Our Last Hanukkah Book Review!

Now that Hanukkah has come to a close we have one final book review. It is One Candle by Eve Bunting. We've mostly reviewed childish and light-hearted Hanukkah books. This story is a poignant and memorable tale of a young girl's Hanukkah tradition. The girl tells the story of her grandmother and her strange Hanukkah ritual. Every year her grandmother and her great aunt hollow out and light a potato to remember their survival of the Holocaust and those that perished in the concentration camps. They tell about how they risked their lives so they could celebrate Hanukkah. This is a deeply moving story that is well-suited for older children. It is sure to make them thankful and thoughtful during this special time of year.

Chanukah Book Review #7

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser
Rachel loves her mother’s latkes! So does everyone else apparently, because lots of unexpected guests are coming over tonight! But there isn’t enough potatoes or eggs or chairs! What are they going to do? Rachel suggests they ask their neighbor Mrs. Greenberg, who is always offering to help, but stubbornly refuses to come over and bother them. Luckily, Rachel is also stubborn and is determined that Mrs. Greenberg is not going to spend Hanukkah alone.

This sweet story also includes a recipe for potato latkes. They sound yummy!!
Potato Latkes
(For 5 or 6 people)
Ingredients:
6 healthy-sized potatoes
1 egg
1 small onion
3 tablesppon matzo meal, or bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
Oil – enough to almost cover latkes in frying pan

Scrub potatoes. Grate the potatoes and onion. Pour off extra liquid. Add egg, matzo meal and salt. Mix.
Drop potato mixture into hot oil with a tablespoon. Fry both sides until golden brown. Drain on a clean towel.
Serve hot with sour cream or applesauce.
Eat them in good health!

Chanukah Book Review #6

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel


On the first night of Hanukkah, Hershel enters a small village, expecting to see the village lit up with the lights of Hanukkah. Instead, he finds the village dark and cold. He discovers that the villagers live in fear of the nasty goblins who haunt the synagogue. Hershel promises to rid the village of these goblins, but will he be able to? And what happens when Hershel has to face the King of the Goblins? Written by Eric Kimmel and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is a classic among Hanukkak picture books.

Chanukah Book Reviews 4 & 5

Chanukah Lights Everywhere by Michael J. Rosen

Join a young boy as he counts the lights around him and relates them to every night of Chanukah. Written by Michael J. Rosen and illustrated by Melissa Iwai, this sweet and simple story is great to teach young children about Chanukah.

Moishe’s Miracle by Laura Krauss Melmed

Moishe the Milkman has always been a kind hearted man, giving to his neighbors when he had nothing for himself. But one night, Moishe is gifted with a magical frying pan that produces an endless and delicious supply of latkes.

Check out this video of Bob Saget telling the story of Moishe and this magical frying pan!

Chanukah Book Review #3

The Runaway Latkes by Leslie Kimmelman

Rebecca made the crispiest, tastiest, most perfect latkes. As she was frying up this traditional Hanukkah dish, three of her oh-so-perfect latkes tumbled out of the town crying, "Big and round, crisp and brown, now we're off to see the town! And YOU can't catch us!" As the latkes rolled by they got the whole town chasing after them so they could prepare them for the evening's Hanukkah festivities. This is a great lighthearted holiday read for younger kids. It even has a recipe for latkes at the back of the book!

Chanukah Book Review #2

Our Eight Nights of Hanukkah by Michael J. Rosen

This is a great picture book that teaches kids about the history and importance of Hanukkah. A young child tells readers how he and his family celebrate each night of this special holiday. The illustration by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan is warm and inviting to the eye, it does a great job of conveying the joy and fun of the season. It is sure to be a book that illuminates and delights both Jewish and non-Jewish children.

Chanukah Book Review

In order to commemorate Hanukkah we're going to post a review of Hanukkah books for every night of the holiday!


Night #1: Beni's First Chanukah by Jane Breskin Zalben

It’s Beni’s first memorable Chanukah and his entire bear family is busy preparing Latkes and pancakes while snow falls outside their warm and festive home. Once the baking is done the family decorates a tree with berries and twigs and later the lighting of candles is done amongst a prayer. The story closes with gifts of chocolate gold coins and gift giving while Grandpa tells the story of the magical eight nights of Chanukah. To Beni “This was my best Chanukah ever.” This a great Chanukah book for early readers because of its simplicity and its depiction of a very enchanting first evening of Chanukah.

~Miss Candice