Jewish Culture

No celebration of Hanukkah would be complete without recountng the events of more than two thousand years ago that the holiday commemorates. In a simple yet dramatic text and vibrant paintings, the story of the courageous Maccabees and the miracle that took place in the Temple in Jerusalem is retold. For readers who want to continue the festivities, a recipe for latkes and directions for playing dreidel are included.

What's a dreidel? Elmo wants to know! He finds out as he celebrates the first night of Hanukkah with a friend's family. He watches Gil, Susie, and their parents light the menorah and joins in as they sing Hanukkah songs. After supper he learns to play dreidel, the traditional Hanukkah spin-the-top game. And, at the end of the evening, Elmo gets his first Hanukkah gift—his very own little dreidel! This sturdy board book introduces toddlers to the traditions of the Jewish Festival of Lights and even teaches them how to play dreidel themselves!

This festive parody reimagines a classic bedtime book as a lively Jewish family gathering complete with bubbies and zeydes—a perfect gift or read aloud that includes an exclusive latke recipe by Ina Garten, TV’s Barefoot Contessa! In the small blue room there was a bubbala, and a little shmatta, and then—oy vey!—came the whole mishpacha! This zesty parody of one of America's favorite picture books offers a very different bedtime routine: one that is full of family exuberance and love. Instead of whispers of “hush,” this bedtime includes dancing and kvelling, and of course, noshing—because this little bunny is a Jewish bunny, and this joyous book celebrates the Jewish values of cherishing your loved ones, expressing gratitude, and being generous. Filled with Yiddish words, the book includes a phonetic glossary and even an easy latke recipe by beloved cookbook author Ina Garten, who calls the book “brilliant, beautiful, important, and so much fun!”

A traveler rids a village synagogue of goblins by outwitting them. A Caldecott Honor Book.

It’s Hanukkah on Sesame Street, and Grover invites his friends to a Hanukkah party at his house. Girls and boys ages 2 to 5 will learn the why and how of celebrating Hanukkah along with Elmo, Telly, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert, Ernie, Zoe, and Murray. The story offers a simple outline of the holiday’s origins, lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating latkes and other traditional delicacies. This colorful paperback storybook offers stickers, press-out Hanukkah cards, and a poster with a Hanukkah party game. The story includes gentle messages about friendship, kindness, and tolerance to highlight the Sesame Street mission of helping kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder—because Sesame Street is the most trusted name in early learning.

It is the eighth night of Hanukkah, and George and his friends have gathered for a celebration. They light the menorah, spin the dreidel, make latkes, and learn the importance of mitzvah! In this tabbed board book, youngsters will even find a tasty latke recipe and instructions for constructing a dreidel, with rules for play. A festive foil-stamped cover makes this a fine holiday gift for fans of Curious George.

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.

Joseph's grandfather transforms his blanket many times over the years, but what can be done when the final item is lost? Gilman's version of this Yiddish folk tale won the 1993 Ruth Schwartz Award. When Joseph was a baby, his grandfather made him a wonderful blanket. But as Joseph grows older, the blanket becomes tattered and worn. Throw it out! cries Joseph's mother. Luckily, Grandpa is an extraordinary tailor. He can fix anything! And so with a snip! snip! here, and a few stitches there, Grandpa transforms the treasured blanket into a jacket, a vest, a Sabbath tie, a handkerchief, and finally a beautiful button. But when the button is lost, even Grandpa can't help. After all, how can you make something from nothing?In a rich and loving portrait of shtetl life, Phoebe Gilman presents a traditional Jewish folktale about family love and ingenuity that will warm the hearts of readers young and old.

This irresistible board book gives little ones (ages 0–3) an alphabetical introduction to Judaism—the delicious foods, meaningful rituals, lively holidays, expressive language, and more. Hip illustrations accompany snappy, rhyming text in a fun, fabulous package that is a must-have for any Jewish baby's nursery. This tiny tome covers quintessential foods such as bagels and brisket, rituals and holidays including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Shabbat, and Hanukkah, as well as important cultural references (F is for Fiddler on the Roof!) with a little Yiddish thrown in. Parents and grandparents will love sharing every concise, funny entry with the little ones in their lives.

Clifford and Emily Elizabeth are celebrating their first Hanukkah. They love hearing the story of Hanukkah, eating "latkes" (fried potato pancakes) and "sufganiyot" (fried jelly donuts), and playing dreidel. After dinner, Clifford and Emily Elizabeth take a trip into town to see the giant menorah. But when they get there, they discover that one light is broken. It's too late in the evening to call a handyman, but maybe Clifford is big enough to help save Hanukkah!

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!

