Since Hanukkah is observed for eight days, it makes sense to list 8 great books about this holiday, but that’s nowhere near enough. It deserves more, and there are just so many fine picture books to pick from. So, we’re doubling that number and sharing 16 instead!
Hopefully, this list is a mix of old favorites and new-to-you treats. Enjoy!
Chanukah Lights Everywhere by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Melissa Iwai (October 2006)
From Goodreads: “One crescent moon glows in the sky. Two headlights shine through the window.… On each magical night of Chanukah, a young boy and his sister count more lights shining all around them! Join them as they discover what it means to celebrate Chanukah in a world filled with so many other lights.”
Pages: 32
Reading Age: 4–7
Hanukkah Delight! by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Amy Husband (August 2016)
From Goodreads: “Whimsical bunnies celebrate Hanukkah in this charming rhyming board book describing all the Hanukkah rituals beloved by Jewish kids.”
Pages: 12
Reading Age: 1–4
Hanukkah Lights by David Martin, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (September 2009)
From Goodreads: “Sweet illustrations and simple language bring the holidays to life for the youngest of children.
Candles on the menorah, ready to light! At Hanukkah, there are many much-anticipated rituals — latkes to eat, dreidels to spin, presents to give and receive, and shiny gold treats. Add some free-form fun, from shadow puppetry to singing and dancing, and you have a warm, truly child-friendly celebration.”
Pages: 26
Reading Age: 0–3
The Hanukkah Mice by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Michelle Shapiro (October 2021)
From Goodreads: “It’s the first night of Hanukkah, and the mouse family secretly looks on as Mr. Silman lights the first Hanukkah candle. Then they watch Rachel Silman open a gift from her family, a beautiful dollhouse with a wraparound porch and tiny lace curtains. Just the right size for us, whispers Mindy Mouse. While the Silmans are asleep, the mouse family explores the dollhouse. On each night of the holiday, they enjoy the small pieces of furniture and dishes of food that magically appear. Finally, on the eighth night of Hanukkah, a small miracle occurs, showcased nicely in Michelle Shapiro’s colorful gouache illustrations.”
Pages: 42
Reading Age: 3–7
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (October 1994)
From Goodreads: “A traveler rids a village synagogue of goblins. A Caldecott Honor Book.”
Pages: 32
Reading Age: 4–8
Hoppy Hanukkah! by Linda Glaser, illustrated by Daniel Howarth (September 2009)
From Goodreads: “Violet and Simon, two small bunnies, are excited about Hanukkah. Simon is ready to light all the candles and then blow them right out! But Mama and Papa explain how to celebrate Hanukkah by lighting one candle each night at sunset and placing the menorah in the window for all to see. Grandma and Grandpa come over, too, and there are latkes and presents and a dreidel game. Linda Glaser’s simple, cozy story is just right for children first learning about this holiday. Daniel Howarth’s charming paintings show a happy family passing on their tradition.”
Pages: 24
Reading Age: 5–6
How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague (September 2012)
From Goodreads: “From the warm glow of holiday candles in the menorah to the fun of family gatherings, little dinosaurs love to celebrate the Festival of Lights. But sometimes the excitement of Chanukah, its treasured rituals, and the tradition of gifts can tempt a youngster to misbehave.…
Come along on a joyful romp filled with tumbling dreidels and melting gelt as America’s favorite prehistoric pals spread a little mischief this season. Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs fidget, fuss, and stomp through every occasion, while their human parents shift from shock to weary patience.
Filled with warmth and cheer, this new book by the bestselling team of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague makes a perfect gift to be read again and again, year after year. How do dinosaurs say Happy Chanukah? The same way they say Merry Christmas: With an abundance of love, joy, memory, and gratitude.”
Pages: 40
Reading Age: 0–4
Larry’s Latkes by Jenna Waldman, illustrated Ben Whitehouse (October 2021)
From Goodreads: “Everyone knows that Big Larry makes the best latkes in town. This year he is throwing a Hanukkah party for all this friends, and the latkes need to be extra special. He goes on a quest to find some brand-new flavors at the farmer’s market. But peaches are a soggy mess, and turnips are a flop. Big Larry’s kitchen is a latke disaster. Good thing he has some help from his friends.”
Pages: 32
Reading Age: 4–8
Latke, the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke (August 2014)
From Goodreads: “Rescued from an animal shelter on the first night of Hanukkah, Latke has trouble learning the house rules. Despite a series of mishaps, he is one Lucky Dog!”
