Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Hanukkah: With Light, Latkes, and Dreidels
by Deborah Heiligman
from National Geographic Children's Books
In Celebrate Hanukkah Deborah Heiligman welcomes readers to a holiday celebrated by Jewish communities around the world.
The vivid photography of National Geographic illustrates the joyous celebrations of Jewish people around the world—including Ghana, Uganda, India, Israel, Peru, the United States and Poland, as they light menorahs, spin dreidels, and make latkes.
The richly informative back matter details many facts, such as the story of U.S. astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman, who brought a menorah and a dreidel on his Space Shuttle mission in 1993. Hoffman observed the traditional spinning of the dreidel, but wisely left the menorah unlit in the proximity of several thousand liters of rocket fuel! Also included are the author's sure-to-please latke recipe, Hanukkah blessings, and a Hanukkah song.
A note from Rabbi Shira Stern, the book's consultant, sets the holiday in its global religious and cultural context.
All About Hanukkah
by Madeline Wikler
from Kar-Ben Publishing
A highly-praised retelling of the Hanukkah story with bright, colorful pictures and discussion tops and questions to enhance each of the 8 nights of celebration. With candle blessings, rules for playing dreidel, recipes for ltakes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts), words and music to favorite Hanukkah songs -- plus thoughts on being free, being different, miracles, legends, heroes, gifts, gelt, and giving. Everything you need for a Happy Hanukkah.
Jewish Holiday Crafts for Little Hands
by Ruth Esrig Brinn
from Kar-Ben Publishing
More than 150 easy-to-make projects for Shabbat and 11 Jewish holidays. A Tu B'Shevat Recycler, Kibbutz Tractor, simple Purim costumes, crowns, and jewelry. With things to grow, snacks, and games. A mini-dictionary and explanation introduces each holiday.
Wonders And Miracles: A Passover Companion (Wonders And Miracles)
by Eric A. Kimmel
from Scholastic Press
Between the covers of this elegant volume dwells a thorough and thoroughly engrossing compilation of stories, songs, recipes, artwork, prayers, and commentary on the beloved Jewish holiday, Passover. Eric A. Kimmel, acclaimed author of more than 60 titles for children, including the Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, outdoes himself in this mother of all Passover books, going well beyond the typical retelling of the Passover story. Using the seder, the ceremonial Passover meal, as a starting point, Kimmel walks readers through every step of the holiday, using ancient and modern stories and illustrations to explain the legends and history behind the rituals. He includes contributions from writers such as Nina Jaffe, Debbie Friedman, and Rabbi David Schaps (a.k.a. Grandma Tirzah), and stunning artwork that spans 3,000 years and four continents, for a truly beautiful, comprehensive treasury that will be brought to the Seder table along with the Haggadah for years to come. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter
Four Sides, Eight Nights: A New Spin on Hanukkah
by Rebecca Tova Ben-Zvi
from Roaring Brook Press
Sammy Spider's Hanukkah Fun Book
by Sylvia A. Rouss
from Kar-Ben Publishing
For fans of Sammy Spider's holiday story books, this compilation of games, puzzles, mazes, and pictures to color will provide hours of Hanukkah.
Eight Candles to Light: A Chanukah Story
by Jonny Zucker
from Barron''s Educational Series
This charming picture book for younger children describes a typical family's celebration of the Jewish Festival of Light. After Dad reads the kids a story from Jewish history, the family sings and lights the candles. The kids spin their dreidels, and all exchange gifts. At last the family sits at the dinner table, where they eat, drink, talk, and laugh. This delightful picture book depicts a typical Jewish family as they celebrate one of the year's most important holidays. The traditional warmth of the Jewish holidays are reflected in cheerful and attractive little stories that speak not only to Jewish children but to boys and girls of all faiths. On the last two pages of each book, the traditions and meanings of the holiday are summarized for parents to relate to their children. There are attractive color illustrations on every page. (Ages 3-7)
Jewish Holiday Games for Little Hands (Activity Books)
by Ruth Esrig Brinn
from Kar-Ben Publishing
Dozens of games for Shabbat and the Jewish holidays. With game boards and playing cards designed for reproduction. Simple directions, holiday explanations, and glossary. Ideal for home and classroom, large groups or solitary play.
I Have A Little Dreidel
by Maxie Baum
from Cartwheel Books
I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay,
And when it's dry and ready, then dreidel I shall play!
It's time for Hanukkah, and Hanukkah is a time for family. This reasonably priced hardcover picture book features the classic holiday dreidel song, with extra rhyming verses added on. We see the family gathering at a child's house, mama and child working together to make latkes (a classic Hanukkah treat), the family lighting the menorah, and then a spirited game of dreidel. The game is described in easy-to-follow language so that children can follow along and play at home themselves!
Celebrate! Stories Of The Jewish Holiday
by Gilda Berger
from Scholastic Paperbacks
The Jewish holidays are called the "jewels in the crown" of the Jewish year. This jewel of a collection by respected author Gilda Berger is a celebration of Jewish traditions, including Bible stories, time lines, recipes, crafts, and commentaries on the holidays. Each chapter covers one Jewish holiday, with a retelling of a related story from the Bible, followed by sections called "What We Celebrate," "How We Celebrate," and "Crafts and Food." A time line in each chapter places the origins of that holiday in its historical context, and a map of the Middle East and a complete index are also included. Glowing paintings by Peter Catalanotto introduce and follow each Bible story. The crafts and recipes are written with careful, simple directions, illustrated with clear diagrams when appropriate. Children (with a little help from an adult) can make a homemade dreidel or menorah, stir up a batch of latkes or cheese blintzes, or create Purim puppets with the directions given here. The author's goal in writing this book was to create one source that could be used by families throughout the year at each Jewish holiday. A superb choice for Jewish families or anyone interested in learning more about these ancient traditions. (Age 4 to adult) --Marcie Bovetz
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