Nov 27 2021 JGN Facebook Group Recommends Best Hanukkah Books for Kids

A member of the Jewish Grandparents Network Facebook Group asked this question in the group and got the MOST helpful responses.

My 7-year-old grandson wants to share a Hanukkah book with his public school class. The group is very diverse (think Palestinian, Hindi, Muslim, Christian) and he thinks he may be the only child who celebrates Jewish holidays. So, any suggestions for an age-appropriate Hanukkah book that is informative/engaging without being alienating? As a Jewish educator for 35 years, I’m stymied!

See the rich and varied Hanukkah book recommendations for young kids below.

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Hanukkah Book Recommendations

All about Hanukkah by Judyth Groner and Madeline Wikler (Authors) and Kinny Kreiswirth (Illustrators) 

The Boston Chocolate Party by Tami Lehman-Wilzig (Author), Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz (Author), and Fede Combi (Illustrator)

Bubbie, Abuelita, and Me written and illustrated by Debby Kerbel Shilling

Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman (Author) and Loren Long (Illustrator)  

The Chanukkah Guest by Eric Kimmel (Author) and Giora Carmi (Illustrator)

Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel (Author) and Mike Wohnoutka (Illustrator)

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel (Author) and Trina Schart Hyman (Illustrator) 

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen (Author) and Mark Teague (Illustrator) 

Kayla and Kugel’s Happy Hanukkah by Ann D. Koffsky (Author, Illustrator)

Latkes for Santa Claus by Janie Emaus (Author) and Bryan Langdo (Illustrator)

Like a Maccabee by Raymond Zwerin and Audrey Friedman Marcus (Authors) and Giora Carmi (Illustrator) 

Meet the Latkes by Alan Silberberg (Author) 

The Only One Club by Jane Naliboff (Author) and Jeff Hopkins (Illustrator) 

A Rugrats Chanukah by Kim Smith (Illustrator)

Sharing Hanukkah at School (PJLibrary) 

Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf by Greg Wolfe (Author) and Howard McWilliam (Illustrator)

 The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler (Author) and Jill Weber (Illustrator) 

Members of the Jewish Kidlit Mavens Facebook Group generously shared ideas too.

Caleb’s Hanukkah by Lisa Bullard (Author) and Constanza Basaluzzo (Illustrator)

Debbie’s Song: The Debbie Friedman Story by Ellen Leventhal (Author) and Natalia Grebtsova (Illustrator)

Hannah’s Hanukkah Hiccups by Shanna Silva (Author) and Bob McMahon (Illustrator)

Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky (Author) and Greg Harlin (Illustrator)

Hanukkah Nights by Amalia Hoffman

Harvest of Light by Allison Maile Ofanansky (Author)

How it’s Made: Hanukkah Menorah by Allison Ofanansky (Author) and Eliyahu Alpern (Photographer)

Larry’s Latkes by Jenna Waldman (Author) and Ben Whitehouse (Illustrator) 

The Ninth Night of Hanukkah by Erica S. Perl (Author) and Shahar Kober (Illustrator)

Rivka’s Presents by Laurie Wallmark (Author) and Adelina Lirius (Illustrator)

She’s a Mensch!: Jewish Women Who Rocked the World by Rachelle Burk (Author), Alana Barouch (Author), and Arielle Trenk (Illustrator)

Toby Belfer Never Had a Christmas Tree by Gloria Pushker (Author) and Judith Hierstein (Illustrator)