Books for Hanukkah

Little Glow

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.

  • wheres-babys-dreidel.png

    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

    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

    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

    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.

  • Han the Hanukkah Fairy

    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 Dr

    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.

  • A Dragon Called Spark

    A Dragon Called Spark

    Author: Lily Murray Illustrator: Kirsti Beautyman
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
    Interest age: 4-5

    Eva has moved house and she doesn’t know anyone. Luckily, she has her own dragon, Spark, who usually cheers her up, but even he feels a bit flat.

    This year, Hanukkah will be quiet. But Eva’s mum points out that Hanukkah is also the season for miracles, and when they meet the neighbours, Eva and Spark start to make friends with Charlie. Small steps are made…

  • Little Glow

    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.

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    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.

  • Eight Nights, Eight Lights

    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.

  • A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals

    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.

  • All Abut Hanukkah (Things to Make and Do).jpg

    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.