First Festivals: Hanukkah

This small, sturdy board book provides a first introduction for very young children to Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Key customs and rituals are explored, such as the lighting of a candle on the menorah, and the practice of giving to charity, known as tzedakah. Readers will learn about a selection of traditional food, including potato pancakes called latkes and sufganiyot, jam-filled doughnuts fried in oil. The symbolism behind key objects and traditions is explained in simple terms, helping young people to understand why these practices are a key part of Hanukkah. 

Each page contains bold, cheerful illustrations and features a robust flap, which can be lifted to reveal an image underneath, such as the interior of a synagogue. This interaction will encourage children to engage with the book and help them to develop their prediction skills as they guess what is hidden under each flap. Rounded corners and thick cardboard pages make the book perfect for little hands to grasp. Other titles in the First Festivals series include Christmas, Diwali, Easter and Ramadan.