In Celebrate Hanukkah Deborah Heiligman welcomes readers to a holiday celebrated by Jewish communities around the world. The vivid photography of National Geographic illustrates the joyous celebrations of Jewish people around the world—including Ghana, Uganda, India, Israel, Peru, the United States and Poland, as they light menorahs, spin dreidels, and make latkes. The richly informative back matter details many facts, such as the story of U.S. astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman, who brought a menorah and a dreidel on his Space Shuttle mission in 1993. Hoffman observed the traditional spinning of the dreidel, but wisely left the menorah unlit in the proximity of several thousand liters of rocket fuel! Also included are the author's sure-to-please latke recipe, Hanukkah blessings, and a Hanukkah song. A note from Rabbi Shira Stern, the book's consultant, sets the holiday in its global religious and cultural context.

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.

What happened in the house that Jack built? It all started with the cheese that lay in the house that Jack built. And then came the rat that ate the cheese and the cat who killed the rat. Caldecott Medal winning author and illustrator Simms Taback brings his distinctive humor and creativity to the beloved story of Jack and the house that he built.

Come along wit Biscuit as he makes a beautiful menorah to celebrate Hanukkah. It's a great time for stories, songs, food and friends! Ages 2 – 6

Sammy Spider watches longingly as Josh Shapiro lights another candle and receives another brightly colored dreidel each night of Hanukkah. Sammy's mother reminds him, "Spiders don't spin dreidels, spiders spin webs!" Then, on the last night, Sammy gets his own spinning surprise.

The ultimate Chanukah gift—a glorious celebration of the true spirit of the holiday from a pop-up master and an acclaimed poet. Open this beautiful gift book and follow the Festival of Lights through place and time—from Herod's temple to a shtetl in Russia; from a refugee ship bound for the New World to an Israeli kibbutz. Inspired by Michael J. Rosen's reverent poem, Robert Sabuda's striking pop-ups depict each night's menorah in a different scene, using such imagery as desert tents, olive trees, and a final panorama of skyscrapers. Sure to be a treasured family heirloom, this stunning collaboration showcases the spirit and resilience of a people in search of home.

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.

When Sammy Spider's web gets swept away during the Shapiro family's Passover cleaning, his mother decides spring is a perfect time to make a new web. As Sammy learns to spin, he gets involved in the Passover seder and plays an important role in the success of the holiday meal. “An adorable story with vibrant cut-out illustrations and a surprise ending. The whole family will enjoy this charming story. . . . ” ―Parent Council

In this sweet and humorous picture book, Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas, a multi-cultural family (Mom's Indian; Dad's Jewish) celebrate Hanukkah while incorporating traditional Indian food. Instead of latkes, this family celebrates Hanukkah with tasty Indian dosas. To her brother's chagrin, little Sadie won't stop climbing on everything both at home and at the Indian grocery store, even while preparing the dosas. As the family puts the finishing touches on their holiday preparations, they accidentally get locked out of the house. Sadie and her climbing skills just may be exactly what is needed to save the day.

Celebrate Hanukkah with the Llama family in this joyful, rhyming picture book Follow along with the Llama family’s Hanukkah traditions as they light their menorah, spin the dreidel, fry latkes, and more. Laura Gehl’s lively rhyming text and Lydia Nichols’s vibrant illustrations make for a festive read. The book also features kid-friendly back matter, with expanded information on the holiday’s history and traditions.

When Shaina finds a magnificent hen, she knows that Izzy Pippik, the hen’s owner, is sure to return for her. In the meantime, Shaina decides she will care for the animal. But when dozens of eggs hatch and rowdy chickens scatter throughout the village, Shaina must fight the entire town if she has any hope of protecting the birds. Inspired by Jewish and Islamic traditional texts, this is a beautiful tale about doing the right thing, even in the face of adversity.

Celebrate Chanukah and play the dreidel game! Spin the dreidel and see where it lands. Nun, gimel, hey, and shin -- who will win? Give it a spin!

Apples, apples, all year round, juicy, fresh, and yummy. Apples, apples, sweet new year, apples dipped in honey. This tasty tour through the Jewish holidays introduces young children to Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot. Colorful collage illustrations feature a variety of friendly woodland animals enjoying each holiday.

Join adorable latkes, dreidels, and more in this fun Hanukkah board book, with touch-and-feel on every spread! Sparkle. Twinkle. Glow. Glimmer. Flicker. Dazzle. Gleam. Shimmer. Blazing strong throughout the night. Shining bright, you're a de-LIGHT! Welcome the Hanukkah season with this punny board book full of dreidels, latkes, and more. Little ones won’t be able to resist the eye-catching, tactile, hands-on touch-and-feel on every page that is sure to keep them engaged and excited during storytime. New York Times bestselling author Joan Holub’s text is full of sweetness and begs to be read aloud, and shines alongside bright, cute-as-can-be illustrations from artist Allison Black. With the effervescent silliness of Sandra Boynton, adorable illustrations, and perfectly touchable touch-and-feel, this book is perfect for Hanukkah celebrations everywhere!

Meet joyful babies and toddlers in daily life and. Introduces very young children to havdalah and the the greeting Shavua Tov.