In mid-November 2021 a member of the Jewish Grandparents Network Facebook Group asked this question in the group and got the MOST helpful responses.

My 7-year-old grandson wants to share a Hanukkah book with his public school class. The group is very diverse (think Palestinian, Hindi, Muslim, Christian) and he thinks he may be the only child who celebrates Jewish holidays. So, any suggestions for an age-appropriate Hanukkah book that is informative/engaging without being alienating? As a Jewish educator for 35 years, I’m stymied!

See the rich and varied Hanukkah book recommendations for young kids below.

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Hanukkah Book Recommendations

Sharing Hanukkah at School (PJLibrary) 

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel (Author) and Trina Schart Hyman (Illustrator) 

All about Hanukkah by Judyth Groner and Madeline Wikler (Authors) and Kinny Kreiswirth (Illustrators) 

Meet the Latkes by Alan Silberberg (Author) 

A Rugrats Chanukah by Kim Smith (Illustrator)

Latkes for Santa Claus by Janie Emaus (Author) and Bryan Langdo (Illustrator) 

Kayla and Kugel’s Happy Hanukkah by Ann D. Koffsky (Author, Illustrator)

Like a Maccabee by Raymond Zwerin and Audrey Friedman Marcus (Authors) and Giora Carmi (Illustrator) 

The Chanukkah Guest by Eric Kimmel (Author)  and Giora Carmi (Illustrator)

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen (Author) and Mark Teague (Illustrator) 

Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman (Author) and Loren Long (Illustrator)  

The Only One Club by Jane Naliboff (Author) and Jeff Hopkins (Illustrator) 

The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler (Author) and Jill Weber (Illustrator) 

Members of the Jewish Kidlit Mavens Facebook Group generously shared ideas too.

Harvest of Light by Allison Maile Ofanansky (Author)

Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky (Author) and Greg Harlin (Illustrator)

The Ninth Night of Hanukkah by Erica S. Perl (Author) and Shahar Kober (Illustrator)

Toby Belfer Never Had a Christmas Tree by Gloria Pushker (Author) and Judith Hierstein (Illustrator) 

Larry’s Latkes by Jenna Waldman (Author) and Ben Whitehouse (Illustrator) 

Caleb’s Hanukkah by Lisa Bullard (Author) and Constanza Basaluzzo (Illustrator)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]