Books for Hanukkah

Chanukah Lights Everywhere

Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is celebrated all around the world each December – and there are lots of ways to join in the fun! Here's our pick of the best children's books about Hanukkah.

  • All About Hanukkah (Things to Make and Do)

    Author: Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand Illustrator: Kathryn Selbert
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 7+

    With beautiful illustrations and lots of information about Hanukkah, this activity book is the perfect gift for any creative child.

  • Where is Baby’s Dreidel?

    Author: Karen Katz
    Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, US
    Interest age: 2-3

    It’s Hanukkah and Baby wants to spin the dreidel – but where is it? A fun hide-and-seek board book with large flaps for the very young.

  • Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah

    Author: Jamie Korngold Illustrator: Julie Fortenberry
    Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
    Interest age: 4-5

    Sadie has made her own menorah for Hanukkah – but what if it’s not quite perfect?

  • First Festivals: Hanukkah

    Author: Rabbi Ruti Regan (Consultant) Illustrator: Kathryn Selbert
    Publisher: Ladybird Books
    Interest age: 2-3

    This sturdy lift-the-flap board book provides a first introduction for very young children to Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.  

  • Chanukah Lights Everywhere

    Author: Michael J. Rosen Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
    Publisher: Voyager Books
    Interest age: 4-5

    Join a family as they celebrate Chanukah – the festival of lights. A heart-warming picture book to share.

  • Hana the Hanukkah Fairy

    Author: Daisy Meadows
    Publisher: Hachette Children’s Group
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 5+

    Can Rachel and Kirsty help Hana the Hanukkah Fairy find her stolen magic candle and save Hanukkah?

  • I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel

    Author: Caryn Yacowitz Illustrator: David Slonim
    Publisher: Scholastic Inc
    Interest age: 4-5

    An original twist on the familiar rhyme, with Hanukkah-themed items and the funny addition of depicting the old lady in classic pieces of art, like the Mona Lisa.

  • Little Glow

    Author: Katie Sahota Illustrator: Harry Woodgate
    Publisher: Owlet Press
    Interest age: 3-5

    This glimmering, gorgeous book is a gentle story that showcases the amazing celebrations of light across different communities, including Lunar New Year, Diwali, Hanukkah and Ramadan.

  • Larry’s Latkes

    Author: Jenna Waldman Illustrator: Ben Whitehouse
    Publisher: Apples and Honey Press
    Interest age: 4-5

    Can Larry invent a new recipe for latkes in time to feed his friends? A fun and informative picture book about a significant Hanukkah food tradition.

  • A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals

    Author: Claire Grace Illustrator: Christopher Corr
    Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
    Interest age: 8-11
    Reading age: 8+

    This richly illustrated non-fiction book showcases an entire year of festivals from across the globe, with each of the four sections focusing on a different season. A fascinating selection are featured, from ancient customs to modern-day festivities.

  • Eight Nights, Eight Lights

    Author: Natalie Barnes Illustrator: Andrea Segmaier
    Publisher: Little Tiger Press
    Interest age: 4-5

    Follow different families as they each celebrate Chanukah and light a candle every night. Full of warmth and love.