Every child likes to read about people that celebrate the same holidays that they do and stories surrounding those holidays. It is also important for children to learn about religions and cultures that differ from their own in order to foster understanding and acceptance for those that might otherwise be labels as different or teased. I like to take a sampling of books about all of the December holidays to read with my children, in order to help with this goal. These picture books are all about Hanukkah, and are great for young children regardless of their religion.
Chanukah Lights by Michael J. Rosen and Robert Sabuda is a beautiful book inspired by the revered poem by Michael J. Rosen and suitable for gift giving. The story details the Festival of Lights through place and time. It brings readers to Herod’s temple, a shtetl in Russia, a refugee ship on its way to the New World, and an Israeli kibbutz with a poop-up showing a menorah in each scene.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel and Trina Schart Hyman portrays a village in trouble. Holiday hating hobgoblins dwell in the hills, and are set on ruining another Hanukkah. The hobgoblins do their nasty work each year, but they might have their match in Hershel. Clever Hershel is able to work with a few props and his own wit to fool the foul creatures and break the curse. The creative adaptation of an old Hanukkah tale will delight with warmth and humor prevailing over a hopeless looking situation. Trina Schart Hyman’s illustrations are the perfect pairing for the text, with images that are both witty and lively.
The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco is the story of a childhood memory and true friendship. Trisha loves Hanukkah, because that is when her mother can stay home from work, her Grampa carves wonderful animals out of wood as gifts, and her Babushka makes potato latkes. In the midst of her family’s holiday Trisha visits her closest neighbors, thinking that she will find them find them decorating their home for Christmas. Instead they are all very ill, suffering from scarlet fever. Trisha’s family is lucky; they have been spared from the epidemic. Trisha’s family has a hard time celebrating when they know that their neighbors, their friends, are so ill. But Grampa has a wonderful idea. They will cut down, decorate, and secretly deliver Christmas trees to the neighbors. Trisha and her brother sacrifice the carved animals they were to receive as gifts to decorate the trees and do a good deed.
The Tie Man’s Miracle : A Chanukah Tale by Steven Schnur and Stephen T. Johnson (Illustrator) is a beautifully told story about little wonders. Mr. Hoffman is an elderly man who sells ties from the cardboard box that he carries with him. Seth is impatient to celebrate the last night of Hanukkah, but his parents welcome the urge their visitor to join them in celebrating. Mr. Hoffman stays and answers seven-year-old Seth’s questions about his life and family. In telling his story Mr. Hoffman talks about the Holocaust and a legend that he learned as a boy: that if all nine candles on the menorah burn down at the same time a wish can travel ‘straight to the ear of God.’ Seth wonders whether his wish for the old man can really comes true. The illustrations are fluid watercolors are very well-done. giving all the characters personality and dignity. This is a great book, not only for reading during the holiday season. It can be a discussion started about the Holocaust, Hanukkah, and the little miracles that can be found in everyday life.
Moishe’s Miracle: A Hanukkah Story by Laura Krauss Melmed and David Slonim is an original Hanukkah story that which selfishness is punished and kindness is rewarded. Baila feels that her husband Moishe’s generosity has left them without money to buy the necessary ingredients for latkes. However, the people who Moishe has helped are very grateful, and he is gifted with a magic pan. This pan allows them to make plenty of latkes for everyone. Biala tries to take advantage of the pan’s powers, resulting in demons leaping from the skillet and causing havoc. When Moishe and the rabbi arrive they frighten the demons away. The illustrations do a fantastic job of capturing the attention of young readers and listeners.
Other suggested books include Eight Chanukah Tales by Nissan Mindel, Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat: A Chanukah Story by Naomi Howland, Menorah in the Night Sky: A Miracle of Chanukah by Jacques J.M. Shore, Chanukah in Chelm by David A. Adler and Kevin O’Malley, and Beni’s First Chanukah by Jane Breskin Zalben.