So many books on the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah. Which one to choose? Here are a few that stand out.

Sammy Spider’s First Hanukkah – For ages four to eight, Sammy watches longingly as Josh Shapiro lights another candle and receives a brightly-colored dreidel each night of Hanukkah. “Spiders don’t spin dreidels, spiders spin webs!” Sammy’s mother reminds him. Then on the last night, Sammy gets his own spinning surprise.

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins – For ages four to eight, every year the Hanukkah goblins snuff out the menorah candles, destroy the dreidels, and pitch the potato latkes on the floor. Hershel of Ostropol outwits the nasty beasties and saves the holiday!

Hanukkah! – For ages four to eight, this book by Roni Schotter won the

National Jewish Book Award. It follows one family’s celebration of the holiday, from eating latkes and spinning the dreidel, to singing prayers and lighting the menorah. With sweet rhyming text and warm illustrations, this is the perfect way to celebrate the festival of lights. 

The Golden Dreydl- For ages nine to 12, Sara finds Chanukah celebrations boring. When her Tante Miriam arrives and gives her a Golden Dreydl, everything changes. The dreydl, an enchanted princess in disguise, takes Sara on a journey to a magical world. This book by Ellen Kushner is a delightful holiday tale that weaves together threads of Jewish folklore and tradition with fantasy and humor.

Latke stories

The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story – For irreverent Lemony Snicket fans of all ages. A particularly irate latke is the star of this book, but many other holiday icons appear and even speak: flashing colored lights, cane-shaped candy, a pine tree, even Santa Claus. People who are interested in any or all of these things will find this book so enjoyable it will feel as though Hanukkah were being celebrated for several years, rather than eight nights.

Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat: A Chanukah Story For children four to eight, Sadie and her four little brothers are very poor and always hungry. On the first night of Chanukah, Sadie performs a generous act, and in turn receives a frying pan that cooks up sizzling hot, golden latkes on command. Sadie tells her brothers never to use the magic pan, but when she goes out one afternoon, the mischievous boys can’t resist. They remember the words to start the pan cooking . . . but what were the words to make it stop? This humorous tale of generosity and greed is accompanied by bright, cheerful illustrations depicting a traditional Russian village. An author’s note and a recipe for Sadie’s latkes are included.

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes For ages four to eight, it’s the last night of Hanukkah and there are only three little potatoes left, and not enough to make latkes for the relatives. Rachel has the solution, she will borrow some potatoes from Mrs. Greenberg. And then she will invite Mrs. Greenberg, who is all alone, to share Hanukkah with them. But though Mrs. Greenberg has a heart of gold, she is a stubborn as an ox, she doesn’t want to be a bother. Luckily, Rachel is one smart and equally stubborn little girl.

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