Shan's list of "Great Hanukkah Books" for the Very Young

Every year holidays come with a flurry of people in search of books about that holiday. Christmas books are plentiful, but some of the other holidays don’t have as large a supply or a range to choose from.

Here's a list of special holiday books for young ones.


for Babies, Toddlers and Pre-K
At this level of books, we’re keeping it simple and basic.


by Susan L. Roth

Description: This book takes one of the traditional songs of Hanukkah and illustrates it with cute mice characters in lively pictures. This works great as a read aloud for individuals or as a group for anyone who wants to introduce the holiday.

  • Paperback: 24 pages
  • Publisher: Puffin
  • ISBN-10: 0142407011
  • Look Inside available - USA
  • amazon USA | UK




Oh, Chanukah
by L. J. Goodman (board book), illustrations by Liz Conrad

Description: A simple boardbook that introduces some of the basic concepts and symbols of Hanukkah for the very young.

  • Board book: 12 pages
  • Publisher: Price Stern Sloan
  • ISBN-10: 0843105089
  • Look Inside available - USA
  • amazon USA | UK





Light the Candles: A Hanukah Lift-the-Flap Book
by Joan Holub, illustrated by Lynne Avril Cravath

Description: This interactive book is best read one on one so that the child can lift the flaps and reveal the different items in the story.

  • Paperback: 16 pages
  • Publisher: Puffin; illustrated edition edition
  • ISBN-10: 0140567577
  • Look Inside available - USA
  • amazon USA | UK




D is for Dreidel
by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrations by Dawn Apperley

Description: An alphabet book that will also introduce children to different concepts and symbols surrounding the holiday of Chanukah. Probably not the best book for a read aloud, but a useful and educational book for one on one.

  • Paperback: 24 pages
  • Publisher: Price Stern Sloan
  • ISBN-10: 0843145765
  • Look Inside available - USA
  • amazon USA | UK


Description: This Lift-the-Flap Book (board book) creates these sweet little lift-the-flap-books for all different topics and occasions. This one is extremely basic, best for the very young child. While not the most original book, it is bright and appealing and does introduce different symbols of Chanukah.

  • Board book: 14 pages
  • Publisher: Little Simon
  • ISBN-10: 1416936238
  • amazon USA | UK




My First Menorah
by Salina Yoon

Description: There are a number of “my first” books dealing with Hannukah, but this sturdy book can act like a menorah in and of itself, providing great visuals on lighting the candles. Nicely put together book!

  • Board book: 20 pages
  • Publisher: Little Simon
  • ISBN-10: 0689877463
  • amazon USA | UK




Chanukah Lights Everywhere
by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Melissa Iwai

Description: This picture book depicts all the different images and customs of Chanukah as a family prepares to celebrate the holiday. A good book for a preschool audience.

  • Paperback: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Sandpiper
  • ISBN-10: 0152056750
  • Look Inside available
  • amazon USA | UK


Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad



This list is by Shan, our new mom, and resident librarian.


Related posts:

You might also want to take a listen to these fun CDs of Hanukkah music for kids: