Description

Share in the celebration of Chanukah

The setting is frosty, with a light dusting of snow covering leaves, the ground, and various dwellings. Amid this wintry scene, a family ignites the initial Chanukah candle in one window. Throughout the book, spanning eight nights and counting down, we encounter various Jewish families who light their candles. We enter their living rooms and kitchens, listening in on conversations as they carry out the cherished customs and traditions of the Festival of Lights.

Questions for discussion:

• What is a celebration?
• Why does the Chanukah celebration last for eight nights?
• What is, or would be if you celebrated it, your favorite part of the Chanukah celebration?
• What kinds of family holidays does your family observe and what are some of the traditions of those holidays?
• Why are these family and community celebrations important?

Activities to try:

• Draw or make a collage or clay menorah.
• Play the dreidel game using either a handmade or purchased dreidel.
• Learn and sing a Chanukah song such as Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, or Happy Joyous Hanukkah.
• Plan a snack time of traditional Chanukah foods, either homemade or purchased, such as latkes (potato pancakes), rugelach (a filled pastry), Sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), challah (a yeast bread), or gelt (chocolate coins)

Details:

• 32pages
• Hardback
• Dimensions – 10 1/4 x 10 1/4

Age: 3 and up