Celebrate the festival of lights with these wonderful Hanukkah children's books!
This selection of Hanukkah books includes the traditional story of the Maccabees, as well as some fanciful tales. Many of the titles reflect diverse Jewish communities and the different ways Jews around the world celebrate Hanukkah. So gather around the menorah, fry us the latkes, eat those sufganiyah and spin the dreidel!
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Hanukkah Picture Books
All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins
Your favorite family is back in this picture book based on Sidney Taylor's beloved novels. In this short story, the girls and their mother cook up a batch of latkes. Four-year-old Gertie desperately wants to help but when she throws a fit, mother sends Gertie to her room. When Papa comes home, he uses his fatherly love to tempt her out from her hiding spot and the whole family gather around to light the menorah. This picture book is a wonderful addition to your eight days of reading.
Hanukkah Upside Down by Elissa Brent Weissman, illustrated by Omer Hoffmann
Here in the northern hemisphere we associate Hanukkah with wintery scenes. But children in New Zealand experience the holiday differently, as this picture book reminds us. Cousins Nora and Noah decide to have a contest to see which Hanukkah is better, the winter one or the summer one. A delightful and humorous story that compares and contrasts Hanukkah traditions.
Eight Nights of Lights: A Celebration of Hanukkah by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Hilli Kushnir
In this cute, interactive book, readers read a story over the course of the eight days of Hanukkah. When opened, the book reveals a menorah in which each of the candles is actually a mini book that readers remove and read. The mini books tell a story of a girl decorating and celebrating Hanukkah, while also teaching about the meaning behind the holiday. After reading the mini book, readers flip it over and reinsert it to create a "lit" candle.
The Mexican Dreidel by Linda Elovitz Marshall and Ilan Stavans, illustrated by Maria Mola
It's so important to read books that reflect how diverse the Jewish community actually is! Danielito goes to visit Bobe, where the kids are playing with trompos (Mexican tops). Danielito joins in with his dreidel. Afterward, he invites them to join in his family's Janucá celebrations where they eat latkes and buñuelos, light the candles and play dreidel.
The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Think of this as a pourquoi tale for Hanukkah gifts! Nate Godol is a spirit who uses his magic to make things "last as long as they needed to." He loves bringing small joys to others as well as solving larger problems. In 1881, Nate Gadol watches the immigrant Glaser family suffer through a cold and hungry winter. But then he meets his old friend, Nick, whom he knew from "way, way back." Nick is having trouble with his sleigh and the two realize that if they help each other, they can bring joy to all families.
The Ninth Night of Hanukkah by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Shahar Kober
In this charming and utterly heartwarming story, siblings Max and Rachel are excited to celebrate Hanukkah. Their family is still unpacking from a recent move and they can't locate their traditional holiday supplies. With some help from a diverse group of neighbors, the family celebrates and when the eight nights are over, the children decide to have a "ninth night" to thank the neighbors.
The Eight Knights of Hanukkah by Leslie Kimmelman
A “dastardly dragon named Dreadful,” is interfering with the kingdom's Hanukkah festivities, so eight diverse knights set out put things right. They help prepare new sufganiyot, replace ruined dreidels, clean the castle and perform mitzvah. But there is a surprise waiting for them because the dragon is not all that it seems. This is truly a fun and unique Hanukkah story you won't want to miss!
Hanukkah in Little Havana by Julie Anna Blank, illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera
Here's something I learned in the last few years from reading children's books: there is a significant Jewish diaspora in Cuba, resulting from the influx of refugees from Europe during WW2. Blank's book takes place in Miami, and calls attention to the Cuban Jewish population there. The young narrator describes a family road trip from Maryland to Florida where the family spend the holiday with their grandparents. Hanukkah in Little Havana means celebrating with oranges, beach time, and traditional cooking. Lots of fun.
Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Kris Easler
The Menashe family is looking forward to their traditional Hanukkah celebration, as well as the yummy meal of latkes and applesauce. But there's a problem! A snowstorm has prevented the harvest of apples and potatoes. Nevertheless, the family moves forward with lighting the menorah, and playing dreidel. Each night the family counts their blessings and hopes for a change in their fortune. Little do they know, two helpful animals will bring forth a small miracle. Delightful.
Light the Menorah! A Hanukkah Handbook by Jacqueline Jules
I love this Hanukkah book so much! Following a short introduction and the candle blessing, Jules offers up a short poem and a reflection to read aloud for each night of Hanukkah. The readings teach about the rituals of the holiday and connect them to wider tenets shared by many faiths, such as the virtues of kindness and tolerance. The book also includes the Hanukkah story, crafts and recipes. A wonderful book for families to read and share together.
MORE: Most winter holidays are in some way a celebration of light. You can expand your child's understanding by reading the titles on our diverse winter holiday book list.
Way Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm by Linda Glaser
My kids and I love stories of Chelm! In Jewish folklore, Chelm is the village of fools and tales from Chelm are inevitably silly and giggle-inducing. This Hanukkah, Faigel has forgotten how to make latkes so he asks the rabbi how many potatoes, eggs, etc. she needs. He tells her "All of them." She follows his instructions and ends up with oh-so-many latkes! Obviously there is only one solution–and it is a delicious one!
Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
This is a delightful book for preschoolers. The elderly, sight-impaired Bubba Brayna is getting her home ready for the holiday. When a great big bear knocks on her door, she assumes it is the rabbi and invites him into her home. She and the bear celebrate with latkes, a dreidel game and lighting the menorah. After the bear leaves, human guests arrive and the children recognize bear tracks. The mistake is revealed and everyone has a good chuckle.
Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Tanya Simon and Richard Simon, illustrated by Mark Siegel
A boy arrives in New York after living through Kristallnacht. It is the 7th night of Hanukkah as well as Christmas Eve and he must walk 100 blocks to find his aunt. Along the way he sees the holiday sights of the city, encounters people who show him kindness, and passes landmarks which inspire him to reflect on his circumstances.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
This is a must-read classic Hanukkah picture book! On the first night of Hanukkah, Hershel, a traditional Jewish folk hero and trickster, arrives at a village and finds goblins wrecking havoc and preventing the villagers from celebrating and lighting the candles. Hershel uses clever tricks to defeat the creepy goblins one by one. It's a lengthy read but kids will be riveted.
Hanukkah Moon by Deborah Da Costa
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
I love this book as a way to introduce children to Latin-Jewish culture. Isabel goes to her Aunt Louisa's house to celebrate Hanukkah. Isabel's father tells her that they will celebrate the "Hanukkah moon" at her aunt's house, who has recently immigrated from Mexico. Isabel learns about Sephardic Hanukkah traditions, as well as breaking a dreidel piñata and going out into the night to welcome the “la luna nueve.”
Hanukkah in Alaska by Barbara Brown, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
Readers outside Alaska will be fascinated with some of the unique aspects of life in the northern most state, like having to watch out for moose in the backyard, or dealing with extremely short daylight hours. The moose is a constant presence throughout the story, even watching the family through the window as they light the menorah! On on Hanukkah night, the family bundles up and heads outside (moose still in the backyard!) to watch the showy aurora borealis, their own Alaskan "festival of lights."
MORE: Picture books about the northern lights
Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas by Pamela Ehrenberg
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
This is another great book to show that there are many ways to celebrate Hanukkah and while most blended-family holiday books focus on Hanukkah-Christmas families, Ehrenberg shares a lively story of how a diverse family shares in their non-Jewish heritage during Hanukkah. In his Jewish-Indian family, a boy looks forward to making their family's dosas (an Indian dish) at Hanukkah but he is wary of letting his little sister help. But he finally learns the trick when he invents a new version of the "dreidel song."
Jeremy's Dreidel by Ellie Gellman
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
At the Jewish community center, Jeremy and his friends learn about the lessons of Hanukkah and the game of dreidel. All the children bring their own supplies to create one-of-a-kind dreidels. Jeremy creates his own special top out of clay and presses the Hebrew letters in braille. Jeremy explains that his father is blind and the raised letters will allow him to read the dreidel with his hands.
MORE: Hanukkah books for blended families: Interfaith holiday picture books (Hanukkah-Christmas)
Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale by Gloria Koster
This is a cute Hanukkah-themed adaptation of the classic Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale. Little Red Ruthie is on her way to Basha’s for latkes when she meets the wolf. Actually, she walks right into the wolf's mouth! Summoning up the bravery of the Maccabees, she convinces the wolf to let her go, promising to be much tastier and plumper after filling herself with latkes. At Bubbe's, Ruthie fries up the tasty pancakes and regales the wolf-dressed-as-Bubbe with the story of Hanukkah, thus distracting him from his original goal. A very cute story.
Hanukkah: A Counting Book In English - Hebrew - Yiddish by Emily Sper
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
I adore this counting book. Colorful candles appear one by one with die-cut pages. Each page spread gives the English, Hebrew and Yiddish translations of the number plus the object (e.g. one menorah, four dreidels, etc.). A simple explanation of the holiday can be found at the end. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, but fun for older kids to practice the translations, too. For reasons I cannot begin to fathom, this book is out of print. However, it should be available at your library.
MORE: Book list of Jewish folktales for children
The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler
This book is exactly what the title says. Adler’s text gives a clear and straightforward account of the miracle in the Temple of Jerusalem. After the account of the historical story of the Maccabees, Adler ends with a brief look at how Hanukkah is celebrated today. This is a great book to read to introduce kids to the holiday.
Hanukkah Haiku by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Karla Gudeon
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
This is a fun take on telling the story of Hanukkah. Each night of the festival of lights gets its own short poem. The pages are stepped for each day which gives the book an interactive element. I love the illustrations which take the readers on a whirlwind tour while at the same time teaching us about the eight day celebration.
Elijah’s Angel: A Story for Chanukah and Christmas by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
This is a beautiful and moving story about religious tolerance. An African-American barber gives a Jewish boy a carved wooden angel. Michael worries that he will offend his parents and God if he keeps it. When he tells his parents of Elijah’s gift they share with him the joy of having friendships that transcend religious boundaries. The illustrations are gorgeous. Due to some sensitive subject matter, I recommend this book for ages 7+.
Want some EASY Hanukkah crafts to do while you tell the story of the Maccabees? Try these:
Lies Garner says
A new one that my students loved (and learned from) is "Meet the Latkes" by Alan Silberberg. Lots of fun!
Lynn Taylor Gordon says
Hello:
Can have my children's Hanukkah book added to your selection for Hanukkah reads. My book Gracie's Night by Lynn Taylor Gordon won a Mom's Choice Gold Award and I was a PJ Library Selected Book. I have been recommended by Best Products and Teaching Expertise. I am small business woman publisher and editor. I would greatly appreciate anything you can do for me this Hanukkah Season. Thank you for your kind consideration. Sincerely, Lynn Taylor Gordon
Anonymous says
Another good one is The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by