Eight Books for Eight Nights

By KATHY BLOOMFIELD

Hanukah starts in early December this year (we light the first candle at sundown on Tuesday, December 4, 2007). As usual, you'll find a nice selection of new Hanukah volumes in the bookstores. But this year, I encourage you to search for some classic books that have remained true to the Hanukah spirit, even if they have not remained easy to find. I assure you they're still obtainable at your nearest bookseller, online, or at your local or synagogue library.

Here is my list of favorite books for the eight nights of Hanukkah:

HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS
By Eric Kimmel
Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
30 pages. Holiday House. $6.95.
Ages 5-8.

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is hands down my favorite, number-one Hanukah book. It is the story of Hershel of Ostropol, a famous character in Jewish folklore, who arrives at a poor village one cold evening. It happens to be the first night of Hanukah and Hershel is hoping for hospitality, warmth, and food. Instead, he finds fear, cold, and hunger. The villagers inform Hershel that goblins have taken over and will not allow any celebrations, especially not Hanukah celebrations. How Hershel proceeds to outwit the goblins and reclaim Hanukah is the delightful and whimsical center of this story.

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is a Caldecott Honor book, so the illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman are magnificently drawn. Eric Kimmel is one of the best storytellers in the children’s book world, so the narrative is of course eloquent. Yes, there are demons and goblins–even Hershel is scared witless. The kids will love it, and you will too. This is a wonderful book for family reading time, while the candles burn.

JUDAH WHO ALWAYS SAID, "NO!"
By Harriet K. Feder
Illustrated by Katherina Janus Kahn
32 pages. Kar-Ben Copies, Inc. Prices Vary.
Ages 2-6

If you have a Terrible Two who thinks “No” is the word of the day, then Judah Who Always Said “NO!” is the perfect book for your Hanukah collection. It's a story for the very young, told in simple language with bright, bold illustrations and “NO!” in large, bold letters throughout. Youngsters will laugh out loud as Judah constantly says “NO!” to every problem or question presented to him until finally something happens to which he can finally say, “Yes!”

THE BORROWED HANUKKAH LATKES
By Linda Glaser
Illustrated by Nancy Cote
32 pages. Albert Whitman & Company. $6.95.
Ages 4-8.

In this delightfully told and charmingly illustrated tale, Rachel and her mother are getting ready for their guests on the last night of the Festival of Lights, only to discover they have run out of potatoes and eggs to make latkes! Rachel suggests they borrow from their next-door neighbor, Mrs. Greenberg.

Thus begins a series of encounters between Rachel and Mrs. G. The girl borrows something necessary for the party and invites Mrs. Greenberg to join her. Mrs. Greenberg provides the needed item but refuses to attend. Finally, Rachel figures out a clever-yet-kind-hearted scheme: If Mrs. Greenberg won’t come to the party, Rachel will bring the party to her!

This book might precede a discussion about inviting people who are alone to join us for our holiday celebrations. It might prompt your family to work at a soup kitchen one evening during Hanukah or give tzedakah to a food bank or homeless shelter. Use this book to think about ways that your family can help spread light in the community during this season of the year.

LATKES, LATKES, GOOD TO EAT
A Chanukah Story
Written and Illustrated by Naomi Howland
32 pages. Clarion Books. $5.95.
Ages 4-8.

A kindhearted sister, four mischievous brothers, a magic pan, and a magic spell… what could possibly go wrong? Nothing until Sadie, the kindhearted sister, leaves the four mischievous brothers alone in the house…

On the first night of Hanukah, Sadie’s generosity earns her the gift of a magic pan that fries up latkes when she says: “Latkes, latkes, good to eat./Cook me up a Chanukah treat!” It stops when she says, “A great miracle happened here!” For the next seven nights, she amazes her brothers by cooking as many of the most delicious latkes they can eat in her magic pan. On the eighth night of Hanukah, Sadie leaves them alone with the warning not to touch the pan. They don't listen. They overheard the magic phrase to start the latke-making process, but failed to listen carefully enough to stop it. Of course, latkes takeover the house until Sadie returns home to save her brothers. Everyone in the village joins in to celebrate the last night of Hanukah with a huge latke feast.

