: A Modern Chanukah Tale
Written by Jane Breskin Zalben
Illustrated by Donna Diamond
Publisher’s synopsis: Stanley dreads Chanukah.
He hates having to clean the house, grate mounds of potatoes, and deal with a bunch of noisy, nosy, pushy relatives. He’d much rather live like a rock star and do whatever he wants whenever he wants to do it.
Stanley gets his wish when he uncovers a tarnished, antique menorah, begins to rub the schmutz off of it, and discovers a genie named Fishel.
Fishel, who looks more like a haggard old man than any genie Stanley ever heard of, grants him three wishes. Finally! Stanley will get the fame and fortune he’s always wanted.
But why does Fishel insist on taking Stanley back in time to grant a wish? What do people who lived in the 1930s have to do with Stanley now?
In this heartwarming holiday story, Jane Breskin Zalben shows us the strength of family and what being happy is really all about.
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Ages 7-10 | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing | ISBN-13: 9780689826061
This article, 9 of the Best Kids’ Books About Hanukkah, was first published in 2009 and updated in 2019. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Holiday Gift Guide Kids Books and Hanukkah.
