Hanukkah - A SEASON OF LIGHTS

Hanukkah is a holiday about how unshakable faith triumphed in the struggle for personal and religious freedom, as it has so many times throughout Jewish history. Hanukkah is also a holiday of many miracles. It is called the festival of lights because of one of these miracle stories. Legend has it that the candles in the most holy Temple were kept burning for eight nights with just one small vat of oil. According to another tradition, Judah Maccabee and his brothers were fierce warriors. They wanted religious freedom and so they fought their oppressors, the mighty Greek army --- and won!

Hanukkah is not "Jewish Christmas," though the celebration in America has become more similar to Christmas, probably due to the fact that they fall around the same time. The most important ritual for Hanukkah revolves around creating light --- lighting the menorah. Books are a great way to "en-lighten" yourself and immerse yourself in tradition. Books also make wonderful gifts for Hanukkah. Kidsreads has gathered together some of the finest, both about the season and about Jewish traditions and history.

ZIGAZAK! A Magical Hanukkah Night
by Eric A. Kimmel
illustrated by Jon Goodell
Doubleday
ISBN: 0385326521
Ages 4-8

Easily the least schmaltzy Hanukkah book this year, ZIGAZAK! tells the story of two mischievous devils out to have a little fun in a small town called Brisk one chilly night during Hanukkah. With the help of the magic word "Zigazak!" the two troublemakers cast magic spells on all the latkes, dreidels and menorahs in town. Their antics may scare the villagers, but the town Rabbi is too smart to be sacred off by a couple of dancing dreidels --- a wise and holy man, he knows that "sparks of goodness exist in all things, even in devils' tricks." An imaginative and amusing holiday read!

ON HANUKKAH
by Cathy Goldberg Fishman
illustrated by Melanie W. Hall
Aladdin Paperbacks
ISBN: 0689845790
Ages 4-8

From the story of Judah Maccabee to why latkes are eaten during Hanukkah, the history and traditions of the Festival of Lights are explained through the voice of a young girl in this thoughtfully written, sweetly illustrated book. The perfect book to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah!

HANUKKAH, Festival of Lights: Celebrate with Songs, Decorations, Food, Games, Prayers and Traditions
by Jeff O'Hare
Boyds Mills
ISBN: 1563979071
Ages 5-12

This jam-packed book is filled with wonderful ideas for celebrating Hanukkah. From prayers to recipes to crafts, this is a super way to learn more about this holiday and start some new traditions in your family.

THE JAR OF FOOLS: Eight Hanukkah Stories from Chelm
by Eric A. Kimmel
Holiday House
ISBN: 0823414639
Ages 9-12

This collection of folktales, some well-known, some original, shine the spotlight on the foolish people of Chelm (a Polish town that serves as home to an endearing but not-too-bright population; oft-mentioned in Jewish folklore).

MOISHE'S MIRACLE: A Hanukkah Story
by Laura Kress Melmed
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0688146821
Ages 4-8

One winter Moishe the milkman receives a very special gift --- a magic frying pan that is capable of frying up an endless supply of latkes, but only when Moishe uses it and says the magic words. Unfortunately, Moishe's wife Baila isn't satisfied, even when she has more than enough latkes to eat. When she tries to get more from the gift, her plan backfires. Humorous details and nifty illustrations that bring the Old World setting to life make this a fun holiday read.

WHEN MINDY SAVED HANUKKAH
by Eric A. Kimmel
illustrated by Barbara McClintock
Scholastic
ISBN: 0590371363
Ages 4-8

The Klein family (mice, not people) live in the walls of a synagogue on New York City's Lower East Side. As Hanukkah approaches, the Kleins are in a tizzy over not having a menorah. Will Mindy save the day---and sneak by a cat?

HOW I SAVED HANUKKAH
by Amy Goldman Koss
illustrated by Diane deGroat
Puffin
ISBN: 0141309822
Ages 9-12

All of Marla's Christian friends decorate and celebrate at Christmas time, but Marla's family doesn't do much to make Hanukkah exciting. No fair! But thanks to Marla's hard work and research, this year Marla and her family will enjoy a Hanukkah to remember.

WHILE THE CANDLES BURN: Eight Stories for Hanukkah
by Barbara Diamond Goldin
Puffin
ISBN: 0140373411
Ages 4-8

WHILE THE CANDLES BURN offers eight stories, original and traditional, that reflect the significance of the Festival of Lights. Author Diamond Goldin also weaves in contemporary issues such as the role of women in Judaism and peace between Arabs and Israelis. Celebrate this season with this lovely stories, meant to be shared.

Other books about Jewish people and traditions:

   • Passover Book Roundup
   • FREEDOM BEYOND THE SEA by Waldtraut Lewin
   • SURVIVING HITLER: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps
   • DREAMS IN THE GOLDEN COUNTRY by Kathryn Lasky
   • ONE EYE LAUGHING THE OTHER WEEPING by Barry Denenberg
   • MY TWO GRANDMOTHERS by Effin Older

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