Pages: 24
Reading Age: 2–8
Meet the Latkes by Alan Silberberg (October 2018)
From Goodreads: “Imagine James Marshall’s The Stupids celebrating Hanukkah, and you’d get the Latke family!
Lucy Latke’s family is just like yours or mine. Except that they’re potato pancakes. And also, they are completely clueless. After lighting the menorah and gobbling the gelt, Grandpa Latke tells everyone the Hanukkah story, complete with mighty Mega Bees who use a giant dreidel to fight against the evil alien potatoes from Planet Chhh. It’s up to the Latke family dog to set the record straight. (To start with, they were Maccabees, not Mega Bees…) But he’ll have to get the rest of the Latkes to listen to him first!”
Pages: 36
Reading Age: 3–5
Moishe’s Miracle: A Hanukkah Story by Laura Krauss Melmed, illustrated by David Slonim (October 2005)
From Goodreads: “Kind-hearted Moishe is given a magical frying pan that will produce all the latkes you could wish for latkes by the dozen, latkes by the hundreds but only Moishe must use it. Alas, his short-tempered wife, Baila, does not heed the warning.”
Pages: 32
Reading Age: 0–12
The Night Before Hanukkah by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer (October 2014)
From Goodreads: “It’s the night before the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah begins, and everyone is excited! Each evening, the family gathers to light the candles and share holiday traditions such as playing dreidel, eating latkes, and exchanging gifts. The seventeenth title in Natasha Wing’s bestselling series, The Night Before Hanukkah captures all the joy and love in one of the most wonderful times of the year!”
Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–5
My First Chanukah by Tomie dePaola (September 2008)
From Goodreads: “Describes the traditional celebration of Chanukah, including the lighting of candles on the menorah, the eating of latkes, and the spinning of the dreidel. On board pages.”
Pages: 14
Reading Age: 3–5
Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf by Greg Wolfe, illustrated by Howard McWilliam (September 2016)
From Goodreads: “Shmelf is one of Santa’s most important elves. He’s part of the List Checking department, and he makes sure all the good boys and girls get their presents! But when Shmelf finds out that some children are missing from Santa’s list, he goes to investigate.
What Shmelf uncovers is Hanukkah, a wondrous and joyful holiday that Jewish families celebrate each year. As Shmelf observes a family lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and hearing the Hanukkah story, he sees how special the traditions of the holiday truly are-and he wants to be a part of it! Luckily, Santa just might have a special role in mind for Shmelf.…
The rich traditions of Hanukkah come to life in this whimsical and magical story that’s perfect for the holiday season.”
Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–6
Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Matthew Trueman (September 2014)
From Goodreads: “Before Simon sails to America, he promises his family that he will get a job and send for them. Simon’s mother knows he will need a miracle, so she reminds him to celebrate Hanukkah wherever he may be. Little does either of them know that Simon will spend the first night of Hanukkah on an ice floe after his ship sinks.The lone survivor out in the wide ocean, Simon lights the first candle, and it attracts a visitor: a polar bear. Does she eat him? No! She shares his latkes, enjoys his songs, goes fishing for him, and even keeps him warm at night. By the last day of Hanukkah, Simon has nearly given up hope of ever being rescued. But then he recounts all of the miracles that have befallen him so far. Perhaps it is not too much to hope for one more, he thinks, as he lights all of the candles in the menorah. The bright glow signals a passing ship, and Simon makes it to New York after all. This fanciful Hanukkah tale-like none you’ve ever read before-celebrates eight miracles: family, friendship, hope, selflessness, sharing, faith, courage, and love. A retelling of the ancient Hanukkah story is included on the last page.”
Pages: 40
Reading Age: 3–5
Yitzi and the Giant Menorah by Richard Ungar (September 2016)
From Goodreads: “On the eve of Hanukkah, the People of Chelm have received a special gift from the Mayor of Lublin. A giant menorah in which they place in the square for all the admire. Every night, the villagers meet to watch the lighting of a candle on the menorah. And every night, the villagers ponder What is the most fitting way to thank the Mayor of Lublin?
The villagers come up with idea after idea, but their gift never quite reaches the Mayor. What will they do? Finally, on the last night of Hanukkah, Yitzi has an idea to orchestrate the surprise thank you gift.”
Pages: 32
Reading Age: 5–9