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Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf
In this delightfully inventive holiday tale, an elf named Shmelf takes a journey from the North Pole . . . and discovers all the joys of Hanukkah.Shmelf is one of Santa's most important elves. He's part of the List Checking department, and he makes sure all the good boys and girls get their presents! But when Shmelf finds out that some children are missing from Santa's list, he goes to investigate.What Shmelf uncovers is Hanukkah, a wondrous and joyful holiday that Jewish families celebrate each year. As Shmelf observes a family lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and hearing the Hanukkah story, he sees how special the traditions of the holiday truly are--and he wants to be a part of it! Luckily, Santa just might have a special role in mind for Shmelf . . .The rich traditions of Hanukkah come to life in this whimsical and magical story that's perfect for the holiday season.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2016
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September 19, 2016I CAN'T EVEN GIVE THIS BOOK 1 STAR! In my 19 years as a librarian, reading and reviewing children's books, Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf might be the most insensitive, inappropriate, disrespectful and offensive picture book I've ever seen. Here are my specific objections to this book:
1. The Jewish family is depicted as enjoying a lovely Hanukkah celebration - everyone is happy, there are plenty of presents, latkes, dreidels and gelt, and the menorah is burning brightly. But, Shmelf and Santa still feel that their celebration somehow isn’t meaningful and special enough on its own and is in need of a dose of Christmas magic. I find this patronizing and insulting.
2. The philosophy that Jews can believe in Santa and Christmas magic and that Santa believes in them too is not an idea that is promoted in mainstream Judaism and is not a philosophy that a mainstream, secular publisher should be validating or promoting. You will be hard-pressed to find a rabbi or Jewish educator who encourages Jewish families to adapt and add Christian traditions and practices (like leaving out a latke and pickle for one of Santa’s elves) to their Jewish holiday celebrations.
3. The history of Hanukkah is anti-assimilationist: the Maccabees fought to maintain their Jewish identity rather than be absorbed into the mainstream Hellenistic culture. Thus, the meaning of Hanukkah is in direct opposition to the meaning of Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf, which glorifies the adoption of customs from the dominant culture by those in the minority.
4. Christmas is a major holiday with significant religious meaning, while Hanukkah is a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar. They are in no way equivalent, and modern similarities are mostly a result of the commercialization of the entire season. This book incorrectly depicts Hanukkah as "the Jewish Christmas."
5. The fact that only Jewish children are singled out in the story is problematic. There are many other religious groups in America and around the world who do not celebrate Christmas. Is Bloomsbury planning to turn this into a series where Santa appoints a special elf to spread Christmas magic to Muslim, Hindu, and Jehovah’s Witness children? If this sounds absurd, then why is it okay to invent a Hanukkah elf? Additionally, the listing of Jewish names always carries an uncomfortable resonance (think Schindler's List). While young readers may not notice this, I find it to be an insensitive and tone-deaf literary device.
As with the controversies that surrounded books like A Birthday Cake for George Washington and When We Was Fierce, where well-intentioned authors unintentionally created works with disrespectful messages for minority readers, I feel that Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf tells Jewish readers "Your holiday is not good enough. Hanukkah needs to be more like Christmas." This is a message that neither Jewish nor Christian readers need to hear, much less readers of any other religion.
1. The Jewish family is depicted as enjoying a lovely Hanukkah celebration - everyone is happy, there are plenty of presents, latkes, dreidels and gelt, and the menorah is burning brightly. But, Shmelf and Santa still feel that their celebration somehow isn’t meaningful and special enough on its own and is in need of a dose of Christmas magic. I find this patronizing and insulting.
2. The philosophy that Jews can believe in Santa and Christmas magic and that Santa believes in them too is not an idea that is promoted in mainstream Judaism and is not a philosophy that a mainstream, secular publisher should be validating or promoting. You will be hard-pressed to find a rabbi or Jewish educator who encourages Jewish families to adapt and add Christian traditions and practices (like leaving out a latke and pickle for one of Santa’s elves) to their Jewish holiday celebrations.
3. The history of Hanukkah is anti-assimilationist: the Maccabees fought to maintain their Jewish identity rather than be absorbed into the mainstream Hellenistic culture. Thus, the meaning of Hanukkah is in direct opposition to the meaning of Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf, which glorifies the adoption of customs from the dominant culture by those in the minority.
4. Christmas is a major holiday with significant religious meaning, while Hanukkah is a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar. They are in no way equivalent, and modern similarities are mostly a result of the commercialization of the entire season. This book incorrectly depicts Hanukkah as "the Jewish Christmas."
5. The fact that only Jewish children are singled out in the story is problematic. There are many other religious groups in America and around the world who do not celebrate Christmas. Is Bloomsbury planning to turn this into a series where Santa appoints a special elf to spread Christmas magic to Muslim, Hindu, and Jehovah’s Witness children? If this sounds absurd, then why is it okay to invent a Hanukkah elf? Additionally, the listing of Jewish names always carries an uncomfortable resonance (think Schindler's List). While young readers may not notice this, I find it to be an insensitive and tone-deaf literary device.