The illustrations for this warm and appealing story depict a quaint Russian village in the cold of winter. The depictions of the troublemaking brothers are counterbalanced by illustrations of Sadie’s kindness. The language of the text is rich in the sounds and smells of latkes cooking “sizzling… sputtering… frying” on the stove. Fry up some latkes for yourself and enjoy!

IN THE MONTH OF KISLEV
A Story for Hanukkah
By Nina Jaffe
Illustated by Louise August
32 pages. Viking Press. Prices Vary.
Ages 3-8.

Mendel the peddler and his family were so poor they did not have enough money for even one potato to make latkes for Hanukah. Nevertheless, when his three daughters walk under the window of a kitchen and smell the aroma of latkes, they were so happy “it was as if they had eaten a whole plateful!” They continued visiting the smells of that kitchen for the first seven nights of Hanukah.

Unfortunately, that kitchen belonged to a merchant named Feivel who was very rich, but also very stingy. He never gave tzedakah even when asked. On the eighth night, Feivel caught Mendel’s daughters smelling the latkes outside the kitchen window. Furious, he accused them of stealing his latkes and took the girls and their parents to the rabbi demanding they pay a fine for the smell of the latkes.

The solution the rabbi comes up with is clever and brilliant. One designed to (almost) satisfy everyone involved. It certainly changes the lives of those involved.

Louise August’s distinctive woodcuts with their bold colors practically jump off the pages. The text is understandable for even the youngest child with a joyful, heart-warming ending.

INSIDE-OUT GRANDMA
A Hanukah Story
Written and Illustrated by Joan Rothenberg
32 pages. Hyperion Books. Prices Vary.
Ages 4-8.

Rosie’s grandmother wears her clothes on inside-out to remind her to buy enough oil to fry the potato latkes for Hanukah. The explanation of how having her clothes on inside out helps her remember the oil is the basis of this book.

The loving relationship between a grandmother and a granddaughter, the sharing of family stories and memories, and the gathering of families at holiday times are all reflected in this enchanting book. The illustrations are charming and embrace you as if you were looking at a family album.

Reading Inside-Out Grandma may prompt you to share some family stories of your own about childhood memories or gatherings with friends or family during seasons past. Maybe you can also discuss the ways you remember important tasks during busy times of the year.

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A CHANUKAH BUSH, SANDY GOLDSTEIN
By Susan Sussman
48 pages. Albert Whitman & Company. $3.50.
Ages 9-12.

This book is nearing its 25^th anniversary in print and yet its message is as relevant today as it was on its publication date. Jewish children are in the minority at Christmas time. No amount of diversity education will change that fact.

When Jewish children visit the shopping malls, watch TV, or play with Christian friends during the winter holiday season, they are bombarded with the trappings of Christmas. Oftentimes, Jewish children deeply desire to join the majority. They ask questions like, "Why can't… (a) We have a Christmas tree? (b) Santa visit our house? (c) We put up red and green lights and reindeer on the front lawn?" It can become a test of parental patience and religious fortitude.

In There’s No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein, Robin, who is Jewish, has these same questions for her parents because Sandy Goldstein, who is also Jewish, has a Christmas tree in her house. Robin’s grandfather comes to the rescue when he invites her to attend his company’s Christmas party. Robin goes along and discovers that there is a difference between sharing each other’s holiday celebrations and celebrating each other’s holidays.

There’s No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein is an easy-to-read book that provides an understandable answer for children as to why Jews do not celebrate Christmas. A perfect book for that questioning age to read together or alone.

A HANUKKAH TREASURY
By Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by Emily Lisker
122 pages. Henry Holt. Prices Vary.
All Ages.

My last recommendation is an incredible resource with something for everyone. A Hanukkah Treasury is a perfect book for the entire family containing stories from some of my favorite authors; traditional Hanukah blessings; traditional and new Hanukah songs; recipes for applesauce, latkes and other Hanukah goodies; fun make-it-yourself crafts and more. Sections about the holiday, menorahs, traditional foods, and dreidels organize all of this material in a handy manner.

Award-winning author Eric Kimmel will enrich and enlighten every night of your Hanukah celebration with this superb collection. While the unique and colorful illustrations of Emily Lisker enhance every story, song and recipe to make this a book to treasure for a lifetime.