No comments about Passover (True Books).

2 comments about The Burning Light.

1. This book would be fun to read any time of the year...but especially in the weeks before Chanukah. It is funny and exciting but also serious in some parts. A boy and a girl travel back in time to the time of the Maccabees. They are spies for Judah Maccabee. The kids learn a lot about the true meaning of Chanukah. There are battles and soldiers on elephants, friends and enemies, poisoness snakes and slave traders, suprises and miracles, angels and secret hiding places. The whole story of Chanukah is told in an exciting way. Our mom liked it because God is mentioned often...Judah prays and the kids talk about Torah and God and why it was so important to get back the Temple. Our Mom read two chapters every day to us ... but the words were easy enough that I could have read it by myself ....



2. My only regret about this book is that I found it tucked away in a young reader's section--after this year's Chanukah celebrations had ended.
   
   It's a lovely story for mid-level young readers who love adventure and enjoy learning Jewish stories.
   
   This one is the classic story of Judah Maccabees's victory, against all odds, in the ancient battle for Jerusalem and the First Temple, against the Greek conquerors lead by Antiochus.
   
   What makes this rendition so special is the way in which two modern Israeli children, living within 12 miles of Modi'in, are transported back through the centuries, and find themselves participating in the battle with Judah Maccabee, saving lives, defending their faith, and learning first hand the importance of fighting for religious freedom, and their people's survival.
   
   I bought the book for a mid-level reader, of course, but found myself tearing through the story one night. It's pure magic, and brings to life the glow of Chanukah's miracles and the story of the Festival of Lights.
   
   --Alyssa A. Lappen

No comments about The Happy Dreidles.

1 comments about Our Eight Nights of Hanukkah.

1. I have searched high and low for a wonderful Hanukkah story and have always felt something was missing from each one of them...they never seemed to quite hit on what I, as a Jew in Texas, feel at Hanukkah. I am sure many Jewish parents like myself have been waiting for this book....it touches all the bases: the history of Hanukkah, the foods, the presents, but also the conflict with Christmas (which has been treated in a sensitive, positive and even uplifting way in this story). Through the description of one family's eight-day holiday, the book suggests ways to celebrate and treasure each day of this holiday that makes a Jew "proud of your religion." This book also explores tzedakah, sharing, and world community and acceptance. It is truly a celebration of Hanukkah, but even more, it is a celebration of being Jewish. I know my kids--and even myself--needed to hear this as we head into the Christmas season with all it's inherent conflicts and mixed emotions (especially in Texas!!)

1 comments about My Very Own Dreidel: A Pop-up Hanukkah Celebration.

1. Full disclosure - I'm the author! But since I didn't see a descriptor of the book I figured I'd put my two shekels in. So - it's a nice little story about a young boy who dreams of owning his first dreidel as well as all the things he'd do with it if he ever got one. It's written to the same tune as "I have a little dreidal" (except without the chorus). Anyhow, I hope you enjoy it as much as my kids have!
   
   Dani Kollin
   P.S. nice little pop up surprise at the end too!

1 comments about Inside-Out Grandma: A Hanukkah Story.

1. The book begins with a girl asking her grandmother why she is wearing her clothes inside out. The response is that it helps her remember to buy the oil to fry the potato latkes for Hanukkah. This starts a series of reminiscences where Grandma remembers many of the joys in her life. They are simple things, like how the granddaughter's hair is the same color as her deceased grandfather and the color of pennies in a jar. It is about family, and the memories that are generated. It ends with the girl's father arriving and telling his mother that her clothes are inside out. It is a wonderful story about connections between people.

No comments about Chanukah Lights (Night Glow Board Books).

2 comments about The Ugly Menorah.

1. Over the eight days of Hanukkah, there's ample time to sneak this book into your child's bedtime readings. It is lovely tale that teaches that beauty can be found in the most simple things. Reinforcing the idea of Hanukkah, that spiritual items, though they may look mundane, have greater power and beauty than a more Hellenistic idea of artistic beauty.



2. This gently written Hannukah story is a lesson in what is really beautiful. Rachel visits her grandmother and comments on an old, obviously hand made menorah made of odds and ends. She thinks it is ugly and tells her grandmother that.

   Rachel's grandmother, a wise and articulate woman tells Rachel that she just needs to understand the story behind that menorah. She described her life as a young wife during the Depression Years when money was hard to come by. She saw a beautiful, very ornate menorah in a shop window and wanted it. Unable to afford it, her husband went into his shop, and, using assorted scraps around the place built a makeshift menorah. That way, they could celebrate the ancient, wonderful traditions together with something he had made.

   Rachel is understandably moved by the menorah's history. She decides it is beautiful because it was made by love. When her mother comes to pick her up and comments on how ugly she thinks the menorah is, Rachel tells her it is NOT ugly, it is beautiful!

   Rachel was right. It really was beautiful, just like this story.

No comments about Hanukkah Crafts (Fun Holiday Crafts Kids Can Do).

1 comments about Las Matzas Secretas de Abuelita.

1. This is a story about a catholic family that is secretly jewish, but were prossecuted so they had to change their faith. It is a story that you will have to read and explain to your kids. It has many things that must be carefuly explained to children. I do not recommend this book to anyone under 7 years of age.
   It is a nice story with good drawings and a good opportunity to teach a little history.
   
   En Español:
   Esta historia es sobre una familia de Conversos. De Judíos perseguidos que se convirtieron, pero no del todo, al catolicismo. Vale la pena comprarlo solamente si desea explicarle la historia a sus hijos y recomiendo que se lea junto con los niños. Para mayores de 7 años.