As with the controversies that surrounded books like A Birthday Cake for George Washington and When We Was Fierce, where well-intentioned authors unintentionally created works with disrespectful messages for minority readers, I feel that Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf tells Jewish readers "Your holiday is not good enough. Hanukkah needs to be more like Christmas." This is a message that neither Jewish nor Christian readers need to hear, much less readers of any other religion.
December 13, 2018
A cute story for younger kids to older kids. This is a fun holiday tale for Jewish kids. One of Santa’s elfs was checking the Good and Naughty list and found that many good children were on the good list and still not getting toys from Santa. Shmelf found out that Santa does visit Jewish children as their parents provide for them. Shmelf had to go see for himself and feel in love with the tradition. Santa makes the elf the official Jewish Elf with a reindeer named Asher and his own blue sled. He wears Blue and white. He visits homes during Hanukkah bringing luck and holiday cheer.
The artwork is lovely and there is plenty of magic in the story. I think this is a fun idea for a story. I don’t know if it will catch on. It’s a nice way to understand different people and maybe it can build some bridges for children with their religion.
The kids go to Montessori school and so they learn about many other religions and this is nothing new for them. The nephew did love the Shmelf elf. They said they still prefer Santa Claus, but they would like 8 days of presents too. The niece gave this 3 stars and the nephew gave this 4 stars.
September 23, 2016
As an adult I can find Christmas/Hanukkah mashups like this amusing. I think this story would make a great SNL sketch, along the lines of Hanukkah Harry. But that's because I have the background knowledge to understand why combining these holidays is silly. The target audience for this book does not have that understanding.
Some suggest that because it's a lighthearted children's book that the message doesn't matter. I believe the message matters much more in a children's book, and this book's message is, as Rachel K. stated, "Your holiday is not good enough. Hanukkah needs to be more like Christmas." Children are learning how the world works, and this book tells them that it works by assimilation and emulation of the dominant culture.
Some protest that Santa Claus is not a religious figure. That does not matter, he is still a symbol of Christmas and by association of Christianity. Embracing such symbols is not a Jewish thing to do.
To Christian readers who are seeking books to introduce their children to Hanukkah and Judaism, I commend you for that. I'd suggest titles such as The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming by Lemony Snicket as a hilarious and accurate comparison of these two winter holidays, Chanukah Lights Everywhere by Michael Rosen for a positive portrayal of Jews celebrating their own holiday within the context of the larger culture, and Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko for a story of an interfaith family.
Some suggest that because it's a lighthearted children's book that the message doesn't matter. I believe the message matters much more in a children's book, and this book's message is, as Rachel K. stated, "Your holiday is not good enough. Hanukkah needs to be more like Christmas." Children are learning how the world works, and this book tells them that it works by assimilation and emulation of the dominant culture.
Some protest that Santa Claus is not a religious figure. That does not matter, he is still a symbol of Christmas and by association of Christianity. Embracing such symbols is not a Jewish thing to do.
To Christian readers who are seeking books to introduce their children to Hanukkah and Judaism, I commend you for that. I'd suggest titles such as The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming by Lemony Snicket as a hilarious and accurate comparison of these two winter holidays, Chanukah Lights Everywhere by Michael Rosen for a positive portrayal of Jews celebrating their own holiday within the context of the larger culture, and Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko for a story of an interfaith family.
June 22, 2017
In looking through the GR reviews, I was surprised so many people found only the negative in this book. Personally, I thought Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf addressed a real concern: Does Santa ignore Jewish children, good or bad? I love that the Jewish families were depicted as happy before Shmelf came into their lives, but that the elf's presence brought even more joy. The most important part was that yes, Santa sees all children. That's why the author wrote this, and I feel it truly succeeded in bringing holiday cheer to all.
July 20, 2017
As a Jew, I am sensitive about holiday books. There are several themes common in holiday books that I find make me feel very much an outsider. They include:
- books about the magic of Christmas .... nothing to make you feel lower than vaunting a holiday you don't or can't participate in
- books that attempt to showcase Christmas "and the other holidays too" ....my understanding is that Christmas has central religious and spiritual significance in most Christians' lives, whereas Hanukkah might not break the top 5 of significant, interesting or momentous Jewish holidays (I'm counting Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, and Tish B'Av as way more important than Hannukah)
.... and "us too!" books like this one, shows Santa giving Shmelf an opportunity to visit Jewish families. I don't know why a pagan/Christian symbolic figure has to be the one in this story to organize gifts for Jewish children. It emphasizes that Christian is "normal" and "default" while Jews are unusual or somehow lacking in their lack of "holiday spirit." And this book is not alone in books that do that.
