{"id":90499,"date":"2025-11-28T14:12:28","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T19:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=90499"},"modified":"2025-11-28T14:13:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T19:13:07","slug":"from-golems-to-horton-to-banana-menorahs-this-years-chanukah-kids-books-light-up-the-imagination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/from-golems-to-horton-to-banana-menorahs-this-years-chanukah-kids-books-light-up-the-imagination\/","title":{"rendered":"From golems to Horton to banana menorahs: This year\u2019s Chanukah kids\u2019 books light up the imagination"},"content":{"rendered":"

By PENNY SCHWARTZ<\/p>\n

(JTA) \u2014 From Who-ville to Schmoozeville, and from island getaways to cozy homes, this year\u2019s crop of Chanukah books for kids of all ages take families on journeys to imaginative settings, some familiar from the pantheon of children\u2019s literature and Jewish ideas. Families from across the diverse Jewish spectrum will enjoy the new titles that celebrate the popular eight-day holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights.<\/p>\n

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(Random House)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Three titles garnered the recommendation of the Association of Jewish Libraries \u2014 \u201cConstruction Site, Hanukkah Lights,\u201d \u201cBanana Menorah\u201d and \u201cLost and Found Hanukkah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chanukah begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 14.<\/p>\n

\u201cConstruction Site Hanukkah Lights\u201d<\/p>\n

Sherri Duskey Rinker and Shawna J.C. Tenney<\/p>\n

Chronicle Books; ages 2-4<\/p>\n

The youngest children \u2014 particularly those who are vehicle-obsessed \u2014 will enjoy lifting the flaps of this rhyming story, in which a dump truck, a crane and a cement mixer transform a construction site into a Hanukkah wonderland with a dazzling giant menorah and a huge pile of shiny gold Chanukah gelt.<\/p>\n

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(Kar-Ben Publishing)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cHappy HanukKat\u201d<\/p>\n

Jessica Hickman; illustrated by Elissambura<\/p>\n

Kar-Ben Publishing; ages 1-4<\/p>\n

Jessica Hickman\u2019s sweet, rhyming board book about a lively Jewish family of kittens will tickle the youngest kids, who will have fun celebrating each night of the holiday with the Hanukkah party-loving cat family. Elissambura\u2019s playful illustrations feature kitties in Hanukkah party hats and sweaters.<\/p>\n

\u201cGolem Loves Latkes: A Tasty Hanukkah Tale\u201d<\/p>\n

Doreen Klein Robinson; illustrated by Anna Krajewska<\/p>\n

Intergalactic Afikomen; ages 3-10<\/p>\n

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(Apples & Honey Press)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In Doreen Klein Robinson\u2019s fun-filled story, an endearing little girl loves to visit her bubbie for Chanukah in the happy village of Schmoozeville, where everyone likes to schmooze \u2013 chat, in Yiddish. But this year, the usually friendly townsfolk are bickering about the best topping for fried potato latkes \u2014 applesauce or sour cream. The young girl makes a clay dreidel that spins to life as a golem, the centuries-old Jewish mystical clay figure who protects Jews. When the latke-loving golem gobbles up all of Schmoozeville\u2019s crispy latkes, the clever girl takes the golem\u2019s message to the warring camps: Enjoy your latkes however you like and celebrate the true meaning of the holiday. Anna Krajewska\u2019s lively, colorful illustrations add to the mayhem and score points for featuring a youthful, active bubbie.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Seuss\u2019s Horton Hears a Hanukkah Party!\u201d<\/p>\n

Leslie Kimmelman; illustrated by Tom Brannon, based on \u201cHorton Hears a Who!\u201d by Dr. Seuss<\/p>\n

Random House; ages 3-7<\/p>\n

Horton the Elephant looms large in Leslie Kimmelman\u2019s rhyming riff on the classic \u201cHorton Hears a Who!\u201d by Dr. Seuss. The original features an elephant who champions the small against the mighty \u2014 a perfect character for the Hanukkah story. In this version, only Horton hears the faint sound of celebration that goes on night after night, so his jungle friends tease him. On the eighth night Horton sees the sparkling menorah belonging to a rabbi, who invites Horton and his pals to his family\u2019s celebration. Tom Brannon\u2019s illustrations translate the essence of Seuss\u2019s  floppy-eared Horton to a Jewish setting.<\/p>\n

