Hanukkah!

by Roni Schotter, :

Now available in board book form, this classic follows the life of one family during a night of Hanukkah, from the eating of the latkes to the lighting of the menorah. Full color. 11 spreads.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Holiday, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Judaism

22 pages, Board Book

First published September 1, 1990

Reviews

[Amalia Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a book stays in print since 1990 I am always curious to find out why.
Hanukkah! by Roni Schotter, illustrated by marylin Hafner is such a book that proves that if it's good, it's good forever! The illustrations are charming and while your kids or grandchildren might dress differently nowadays, the essence of the true meaning of Hanukkah doesn't change. It's about a loving family who loves Hanukkah and isn't it what's its all about?
The story feels so honest and apropos today as it did in 1990. Moe, the little baby in the family, can't pronounce Hanukkah
blurbing Abadah, Anoohah and finally gets it and shouts, Hanukkah !
I can't wait to share this book with my grandchildren. No wonder it won the National Jewish Book Awards. Schotter's poetic language that sprinkles lovely rymes here & there makes it a pleasure to read!

[Ji · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book narrates about one particular Jewish family who are preparing to celebrate Hanukkah in the night. As a mother, a father, and a grandmother prepare a pot roast, applesauce, salad, cookies, fruit, nuts, and lemon cake in their kitchen, their young children Nora and Dan flip potato pancakes, Ruthie paints a “Hanukkah” sign, and Sam helps his baby brother Moe to say “Hanukkah.” After the wonderful feast, and family shares presents, sings, and dances together, and Moe finally says “Hanu-kkah.” There are many things that we can relate with this story; for example, most people had a family gathering to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, or birthday. From their best celebration experiences, as a teacher, I will tell students to write a poem or a rhyming story about it. I love how this author uses characters’ communications a lot and writes very short and simple. And I love how the illustrator uses the drawings to cover the most of pages, so young students can engage to the story better.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently read a Purim book by this team and I’m waiting for a Passover book. One thing that I loved about the book Purim Play is that the story of Purim was incorporated into the book’s story. Here, some of the traditions are shown but the true meaning of Hanukkah is told only on a page in the back; another page gives some additional information about vocabulary and the traditions.

I didn’t like this book nearly as well as the Purim book, but the illustrations are wonderful. The dog and cat are especially appealing. The dog going off with a latke (potato pancake) is adorable, and realistic.

[Laurie Fieldman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations the most. Was hoping for more of a story on kids learning how Hanukkah came about and the significance of the traditions: the menorah and lighting it, the dreidel, and the foods eaten in celebration.
There is a brief mention on the last two pages; would have liked the book more if that info was drawn out in the story.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hanukkah! features a family celebrating the last night of the holiday together. The focus is on each member's personal contribution to the celebration, be it cooking dinner, drawing a decoration, or adding one's voice to the prayerful song. Hanukkah! shines among holiday books by focusing on time spent in the warm embrace of family, with details like latkes or dreidels indicating the impetus for the gathering. The heart-warming subplot is the older brother's encouragement of the toddler to say, "Hanukkah," and understand that Hanukkah is a special holiday, even if the littlest one isn't ready to understand its significance. Back matter explains the origin of the Festival of Lights as well as a sticker page.

Note: Review copies of each book were provided upon request for the purpose of writing this post.

[Lisa Snortum-Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, simple story about a family celebrating Chanukah (they are American, I assume). It is not trying to explain the origins and customs about Chanukah; it is painting a picture of one family's beloved celebration. I did not immediately take to it, but it has grown on me and my young adult children love to read it again every year. One of our favorite parts is the little toddler brother, Moe, who has trouble pronouncing "Chanukah". We also enjoy how the kids all give homemade gifts or help in different ways that fit their individual talents. The words are simple and playful with some rhymes, but it's not a metered rhyme like Dr. Seuss or Jack Prelutsky. Now that my kids are grown, I am weeding out the holiday books, but this one is a keeper.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 2 out of 5]

The explanations at the end were nice, but other Hanukkah book have done a much better job of describing Hanukkah and the traditions to a Non-Jew. The pictures are cute and the story brief so a child already familiar with Hanukkah would enjoy this, and I suppose that really is the target audience.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award (1990?) this picture book celebrates the joy of family fun during Hanukkah. What I liked about the book was the end where the author summarizes the story of Hanukkah and includes images and definitions of a few Hanukkah words and what they mean. This is a youthful book that lightly teaches youth about a Jewish holiday.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated board book about Hanukkah traditions.

[Oriyah N · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book basically has no substance. I see it won the National Jewish Book Award. I have no idea how. It must've been slim pickings that year.

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jo Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story with beautiful illustrations. I loved the addition of family cats and dogs in the artwork. The added history at the end of the book was great. This book is quite a treasure.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyrical and sweet, it was a great way to end the day today. My students loved Moe!

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The baby plot was an amusing addition.

[Limeminearia]

Cute and cozy older Hanukkah book that’s a good fit for my secular (half) Jewish family

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

The text, prose or verse I don't really know, was absolutely horrible. The only redeeming quality this book has is the last page which gives a simple explanation of the story of Hanukkah that anyone can understand (young children) & the brief glossary that defines latkes, dreydel, menorah, & shamash very adequately for a young audience. I don't know how this book qualified for an award, but it sucked. (Sorry)

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple book about how one family experiences Hanukkah. Charming baby brother trying to pronounce the word Hanukkah throughout. This book does not teach the history of the celebration, but it does show a family enjoying each other as they prepare for it.

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was awful to read aloud. The only plus is the glossary!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little story about a family's Hanukkah celebration, with a very abbreviated explanation of the history after the story's end. Colorful illustrations.

[K Morlando · Rating 3 out of 5]

A toddler favorite!

[Miss Kious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming

menorah, latkes, love and family