9 Books That Celebrate Hanukkah

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!

Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village, and on the first night of Hanukkah, the scent of her cooking wakes a hungry, adorable bear from his hibernation. Bubba Brayna mistakenly welcomes him into her home, so when he eats all of the latkes her friends are left to figure out who really ate them.

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. But can one man alone save Hanukkah and live to tell the tale?

It is the eighth night of Hanukkah, and George and his friends have gathered for a celebration. Follow along as 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 their very own dreidel.

It’s a chilly winter in the northern woods but Ruthie doesn’t mind. Dressed in her favorite puffy red coat, she’s going to spend Hanukkah with her grandmother, who lives on the other side of the forest. Ruthie is bringing sour cream and applesauce to go with the yummy latkes. When Ruthie becomes lost in the thicket, she finds herself face to face with a wolf. Ruthie will have to convince the wolf that eating latkes will be tastier than eating her!

Hanukkah is a wonderful time filled with games, food, family and fun. It’s also a celebration of an ancient miracle, and retelling and remembering the story of that miracle is an essential part of the holiday. The story of the courageous Maccabees is retold in simple yet dramatic text, accompanied by vibrant paintings of the battle, the Temple of Jerusalem and the oil which miraculously burned for eight long days.

It’s Hanukkah on Sesame Street, and Grover invites his friends to a Hanukkah party at his house. This story offers a simple outline of the holiday’s origins, lighting the menorah, playing dreidel and eating traditional delicacies. Grover’s Eight Nights of Light also includes gentle messages about friendship, kindness and tolerance to highlight the Sesame Street mission of helping kids grow smarter, stronger and kinder.

Trisha loves the eight days of Hanukkah, when her mother stays home from work, her Babushka makes delicious potato latkes, and her Grandpa carves wonderful animals out of wood as gifts for Trisha and her brother. But when their neighbors become bedridden with scarlet fever, Grandpa manages to save the holiday! Based on a long cherished childhood memory, this story celebrates the miracle of true friendship.

Come along on a joyful romp filled with tumbling dreidels and melting gelt as America's favorite prehistoric pals spread a little mischief this season. Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs fidget, fuss and stomp through every occasion, while their human parents shift from shock to weary patience.