\u201cBanana Menorah\u201d<\/p>\n

Lee Wind; illustrated by Karl West<\/p>\n

Apples & Honey Press; ages 3-5<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>In Lee Wind\u2019s light-hearted story, Skylar, a spirited young girl, and her two fathers are vacationing on an island far from home on the first night of Chanukah. But both dads forgot to pack a menorah. The clever girl improvises with what\u2019s on hand \u2014 the first night, it\u2019s a banana menorah, the next, a granola bar. When they get home in time for the fourth candle and light their three menorahs, Skylar misses the new ones. For the rest of the holiday, her family celebrates with friends and all kinds of menorahs. Karl West\u2019s animated illustrations add to the fun for a playful, creative holiday. Instructions for a banana menorah at the end \u2014 though there are also mass market versions available to buy.<\/p>\n

\u201cLost and Found Hanukkah\u201d<\/p>\n

Joy Preble; illustrated by Lisa Anchin<\/p>\n

Chronicle Books; ages 5-8<\/p>\n

LGBT families and homemade menorahs are part of Joy Preble\u2019s heartwarming story about Nate, who loves celebrating Hanukkah and lighting his family\u2019s three menorahs, including one he made. When he and his two fathers move to a new apartment, Nate\u2019s menorah gets lost. At Amy\u2019s Judaica shop, Nate befriends the latke-loving, furry store kitty named Kugel, who runs out of the shop. When Nate\u2019s dads fry up a batch of latkes for the holiday, the clever boy hatches a plan to find Kugel. By story\u2019s end, everyone is reunited in time to celebrate Hanukkah and Nate carves a perfect new menorah. Lisa Anchin\u2019s large cartoon-style illustrations reflect the story\u2019s warmth and love.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurel Snyder; illustrated by Leanne Hatch<\/p>\n

Clarion Books; ages 4-8<\/p>\n

Children will enjoy following a young girl, her siblings, their parents and \u2014 again \u2014 a kitten as they light Chanukah candles every night. Each night\u2019s poem flows lyrically to the next. The award-winning Laurel Snyder adds a note for each candle that illuminates the themes of the holiday and turns the story into a teachable moment. Leanne Hatch\u2019s cartoon-style illustrations capture the cozy, wintry setting and glow of the flickering flames<\/p>\n

\u201cA Dragon Called Spark: A Hanukkah Story\u201d<\/p>\n

Lily Murray; illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman<\/p>\n

Kalaniot Books; ages 4-7<\/p>\n

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(Kalaniot Books)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In Lily Murray\u2019s imaginative tale, a young girl named Eva feels lonely when she and her family move somewhere new and she is far from friends at the start of Hanukkah. For comfort, Eva turns to Spark, her imaginary friend, a diminutive flying dragon. But Eva is worried that Spark is lonely and hopes for a Chanukah miracle \u2014 a friend for herself and for Spark. When she meets Charlie, her neighbor, they become friends and she tells him about Spark, whom he can\u2019t see. The power of friendship shines in this poignant story. Kirsty Beautyman\u2019s illustrations capture the magic of the tale, which gets high marks for featuring a multiracial friendship.<\/p>\n

\u201cEight Fairy Nights\u201d<\/p>\n

Imagined and illustrated by Bub<\/p>\n

BookBaby; ages 4-8<\/p>\n

Bub\u2019s unique Hanukkah story introduces young kids to a fairytale version of the Chanukah story and the Maccabees \u2014 who are lauded for their courage. Readers then meet eight fairies with eight virtues, one for each night. The book captures Bub\u2019s enthusiasm for celebrating Chanukah, and his weakness for riddles. Without referencing God\u2019s hand in the Chanukah miracle, \u201cEight Fairy Nights,\u201d may be especially appealing to secular and humanist Jews.<\/p>\n

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