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The Best Children's Hanukkah Books

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Picture Books about Hanukkah for Preschool or Elementary Age Kids

Most children love their parents to read to them, and reading Hanukkah books together as a family is a great holiday tradition to begin.  Whether your children are very familiar with Hanukkah, or you are introducing them to Hanukkah for the first time - these are the best children's books about Hanukkah.  Many explain the holiday's roots, and give the story of the first Hanukkah.  A few are just fun, because it is important for children to feel the holiday is fun and not just steeped in tradition.  

Full of vivid pictures, these books will capture the imagination of preschoolers and young elementary students no matter what the setting.  They are perfect for family or classroom use!

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah by Susan L. Roth

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah (Picture Puffin Books)

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah (Picture Puffin Books)

by: Susan L. Roth

Amazon Price: $0.24 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

A fun little book that uses the text of the song "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah" and has illustrations of mice acting it all out. There is a small ration of words to pictures, so it is good for short attention spans or the youngest children. For instance, "Gather round the table, we'll give you a treat. Dreidels to play with, latkes to eat." spans 4 pages. This does not go in depth, but is good for introducing words associated with the Hanukkah celebration and other holiday concepts.

Also this book would be good for early readers!

Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky

Hanukkah at Valley Forge

Hanukkah at Valley Forge

by: Stephen Krensky

Amazon Price: $3.89 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

A unique book with beautiful artwork, "Hanukkah at Valley Forge" is a story based on true facts about a Jewish soldier at the battle of Valley Forge who explains Hanukkah to George Washington. While explaining the symbolism of the menorah and the story of the first Hanukkah, the book parallels the struggle of the colonial army with the army of the Maccabees. This book would be great for a Jewish student feeling different for celebrating a different holiday than his classmates, or a classroom of students learning about Hanukkah for the first time.

Light the Candles by Joan Holub

A Hanukkah Lift-the-Flap Book

Light the Candles: A Hanukkah Lift-the-Flap Book (Picture Puffins)

Light the Candles: A Hanukkah Lift-the-Flap Book (Picture Puffins)

by: Joan Holub

Amazon Price: $2.87 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

A cute, short repetitive poem punctuated by flaps the child can lift. For instance, Day 1 is "Light one candle. Hanukkah has begun. The next eight days will be such fun." and the flap lifts to show a family coming in a door bearing gifts. It says "We give presents!"

This is a great book for little ones, but you'll want something longer and more descriptive as your child gets older.

A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm by Jon Koons

A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm

A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm

by: Jon Koons

Amazon Price: $2.64 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

A whimsical book about the village of Chelm who forgot how to celebrate Hanukkah after their rabbi disappeared. Sending a man to the big city to find out what to do, he ran into people with Christmas trees. When he returned with what he observed, the holiday traditions got jumbled and hilarity ensued. Luckily, the rabbi returned just in time to remind the villagers what needed to happen and he told the story of the first Hanukkah. The village never forgot again!

Oh Chanukah by L.J. Goodman

Oh Chanukah

Oh Chanukah

by: L.J. Goodman

Amazon Price: $2.95 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

A sturdy board book with large flaps to lift, this book touches on many of the traditions of Hanukkah. From latkes to playing dreidel, the cute family in this book celebrates the holiday along with their pets. Vivid pictures and the interactive flaps will make this a favorite of your preschoolers.

D is for Dreidel by Tanya Lee Stone

A Hanukkah Alphabet Book

D Is for Dreidel

D Is for Dreidel

by: Tanya Lee Stone

Amazon Price: $12.49 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

My kids are very fond of this book. It tells all about Hanukkah by highlighting a Hanukkah word for every letter, and giving a 4 line rhyme about it. For instance "S is for Shamash, The first candle lit, We light all the other, Bright candles with it!"
There are fun illustrations on every page, and a bonus writeup - "The Story of Hanukkah" on the back cover. It tells the whole story of the first Hanukkah in age appropriate wording.

Other Hanukkah Books for Children

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Free Hanukkah Printables and Crafts

From Disney's Family Fun Magazine

Festival of Lights Word Search - Free Hanukkah printable

Embossed Menorah - Hanukkah craft

Paper Cones - Hanukkah craft

Paper Dreidel - Free Hanukkah printable

Other Fun Hanukkah Things for Children

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Other Kid Lit Sites by Amy1980

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amy1980

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Things I am: a wife, a mother, a Texan, a small business owner, a Sunday School coordinator, a freelance writer, a voracious reader, a computer... more »

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