A Guide to Hanukkah Literature

This is a selected list of books about Hanukkah (Chanukah) for preschool through grade 8.

• Picture Books
• Juvenile Fiction
• Non Fiction
  • Stories and Activities
  • Facts and History

Picture Books

Adler, D. A. (1989). Happy Hanukkah rebus. New York: Viking Kestral.

Sharon hears from her parents the story that underlies their celebration of Hanukkah. In rebus format. (Grade PreK-2).
Call Number: Pj Adl

Chanover, H. (1954). Happy Hanukah everybody. United Synagogue Commission on Jewish Education.

While waiting for their father to come home with the Hanukkah candles, Mimmy and Joel prepare decorations with their mother for the family celebration. (Grade K-2).
Call Number: Pj Cha

Hirsch, M. (1984). I love Hanukkah. New York: Holiday House.

A young boy describes his family's celebration of Hanukkah and the things he likes about the holiday. (Grade PreK-2).
Call Number: Pj Hir

Hirsch, M. (1982). Potato pancakes all around: A Hanukkah tale. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America.

A wandering peddler teaches the villagers how to make potato pancakes from a crust of bread. (Grade PreK-3).
Call Number: Pj Hir

Kimmel, E. A. (1989). Herschel and the Hanukkah goblins. New York: Holiday House.

Relates how Herschel outwits the goblins that haunt the old synagogue and prevent the village people from celebrating Hanukkah. (Grade PreK-3).
Call Number: Pj Kim

Pushker, G. T. (1991). Toby Belfer never had a Christmas tree. Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Company.

Toby Belfer gives a party for her friends in order to explain Hanukkah, including the story of Judah Maccabee, the significance of the menorah, how to make potato latkas, and how to play the game of dreidel. (Grade PreK-3).
Call Number: Pj Pus

Stillerman, M. (1998). Nine spoons: A Chanukah story. Brooklyn, NY: Hachai Pub.

A few brave souls in a Nazi camp are determined to gather nine spoons to make a menorah for Chanukah. (Grade K-3).
Call Number: Pj Sti

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Juvenile Fiction

Golden, B. D. (1988). Just enough is plenty: A Hanukkah tale. New York: Viking Kestral.

With Hanukkah about to begin, Rivkeh is worried because her family is so poor, but when a poor stranger comes to the door, her generous family cannot turn him away. (Grade K-4).
Call Number: j Gol

Howe, I. (1974). Yiddish stories, old and new. New York: Holiday House.

A collection of short stories and poetry that introduces Jewish culture and family life. (Grade 5-8).
Call Number: j How

Rosen, M. J. (1992). Elijah's angel: A story for Chanukah and Christmas. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Michael and Elijah are friends, but when Elijah gives Michael one of his special carved angels, Michael doesn't know what to do. How can he possibly take home a Christmas angel, a forbidden graven image--especially on Chanukah? (Grade K-4).
Call Number: j Ros

Sussman, S. (1983). There's no such thing as a Hanukkah bush. Niles, IL: A. Whitman.

A wise, understanding grandfather helps Robin, a Jewish child, cope with Christmas; not an easy task when even Sandy, who is also Jewish, is allowed to have a Christmas tree and Robin can't have one. (Grade 4-8).
Call Number: j Sus

Taylor, S. (1980). Danny loves a holiday. New York: Dutton.

Throughout the year Danny and his family celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Hamishah Asar Bishevat, Purim, Passover, Lag ba-Omer, Shavuot, and the Sabbath. (Grade K-4).
Call Number: j Tay

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Non-Fiction

Stories and Activities

Becker, J. (1978). Hanukkah crafts. New York: Bonim Books.

Imaginative projects make use of readily available, inexpensive materials to make decorations for use in the classroom and home. (Grade K-8).
Call Number: j 745.5 Bec

Coopersmith, J. (1969). A Chanukah fable for Christmas. New York: Putnam.

A young Jewish boy's wish for a "fat man in red" for Chanukah comes true. (Grade 4-8).
Call Number: j 811 Coo

Drucker, M. (1994). The family treasury of Jewish holidays. Boston: Little Brown and Company.

Celebrate the Jewish holidays with this rich compendium of facts, activities, and stories from around the world. (Grade K-5).
Call Number: j 296.4 Dru

Ehrlich, A. (1989). The story of Hanukkah. New York: Dial Books.

Retells the Biblical story that is celebrated in the feast of Hanukkah. (Grade 4-8).
Call Number: j 296.435 Ehr

Hanukkah fun: Crafts and games. (1992). Honesdale, PA: Bell Books.

A wide assortment of fun and useful Hanukkah crafts and games with easy to follow directions. (Grade K-3).
Call Number: Curr. Mats. TT900.H34 H36 1992

Oberman, S. (1997). By the Hanukkah light. Honesdale PA: Boyds Mills Press.

When the family gathers to celebrate Hanukkah, Grandfather tells his own story of the holiday from World War II. (Grade PreK-3).
Call Number: j 296.4 Obe

Ross, K. (1996). Crafts for Hanukkah. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press.

Twenty different crafts designed for young children with colorful step by step instructions. (Grade PreK-2).
Call Number: j 745.594 Ros

Songs of Chanukah. (1992). Boston: Little, Brown.

A collection of folk and contemporary songs for voice and piano. Includes chord symbols for guitar. (Grade K-3).
Call Number: j 781.629 Son

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Facts and History

Adler, D. (1997). Chanukah in Chelm. New York: Holiday House.

When the Rabbi tells Mendel to get a table for the Chanukah menorah, Mendel makes the task more difficult than it should be. (Grade 1-4).
Call Number: j 398.208 Adl

Adler, D. (1982). A picture book of Hanukkah. New York: Holiday House.

Discusses how the celebration of Hanukkah came about, what it signifies, and the ways in which it is celebrated today. (Grade K-3).
Call Number: j 296.435 Adl

Chaikin, M. (1981). Light another candle: The story and meaning of Hanukkah. New York: Houghton Mifflin/Clarion Books.

Retells the story of Hanukkah and explains its symbols by describing high points in Jewish history, worship, and culture. (Grade 4-8).
Call Number: j 296.4 Cha

Clark, A. (1998). A world of holidays: Hanukkah. Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn.

Examines the traditions and celebrations associated with the Jewish festival of lights. (Grade 4-8).
Call Number: j 296.435 Cla

Cohn, J. (1995). The Christmas menorahs: How a town fought hate. Morton Grove, IL: A. Whitman.

Describes how people in Billings, Montana joined together to fight a series of hate crimes against a Jewish family. (Grade 4-8).
Call Number: j 305.892 Coh

Donahue, S. F. (1998). Celebrate Hanukkah with me. Washington Crossing, PA: Arimax.

A description of the history and celebration of Hanukkah, as told by a Jewish girl to her Christian friend. (Grade 3-8).
Call Number: j 296.435 Don

Marx, D. F. (2000). Chanukah. New York: Children's Press.

Introduces the history, customs, meaning, and celebration of Chanukah. (Grade PreK-3).
Call Number: j 296.4 Mar

Simon, N. (1997). The story of Hanukkah. New York: Harper Collins.

Explains the history and traditions that are a part of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. (Grade 4-8).
Call Number: j 296.435 Sim

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