Spotlight on Hanukkah
Two Books that Celebrate and Teach About Hanukkah
When seeking out religious holiday books, I am looking for authenticity: realistic characters, accurate history, and a genuine representation of the faith. You may recall my Ramadan and Eid post, and this is the next in my slowly developing series on holy days.
I have selected two current Hanukkah publications, one celebratory and instructional, the other a fictional story. Jewish families can celebrate with and see themselves in these books, and non-Jewish audiences can learn about Hanukkah and behold commonalities with those of a different faith.
The Ninth Night of Hanukkah
Written by Erica S. Perl
Illustrated by Shahar Kober
Mom's Review
Hanukkah lasts for eight nights; one candle is placed in a menorah and lit each night. A ninth candle, the shamash, is used to light the other candles. In The Ninth Night of Hanukkah, a family is settling into their new apartment, but have not finished unpacking. The box with their Hanukkah supplies remains unopened. While the parents unpack, the children find a way to celebrate Hanukkah without a menorah, candles, dreidels, or any other supplies. By enlisting the help of neighbors, they creatively solve the problem of the missing items: birthday candles instead of menorah candles, chocolate chips instead of gelt, and fries instead of latkes, etc. The family finds a way to celebrate together and bond with their new neighbors. When the movers show up after Hanukkah with a box they had initially missed, the family discovers where their Hanukkah items have been. To thank their neighbors for the past 8 nights of help, they hold a unique "Shamash Night," inviting everyone to come for latkes, songs, dreidel games, and friendship.
I particularly like this picture book because the sense of community and joyful welcome is palpable. The apartment building is filled with diverse characters. It is evident that none of the other families are Jewish, but this stops no one from offering their assistance to a family looking to celebrate a religious holiday. The children's problem solving is timely; our holiday celebrations will certainly be unusual this year. Readers see that breaking with tradition doesn't mean the holiday is any less special; the value of a holy time can shine through, whether you use the "right" material objects in your celebrations or not. It's also easy to see oneself in the family, regardless of faith. Relying on others, being in an unfamiliar environment, or facing challenges during the holidays are something we can all identify with. The Ninth Night of Hanukkah is a winner for us this holiday season (and anytime, really).
Son's Review
I liked Joe the Super.
[If the kids came to me] I would give 'em chocolate chips and if they had a missing dreidel, then I would let them borrow a dreidel.
Hanukkah in a Book
Illustrated by Carolyn Gavin
I particularly like this picture book because the sense of community and joyful welcome is palpable. The apartment building is filled with diverse characters. It is evident that none of the other families are Jewish, but this stops no one from offering their assistance to a family looking to celebrate a religious holiday. The children's problem solving is timely; our holiday celebrations will certainly be unusual this year. Readers see that breaking with tradition doesn't mean the holiday is any less special; the value of a holy time can shine through, whether you use the "right" material objects in your celebrations or not. It's also easy to see oneself in the family, regardless of faith. Relying on others, being in an unfamiliar environment, or facing challenges during the holidays are something we can all identify with. The Ninth Night of Hanukkah is a winner for us this holiday season (and anytime, really).
Son's Review
I liked Joe the Super.
[If the kids came to me] I would give 'em chocolate chips and if they had a missing dreidel, then I would let them borrow a dreidel.
Hanukkah in a Book
Illustrated by Carolyn Gavin
Published by Abrams, September, 2019
Mom's Review
This book is a factual explanation of Hanukkah's history and how people celebrate. Readers learn of the desecration of the Temple, its rededication, and the miracle of one jar of oil lasting eight days (when it should have only lasted one). Blessings to say over the candles are included in English and Hebrew, as is the Hanerot Halal, a chant from the Talmud. Following the historical and religious significance of the holiday, readers learn about common practices, such as playing dreidel, enjoying jelly doughnuts, and cooking latkes.
This book is a factual explanation of Hanukkah's history and how people celebrate. Readers learn of the desecration of the Temple, its rededication, and the miracle of one jar of oil lasting eight days (when it should have only lasted one). Blessings to say over the candles are included in English and Hebrew, as is the Hanerot Halal, a chant from the Talmud. Following the historical and religious significance of the holiday, readers learn about common practices, such as playing dreidel, enjoying jelly doughnuts, and cooking latkes.
Hanukkah in a Book can be a review of the history and miracle for the faithful or a clear introduction to the holiday for non-Jews. It is exactly what I was hoping to find to help T understand the significance of Hanukkah.
Son's Review
What I think is the best part...How it can turn into a menorah, and how on every page you can put a candle up for every day of Hanukkah.
Note: Review copies of both books were provided upon request for the purpose of this post.
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