A Great Big List of Children’s Books About Hanukkah

Do you love celebrating Hanukkah? Are you ready to share your Hanukkah traditions with your friends and family? You'll find books perfect for any age group - from babies to big kids - in the list below. 

Related: The Hanukkah Story for Kids

If you’re a family raising Jewish children and you want to expand your library, be sure to sign up for PJ Library. Families with children ages 9 to 11 can also sign up for PJ Our Way.

Browse all PJ Library Hanukkah Selections

Board Books for Babies

Dreidel Day

Dreidel Day 
by Amalia Hoffman

Recommended for ages 6 Months to 2 Years

During Hanukkah, every day is a dreidel day! Little ones will love counting along with the kitty in this book as the holiday progresses from 1 to 8. 


Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel!

Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel! 
by Shahar Kober

Recommended for ages 6 Months to 2 Years

Hanukkah’s almost here. You know what that means! Everybody join in: Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel!


Hanukkah Delight!

Hanukkah Delight! by Lesléa Newman

Recommended for ages 6 Months to 2 Years

Gather round to light the menorah, spin the dreidel, eat latkes, and sing songs! Hanukkah rituals are always delightful -- especially when bunnies are involved.


Hanukkah is Coming!

Hanukkah is Coming! 
by Tracy Newman

Recommended for ages 6 Months to 2 Years

Latkes are frying, the menorah is shining -- what holiday is this family getting ready for? By the story’s end, your child will be reciting it with you.


Hanukkah: A Counting Book

Hanukkah: A Counting Book 
by Emily Sper

Recommended for ages 6 Months to 2 Years

Count the number of candles lighted each night of Hanukkah in English, Hebrew and Yiddish! 


It's Hanukkah!

 It's Hanukkah! 
by Santiago Cohen

Recommended for ages 6 Months to 2 Years

Based on a Hebrew children's song, this book is a celebration of ritual and family. Hanukkah unfolds, one night at a time, until the eighth and last night, when all the candles shine brightly. 

Books for Toddlers

Antlers With Candles

Antlers With Candles 
by Chris Barash

Recommended for ages 3 to 4

Even if children are too young to understand the history and details of Hanukkah, they are never too young to share in the joy of family, special foods, symbols, and singing. Everything looks new when seen from a child’s perspective, including menorahs, dreidels, and latkes. And family togetherness is something everyone understands.


Chanukah Lights Everywhere

Chanukah Lights Everywhere 
by Michael J. Rosen

Recommended for ages 2 to 4

A little boy counts the Chanukah lights and, at the same time, considers all the light in the world around him.


Biscuit's Hanukkah

Biscuit's Hanukkah 
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Recommended for ages 2 to 3

Hanukkah is all about sharing fun, food, and festivity with family and friends -- even your furry ones. Right, Biscuit?


Hanukkah Haiku

Hanukkah Haiku
by Harriet Ziefert

Recommended for ages 2 to 3

The traditional Japanese poetic form, coupled with stepped illustrations, make a lovely way to celebrate the Festival of Lights.


How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah?

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah?
by Jane Yolen

Recommended for ages 2 to 3

From the warm glow of holiday candles to the fun of family gatherings, dinosaurs love to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Sometimes the excitement of Chanukah can lead to some unexpected dinosaur behaviors!


Honeyky Hanukah

Honeyky Hanukah
by Woodie Guthrie

Recommended for ages 2 to 4

Woody Guthrie’s music had many influences -- including his mother-in-law, Aliza Greenblatt, who inspired the rollicking, toe-tapping lyrics of this book.


Books for Kindergarteners

All-of-a Kind Family Hanukkah

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah 
by Emily Jenkins 

Recommended for ages 5 to 6

Remember the characters from the classic All-of-a-Kind series? They're back in this sweet picture book. Rejoin Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and especially Gertie as this loving Lower East Side family prepares for a Hanukkah feast.


 
Hanukkah Bear

Hanukkah Bear 
by Eric Kimmel

Recommended for ages 5 to 6

Bubba Brayna has invited the rabbi to join her in a lovely Hanukkah dinner! But Bubba Brayna is very old, and she doesn't see very well. When a guest arrives at her door, she thinks it's the rabbi...but it's not. And this guest is hungry!

Related:Three Questions With Eric Kimmel


A Hanukkah with Mazel

A Hanukkah With Mazel
by Joel Stein

Recommended for ages 5 to 6

Poor Misha! He spends Hanukkah all by his lonesome. That is until Mazel, a hungry barn cat, strolls into his life. Misha may not have enough money to light Hanukkah candles, but with a little luck -- or Mazel! -- he can use his art to bring some light to the holiday.


Sadie's Almost Marvelous Menorah

Sadie's Almost Marvelous Menorah
by Jamie Korngold

Recommended for ages 4 to 6

Sadie is so proud of the menorah she made -- she can’t wait to show it to her mother! But, uh-oh -- in her haste, something terrible happens. How will Sadie be able to enjoy Hanukkah now?

Related:Three Questions With Rabbi Jamie Korngold


Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas

Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas 
by Pamela Ehrenberg

Recommended for ages 5 to 6

Sadie’s family has both Jewish and Indian background, so at Hanukkah they eat dosas, traditional Indian pancakes. But they get locked out just before their Hanukkah party! Who will save the day?

Books for Ages 6 and Up

Hanukkah Cookies With Sprinkles

Hanukkah Cookies With Sprinkles 
by David A. Adler

Recommended for ages 6 to 7

Sara and her family are getting ready for Hanukkah -- which means delicious foods, including cookies! But then she notices one man who doesn’t seem to eat much at all, let alone Hanukkah treats. Sara decides to try and help. 


