Our Chanukah Favorites

By Ariel

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Ariel & Bean's Chanukah Favorites

Are you guys ready for the holidays? If you aren’t - like me - you better get your butt in gear, because Chanukah starts next week! We spent the last week perusing our stacks and picking out our Chanukah favorites. While we may celebrate Christmas predominantly, my brother-in-law is Jewish so we incorporate both holidays into our holiday festivities.

Now Bean and I have woefully different criteria for what makes a great book at the moment. This will be evident from our choices. Hers? Have to either have an animal in them or be sung aloud. Mine? I am a sucker for a clever story or beautiful illustrations. Below are our favorite Chanukah books this year. Let's check them out!

Bean’s Chanukah Favorites

1. Hanukkah in Alaska by Barbara Brown and illustrator Stacey Schuett

Hanukkah in Alaska is the story of a young girl celebrating the holiday in Alaska where life is a little different. Days last only five hours and the night sky is alight with dancing lights - the Aurora Borealis. But alas, even Chanukah can’t cheer her up, a rogue Moose has camped out in her backyard! One night, two nights, three nights… all eight nights! How will they get him to leave before he destroys everything? The secret is a holiday favorite! Hanukkah in Alaska is a sweet story that teaches the reader a little about the holiday, a little about life in Alaska and a little bit about rampaging Moose. This is a three egg book in my estimation. It's an interesting look into a way of life that I know nothing about. But it doesn't talk much about Chanukah itself. Plus Bean only loved this story because of the Moose.

Hanukkah in Alaska is no longer in print, but it is available as an ebook. While I still gravitate to physical books for reading to myself and the Bean, there is a time and a place for ebooks. Specifically, we like to use them while traveling. We load up the kindle – a few books for me, a few books for Bean and off we go! If you haven’t tried reading ebooks with your kid, I suggest you give it a try. You just might be pleasantly surprised! Want to give it a try but don’t want to commit to purchasing an ereader or tablet?  Try reading it on a computer or phone. Or check out your local library, many lend ereaders.

2.       Latke, The Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer and illustrator Tiphanie Beeke

 Latke, the Lucky Dog is the story of a rescue dog adopted on the eve of the festival of lights. Through his mishaps he learns about Chanukah. Dreidels are not for chewing; they are for spinning. Sufganiyot is for sharing not drooling on! Throughout Latke’s many mistakes, he remains thankful that he was adopted. If you have a rescue dog or are thinking about adopting, this book would make a good addition to your holiday shelf. Latke, the Lucky Dog is a four egg book. A sweet story that does its part to expose our littles to the vocabulary of the season.

3.       Simon and the Bear by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrator Mathew Trueman

Simon and the Bear tells the tale of a young boy immigrating to America. As he leaves his mother gives him a small menorah and enough candles to celebrate Chanukah wherever he finds himself. And he finds himself in the most unlikely of places! Afloat on an iceberg, the lone survivor of a shipwreck with only a polar bear for company. With his future unknown, Simon doesn’t lose hope. Every night he lights the candles showing us that even when all seems lost, we can be hopeful.

If you only choose one book to celebrate Chanukah or teach your child about other holiday traditions, choose Simon and the Bear. It is a solid five eggs. It does a beautiful job conveying the spirit of the holiday. But it goes one step further. The book includes a retelling of the plight of the Maccabees, the real story of the miracle of Chanukah. Simon and the Bear is currently only available as an ebook. Yet another reason to check out ebooks or to patronize your local library. Even if they don’t have it, most libraries can get it through their lending network!

Simon and the Bear

Ariel’s Chanukah Favorites

1. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is the story of how Hershel saves Chanukah from the goblins bound and determined to snuff out every candle, crush every dreidel and pitch all the latkes into the dirt. With just his wits and the supplies in his sack Hershel outwits not one, not two but eight goblins, including the king of goblins himself! Every night as they light the menorah the goblins approach him, and every night he comes away the victor until the hold the goblins have over the tiny town is broken. The villagers are once again able to celebrate Chanukah! While Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins did not hold Bean’s attention, I had to include it. This is a five egg book if ever I saw one. While it is too long for now, this Caldecott Winner has withstood the test of time. When she gets a bit older I anticipate this classic will become a favorite. It was for me!

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Hershel and the Goblins is available as an audiobook. How cool is that! While I love the act of reading aloud to my daughter, I am all for exposing my daughter to storytelling in as many media as I can. That is how important I feel it is. So if you want to experiment with audiobooks for children, this might be a good place to start!

2.  Letter on the Wind by Sarah Marwil Lamstein and illustrated by Neil Walman

Letter on the Wind is a retelling of the folktale of Hayim. Without enough oil to celebrate Chanukah the townspeople despair, but despite mockery and laughter Hayim sends his written prayer to heaven on the wind. And a Chanukah miracle happens! Wagon loads of oil appear the next day. But where did Hayim get it from? Is he a thief? Or did the Almighty answer his prayers? A four egg book - Letters on the Wind is simply stunning. The sweeping illustrations bring to life the sheer majesty of the miracle making Chanukah possible. Unfortunately Letter on the Wind is out of print and not available as an ebook OR an audiobook. Bring it back guys, this is a keeper! But that is what libraries are for.

Whether you are celebrating Chanukah or simply want to teach your child about other holiday traditions, these books are a good start. I won’t be offended if you wait a few years to try my suggestions. My Chanukah loves are definitely geared toward older children with longer attention spans. But Bean’s favorites, with their fun cuddly characters, are perfect for the younger crowd.

What are you Chanukah favorites? Let us know in the comments below!

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