Picture Book Review: Hanukkah

Here are a couple Hanukkah picture books:

Eva's moved and she's unsure. Luckily she has an imaginary Dragon friend. She meets the boy next door and talks to him about Hanukkah and Spark.

This is a cute story about the start of friendship, shared imagination, and Hanukkah. I love how everyone comes together. There is an author's note about Hanukkah.

This is a story in poems - each poem shares one night of Hanukkah.

This was a charming book that shared a lot of about the holiday but also a lot about everyday life. I love how they improvised as necessary. There's a thought for each of the eight nights that shares more about the traditions of Hanukkah. There's a letter from the author at the end of the book.

Hanukkah Picture Books

Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate

This is a magical book with dragons and unicorns but also about Hannukah.

I love how this book takes the reader through the eight nights of Hannukah. I love how this story begins and how it evolves. A wonderful story!  There is an author's note at the back with frequently asked questions about Hannukah. 

For Sophie and Max, things are different this year. The first night of Hanukkah falls on Christmas. So instead of celebrating the holidays separately, they blend the holidays.

This is a sweet story about blending holidays and families. I really enjoyed this story and seeing the traditions on both sides. The author's note has a history of the Dreidel, the rules of games, a recipe, and a history about the Jewish calendar.  

Middle Grade Review: Let It Glow

Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at a holiday pageant tryout session. 

Aviva wants to be a star, but Holly's more interested in working behind the scenes. Aviva wants to create a Hanukkah song, but she's not sure that she feels Jewish enough. While her family is Jewish, they don't celebrate. But her Bubbe insists that she is. Aviva asks her parents to celebrate Hanukkah this year. 

Holly lives with her grandfather (a famous author) and her mother. She's been waiting to go get the tree, but her mom's been busy working. Lately, her grandfather hasn't been feeling himself. Her mom is worried about him being by himself so much with her at work and Holly at school. Maybe it's time for him to move to a senior community.

Once the girls meet, it's like looking in a mirror. They're both adopted. After texting with each other for a week, they decide to switch places. Will their families notice a difference?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of the Parent Trap, so this was right up my alley. Plus, I adore holiday stories. I loved how the twins were so alike and yet so different. I loved the texts between the two of them and how they started to get to know each other. It was so cute! I loved how they both explored Christmas and Hanukkah. I loved Aviva's siblings. I enjoyed the close moments between the two families - and how the girls escaped them. One of my favorite middle grade reads this year! 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library

**Check out the awesome activity packet with a word search, recipes, and so much more! 

Picture Book Wednesday: Hanukkah Books

 

Just a few Hanukkah Books to share:

The pups are having a party - this is a counting book of everything they need at the party.

A nice introduction to the holiday with cozy illustrations

This is one of my favorite board book series - they have several holidays covered. 

This one is sweet and charming and rhyming. The illustrations are adorable. The cutouts are sweet and not bad for library books and little hands. A fantastic book to share. 

Owen is the official candle lighter for Hanukkah. Each night as he goes to bed, his grandmother tells a story about a different family member.

I loved hearing about Owen's family members. This story was sweet and funny and informative. 

Mendel's always messing up. No one is more surprised than he is when the rabbi gives him the most important job this year: driving the Mitzvah Mobile. And he does mess up, but he also learns something important. 

Not everyone saw his mistake as a mistake. Sometimes you have to look at something differently. 

Al Rosen would perform a Christmas Mitzvah - a good deal and work for people who wanted to spend Christmas Eve with their families.

He worked so many different jobs over a 30-year period. I love that he started doing this with his son, continued after his son moved away for school, and they both continued the tradition when his son moved back. A sweet family story about kindness. The ending is so sweet - I confess it made me tear up.