Jeremy's Dreidel

Jeremy's Dreidel 
by Ellie Gelman

Recommended for ages 7 to 8

At a dreidel-making workshop, Jeremy’s friends think he’s molding a secret code on his clay dreidel. But he’s really making a special gift for his father, who is blind. How will he get his friends to appreciate his special dreidel?


Little Red Ruthie

Little Red Ruthie 
by Gloria Koster

Recommended for ages 6 to 7

Ruthie is walking through the woods to spend Hanukkah at Grandmother’s house, carrying sour cream and applesauce. When a hungry wolf crosses her path, Ruthie has to think quickly! 


Meet the Latkes

Meet the Latkes 
by Alan Silberberg

Recommended for ages 7 to 8

Grandpa Latke is telling the rest of the Latke family the story of Hanukkah -- but he seems to be a little confused about some the details. Is it Mega Bees or Maccabees? Can someone please set Grandpa straight? 


The Parakeet Named Dreidel

The Parakeet Named Dreidel 
by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Recommended for ages 7 to 8

A parakeet shows up at David’s family’s window one snowy Hanukkah night. When they can’t track down his owners, they happily adopt him as their own pet. But many years later David meets the bird’s original owner, Zelda. How can they both keep theparakeet?


Potatoes at Turtle Rock

Potatoes at Turtle Rock 
by Anna Schnur-Fishman and Susan Schnur

Recommended for ages 6 and up

Annie’s family creates their own family traditions around Jewish holidays -- and they often take place at Turtle Rock. On the first night of Hanukkah, Annie takes the lead -- and makes sure potatoes play a starring role.


Chapter Books

Dreidels On The Brain 
by Joel Ben Izzy

Recommended for ages 10 and up

This Chanukah, Joel is anticipating the usual letdowns: boring presents, an annoying school holiday concert, and greasy latkes. But when the dreidel lands on a letter he never expected, he finds himself hoping for another Chanukah miracle.


Like a Maccabee

Like a Maccabee 
by Barbara Bietz

Recommended for ages 8 and up

Only one thing stands between victory for Ben and his soccer team: a school bully who torments Ben. Feeling misunderstood by those who love him most, Ben finds an unexpected friend in his grandfather.

Related:Three Questions With Barbara Bietz


Scout's Honor and the Cave of Courage 
by Anna Levine

Recommended for ages 9 and up

Josh isn’t as brave as his twin brother Nate,but when danger strikes on a Scouts trip in Israel, it’s up to Josh to rescue his friends. Can he find the courage to save the day?

Sephardic Books

Hanukkah Moon

Hanukkah Moon
by Deborah DaCosta

Recommended for ages 7 to 8

Isobel’s Aunt Luisa is from Mexico, and at her house, dreidels are filled with candy, and they welcome the “luna nueva,” the new moon that always arrives during “Januca.” Isobel will never forget this Hanukkah!


Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue

Emanuel & the Hanukkah Rescue
by Heidi Smith Hyde

Recommended for ages 8 and up

Why won’t Emanuel’s father light the Hanukkah menorah? Frustrated, Emanuel stows away on a whaling ship! But when a storm hits, the only thing that might save him is a light from home -- and not just any light.


The Boy From Seville

The Boy from Seville
by Dorit Orgad

Recommended for ages 8 and up

Manuel’s life changes forever when he finds out that he’s really Jewish. It is 17th century Spain and danger lurks everywhere, even in his own home. Can Manuel stay safe and protect the people he loves?


Find more Sephardic stories

Folk Tales

Hanukkah Fairy Tale Feasts

Hanukkah Fairy Tale Feasts
by Jane Yolen

Recommended for ages 8 and up

Get hungry for Hanukkah -- these traditional folktales go hand-in-hand with delicious recipes that you’ll enjoy preparing for your own holiday festivities. 


Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
by Eric Kimmel

Recommended for ages 8 and up

Hershel finds a way to outwit the goblins that haunt the village synagogue and are keeping the villagers from celebrating Hanukkah.


In the Month of Kislev

In the Month of Kislev 
by Nina Jaffe

Recommended for ages 6 to 7

https://pjlibrary.org/books/in-the-month-of-kislev/if00139


Yitzi and the Giant Menorah

Yitzi and the Giant Menorah
by Richard Ungar

Recommended for ages 7 to 8

The mayor of Lublin has given the people of Chelm a beautiful gift -- a giant menorah to light up the nights of Hanukkah. How can they ever thank him? Yitzi comes up with an idea! Learn more about how this book was made.

Interfaith Books

Related:Holiday Tips for Interfaith Families

Nonna’s Hanukkah Surprise

Nonna’s Hanukkah Surprise
by Karen Fisman

Recommended for ages 4 to 5

Rachel’s Italian grandma, Nonna, doesn’t celebrate Hanukkah, so Rachel plans to bring Hanukkah to her house. But when her plans go awry, Nonna makes it all okay.


The Only One Club

The Only One Club
by Jane Naliboff

Recommended for ages 4 to 5

As the only Jewish child in her class, a young girl not only learns that each person is unique but is able to share this understanding with her classmates.


The Trees of the Dancing Goats

The Trees of the Dancing Goats
by Patricia Polacco

Recommended for ages 7 to 8

During a scarlet fever epidemic in Michigan, the members of a Jewish family help make Christmas special for their very sick neighbors.

Related:Hanukkah Books for Interfaith Families

Browse all PJ Library Hanukkah Selections

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