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Eight Hanukkah Books for Students

The holiday season is right around the corner, and teachers will start to educate their students about all of the different holidays celebrated around the world come December. 

This year, Hanukkah falls between December 16 to December 24, and students who do not celebrate the holiday may be wondering why some of their classmates do, and they don't. Education World has gathered a list of eight books teachers can read to their elementary school students about Hanukkah during the holiday season. 

What is Hanukkah? 

First, teachers can introduce the idea behind Hanukkah through this website provided by PBS Kids. Through these five pages, students can read what Hanukkah is about and watch as Francine from Arthur celebrates the holiday with her family. Students can watch Francine play with a dreidel and light the menorah. 

These books highlight the meaning behind the Hanukkah and also looks at families who may celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. 

  1. Hanukkah! by Roni Schotter: In this book, Amazon says, readers can "say 'Happy Hanukkah!' with this joyful story of one family's holiday celebration, from spinning dreidels to cooking yummy latkes to lighting the menorah together." 
  2. Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah by Tilda Balsley: In Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah, Amazon says the book "is an illustrated child's story of the events that led to the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, told in jaunty verse."
  3. Light the Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas by Margaret Moorman: In this book, Amazon says: "Every December, Emma and her family celebrate two special holidays. First comes Hanukkah, with dreidel games and lighting the menorah. Then comes Christmas, with carols, bright lights on the tree, and presents for everyone!"
  4. My Two Holidays: A Hanukkah and Christmas Story by Danielle Novack: In this childrens book, "when Sam's classmates take turns talking about which holiday they celebrate, Sam becomes very nervous. Some people celebrate Christmas and some people celebrate Hanukkah. But Sam celebrates both! " Amazon says.
  5. Chanukah Lights Everywhere by Michael J. Rosen: In Chanukah Lights Everywhere, Amazon says: "One crescent moon glows in the sky. Two headlights shine through the window. . . . On each magical night of Chanukah, a young boy and his sister count more lights shining all around them! Join them as they discover what it means to celebrate Chanukah in a world filled with so many other lights."
  6. Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko: In this book, Amazon says: "Selina Alko's joyous celebration of blended families will make the perfect holiday gift for the many Americans who celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah."
  7. The Hanukkah Hop! by Erica Silverman: In The Hanukkah Hop!, Amazon says: "It's Hanukkah! It's a time to celebrate family and enjoy festive traditions. As Rachel and her parents prepare the house, grandparents, cousins, and friends travel from near and far to sing and tell stories. Together, they will light candles, play games, and eat scrumptuous holiday foods... and, of course, dance the Hanukkah Hop. The stamping, the hopping, and the bim-bim-bopping is sure to go on all night!"
  8. Runaway Dreidel! by Lesléa Newman: In Runaway Dreidel!, Amazon says: "When a dreidel that takes off through a boy’s living room, the boy—and readers—are taken on a runaway adventure through city streets and along country roads, where modern times and history blend together in magical ways."

Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor