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Hanukkah begins Tuesday, December 12. My husband is part Jewish and although we don’t make a big deal out of celebrating, I find reading picture books with kids helps build holiday excitement. My kids are a little old now for picture book reading (their opinion, not mine!). However, in the past we have read lots of Hanukkah books which I featured in this round up. Even if you aren’t Jewish, I think reading Hanukkah-themed books with kids helps them gain a better understanding of a different culture and holiday. Here are three new Hanukkah books for 2017.
Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale by Gloria Koster
Illustrated by: Sue Eastland
Published by: Albert Whitman Company, August 2017
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99
Source: borrowed from the library
Review: This is a cute Hanukkah take on the classic Little Red Riding Hood. Ruthie is a smart and brave little girl who even teaches the wolf about Hanukkah. A recipe for potato latkes is included in the back of the book. This was a cute Hanukkah story.
Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas by Pamela Ehrenberg
Illustrated by: Anjan Sarkar
Published by: Farrar Straus Giroux, October 2017
Pages: 40
Price: $16.99
Source: borrowed from the library
Review: This book is about an Indian-Jewish family who is celebrating Hanukkah by making dosas. The main character gets annoyed at his little sister because she climbs too much. Luckily though, little Sadie’s climbing comes in handy. At the back of the book is a recipe for dosas and sambar. I enjoyed the multi-cultural aspect of this book very much. However, I found the plot to be a bit forced.
Way Too Many Latkes by Linda Glaser
Illustrated by: Aleksander Zolotic
Published by: Kar-ben Publishing, August 2017
Pages: 32
Price: $17.99
Source: borrowed from the library
Review: Faigel makes the best latkes in all of Chelm. But this year she has forgotten the recipe. With her husband, Shmuel’s help,and using the rabbi’s advice, Faigel ends up making way too many latkes. Luckily, the problem is easily solved. Chelm is a fictional Jewish town and part of Jewish folklore. There is more information about Chlem stories at the end of the book. This was an okay Hanukkah read.
