Hanukkah Kids Story

It’s time to celebrate Hanukkah! Light the menorah. Sing songs and eat tasty treats. During Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, Jews remember a war they won. This allowed them to freely practice their beliefs.

It's Hanukkah time! Preschoolers will learn all about how people celebrate Hanukkah—from eating latkes, spinning dreidels, exchanging gifts, and lighting the menorah. And they'll also learn why they celebrate—from the destruction of the Temple, the bravery of the Maccabees, and the miracle of that little bit of oil that lasted for eight nights.

A bear wakes to wonderful smells that lead him to the house of Bubba Brayna. Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village, but at 97, she doesn't hear or see well. When the bear arrives at her door, she believes he is her rabbi. Bubba Brayna and the bear light the menorah, play the dreidel game, and eat all the latkes. The mix-up is revealed, Bubba Brayna has a laugh about it, and everyone works together to make more latkes.

It is a dark time in the medieval kingdom of Arialia. The Black Death has arrived. Fatima loses her parents to the plague. She's wandering in the forest alone and doesn't know where to go for comfort. In her desperation and in the cold at night, she dreams of a pink unicorn that can save her from fear and starvation. When she wakes she sees the carriage of the princess passing by. It has a pink unicorn design on it. Fatima pursues the carriage, meets the princess, and her life is forever changed as she learns the true meaning of the pink unicorn.

Recollections of childhood celebrations are brought together here, from the Yiddish translation of "A Visit from St Nicholas" to a mother reminiscing about her childhood Hannukah celebrations—or as her Gentile friends call it, "Jewish Christmas".

In this marvelous story the miracle of Chanukah is retold in a refreshing and modern way. The old story of the festival of light takes on new significance for a family just like yours.

Carefully leveled text engages young listeners in learning about the traditions and celebrations of Hanukkah. Age-appropriate critical thinking questions and a glossary help build nonfiction learning skills.