Why We Celebrate Hanukkah

From an imaginative team comes a new holiday myth for all families to enjoy, especially those celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah. Nate Gadol is a great big spirit with eyes as shiny as golden coins and a smile that is lantern bright. He can make anything last as long as it is needed, like a tiny bit of oil that must stretch for eight nights, a flower that needs to stay fresh to cheer up someone ailing, or a small lump of chocolate that grows to allow the Glasers to treat their children over the holiday and, during a harsh winter when medicine is needed more than sweets, spurs them to share what little they have with the O’Malleys. In this charming holiday hybrid story, well-known children’s author and editor Arthur A. Levine pairs with award-winning illustrator Kevin Hawkes to offer a mythical, magical take on the way Jewish families came to give and receive gifts over Hanukkah, just as their Christian neighbors do at Christmas, thanks to a loving spirit named Nate Gadol working behind the scenes—together with a certain jolly old soul.

Explores the ways American Jews have reshaped Hanukkah traditions across the country In New Orleans, Hanukkah means decorating your door with a menorah made of hominy grits. Latkes in Texas are seasoned with cilantro and cayenne pepper. Children in Cincinnati sing Hanukkah songs and eat oranges and ice cream. While each tradition springs from its own unique set of cultural references, what ties them together is that they all celebrate a holiday that is different in America than it is any place else. For the past two hundred years, American Jews have been transforming the ancient holiday of Hanukkah from a simple occasion into something grand. Each year, as they retell its story and enact its customs, they bring their ever-changing perspectives and desires to its celebration. Providing an attractive alternative to the Christian dominated December, rabbis and lay people alike have addressed contemporary hopes by fashioning an authentically Jewish festival that blossomed in their American world. The ways in which Hanukkah was reshaped by American Jews reveals the changing goals and values that emerged among different contingents each December as they confronted the reality of living as a religious minority in the United States. Bringing together clergy and laity, artists and businessmen, teachers, parents, and children, Hanukkah has been a dynamic force for both stability and change in American Jewish life. The holiday’s distinctive transformation from a minor festival to a major occasion that looms large in the American Jewish psyche is a marker of American Jewish life. Drawing on a varied archive of songs, plays, liturgy, sermons, and a range of illustrative material, as well as developing portraits of various communities, congregations, and rabbis, Hanukkah in America reveals how an almost forgotten festival became the most visible of American Jewish holidays.

Celebrate Hanukkah with Clifford and Emily Elizabeth! 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! Now in ebook!

Celebrate Hanukkah with this festive introduction for kids ages 6 to 9! Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is also called the Festival of Lights. For thousands of years, Jewish people have celebrated Hanukkah by lighting candles, chanting prayers, and playing games! Learn all about the history, traditions, food, and more with this book of facts and activities that encourage you to join in on the fun. So many ways to get festive—Discover how Hanukkah is celebrated by different people around the world with songs, gifts, and gatherings. Celebrate at home—Kids will explore Hanukkah customs with included activities like making your own stained-glass menorah decoration and learning how to play dreidel. Fascinating facts and pictures—Vibrant illustrations and kid-friendly language help bring Hanukkah to life. Discover Why We Celebrate Hanukkah! Have you ever wondered why we exchange gifts on Valentine's Day? Or why we wear green on St. Patrick's Day? Get the rest of the Why We Celebrate series and learn about holidays from around the world!

Celebrate Hanukkah with this delightful baby board book, teaching little ones all about the traditions of this Jewish holiday period. Bold, brightly colored pictures, and short and snappy text is the perfect way to discover Hanukkah together in this delightful book. Celebrate all the elements of this wonderful Jewish festival of lights with your little one, like the spin-the-top dreidel game, shiny chocolate coins, and fun family time with songs to sing and gifts to give and receive! This board book is perfect for children aged 2-4 years to develop early learning skills, with simple and vibrant pictures and sentences that promote language skills. The small, padded format of this book is perfect for little hands to hold, and babies and toddlers will enjoy turning the pages by themselves, helping with early reading development and fine motor skills. This charming board book features: - Bright images that are exciting for little ones to focus on - A small, sturdy, and padded design making it easy for babies to hold by themselves - A gentle introduction to Hanukkah, with clear text for little ones to understand - A simple and clear design that’s easy for little ones to follow along Learn all about the amazing Festival of Lights with your little one! From the miracle of the oil and lighting the menorah candles, to the delicious fried latkes and doughnut treats, this classic little picture book has simple language and engaging, real life photos that bring the warmth and celebrations of Hanukkah to life. Complete the series This delightful book is part of the Baby’s First Holidays range of board books for babies and toddlers from DK Books. This educational and exciting collection includes Baby's First Diwali and Baby's First Thanksgiving.

"Spin the dreidel and read along to this classic Hannukah song!"--Cover.

The classic Hanukkah tale, shared by families all around the world-- now available in a beautiful anniversary edition. A Caldecott Honor book. An original tale featuring a traditional Jewish folk hero, this clever story, which received a Sydney Taylor Honor, has been a family favorite for decades. On the first night of Hanukkah, a weary traveler named Hershel of Ostropol eagerly approaches a village, where plenty of latkes and merriment should warm him. But when he arrives not a single candle is lit. A band of frightful goblins has taken over the synagogue, and the villagers cannot celebrate at all! Hershel vows to help them. Using his wits, the clever trickster faces down one goblin after the next, night after night. But can one man alone save Hanukkah and live to tell the tale? Trina Schart Hyman’s leering goblins are equal parts terrifying and ridiculous as they match wits with Hershel, trying to keep him from lighting the menorah and celebrating Hanukkah. This beautiful 25th Anniversary Edition includes an insightful afterword from the author and publisher explaining the book's origins, and remembering Trina Schart Hyman, the illustrator who brought the tale to life. This classic picture book is a perfect Hanukkah gift and a wonderful read-aloud. For more tales of this clever folk hero, read The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol— another collaboration between master storyteller Eric A. Kimmel and Trina Schart Hyman. Caldecott Honor Book ALA Notable Children’s Book NCTE Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts A Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book Colorado Children’s Book Award Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award