- books about the magic of Christmas .... nothing to make you feel lower than vaunting a holiday you don't or can't participate in
- books that attempt to showcase Christmas "and the other holidays too" ....my understanding is that Christmas has central religious and spiritual significance in most Christians' lives, whereas Hanukkah might not break the top 5 of significant, interesting or momentous Jewish holidays (I'm counting Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, and Tish B'Av as way more important than Hannukah)
.... and "us too!" books like this one, shows Santa giving Shmelf an opportunity to visit Jewish families. I don't know why a pagan/Christian symbolic figure has to be the one in this story to organize gifts for Jewish children. It emphasizes that Christian is "normal" and "default" while Jews are unusual or somehow lacking in their lack of "holiday spirit." And this book is not alone in books that do that.
January 2, 2017
We celebrate Christmas, but my six year old wanted to learn about Hannukah, so I picked up all the books I could get my hands on. As I read it to her the other night I grew more uneasy and then downright angry.
The overall message to children is that Hannukah isn't good enough, that Santa needs to step in and have an elf liven up the holiday. It is patronizing and condescending. Even my six year old knew that this book was garbage. Asking questions about why Hannukah needed Santa's help. It doesn't.
I can't remember a time I read a children's book that made me this uncomfortable and angry.
If you are looking for stories of Hanukah and you celebrate Christmas, there are so many good books to chose from. One that mixes both holidays is: Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, or A Hanukah with Mazel. Those were two of our favs this year, but we read loads more that were just as great.
The overall message to children is that Hannukah isn't good enough, that Santa needs to step in and have an elf liven up the holiday. It is patronizing and condescending. Even my six year old knew that this book was garbage. Asking questions about why Hannukah needed Santa's help. It doesn't.
I can't remember a time I read a children's book that made me this uncomfortable and angry.
If you are looking for stories of Hanukah and you celebrate Christmas, there are so many good books to chose from. One that mixes both holidays is: Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, or A Hanukah with Mazel. Those were two of our favs this year, but we read loads more that were just as great.
September 15, 2016
What a fun book! Shelf the Hanukkah Elf made me laugh out loud several times with its clever word play, and I always love a good rhyme. The illustrations are both humorous and beautiful. I especially like the simple but clear explanation of why Hanukkah is celebrated. A great addition to my holiday book collection!
January 3, 2017
So the author here presupposes that children who celebrate Hanukkah somehow yearn to enjoy it on the same level that children who celebrate Christmas do, so much so he invents Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf. I can see where this would offend people because it is offensive, Christmas and Hanukkah are two separate holidays that happen around the same time. What the mass commercialization of the Christmas season has done is try to make it seem like these two holidays are simpatico and Shmelf the Elf is the unholy bastard that arises from that assumption.
Shmelf has no investment in Hanukkah at all beyond being sad that the kids aren't celebrating Christmas, so he has to confirm that they are eating some sort of traditional food during the month of December and are receiving presents of some sort to appease his desire to see every child gets some form of Santa in their life. To his delight that get lots of presents over many nights! Kids totally won't think Christmas and Hanukkah are all about getting presents at all from reading about Shmelf. I guess. It's all insane, terrible, and ill-conceived and the image of Shmelf riding alone in his own sleigh with his own reindeer through the night to deliver presents to Jewish kids is really really effing depressing.
The argument I heard from people is that it's a good way to explain Hanukkah to children who celebrate Christmas and don't know about the Jewish holiday. It's really not, in fact making Hanukkah look like Jewish Christmas is an objectively terrible way to help kids learn about it.
Shmelf has no investment in Hanukkah at all beyond being sad that the kids aren't celebrating Christmas, so he has to confirm that they are eating some sort of traditional food during the month of December and are receiving presents of some sort to appease his desire to see every child gets some form of Santa in their life. To his delight that get lots of presents over many nights! Kids totally won't think Christmas and Hanukkah are all about getting presents at all from reading about Shmelf. I guess. It's all insane, terrible, and ill-conceived and the image of Shmelf riding alone in his own sleigh with his own reindeer through the night to deliver presents to Jewish kids is really really effing depressing.
The argument I heard from people is that it's a good way to explain Hanukkah to children who celebrate Christmas and don't know about the Jewish holiday. It's really not, in fact making Hanukkah look like Jewish Christmas is an objectively terrible way to help kids learn about it.
November 14, 2018
Summary: Shmelf, an elf in Santa's workshop, becomes concerned for the good children who don't get presents from Santa because they're Jewish.
Review: Boo to this book. A few of my least favorite elements: (1) Let's not confuse religious holidays. Hanukkah and Christmas are both beautiful holidays in their own ways. (2) Let's not pretend that all holiday traditions can be equivocated. Yes, both of these holidays traditionally have gifts, but for different reasons. (3) Since this book equated Christmas and Hanukkah together, why not equivocate how people who celebrate them? Not all Christians get gifts from Santa, to get them from baby Jesus or the 3 Wise Men are also worldwide traditions.
Anyways, this book really annoyed me, and I wouldn't recommend it at all. I almost gave it one star, but I usually reserve that for books that I didn't finish because I hated them so much. Consider this 1.1 stars.
Review: Boo to this book. A few of my least favorite elements: (1) Let's not confuse religious holidays. Hanukkah and Christmas are both beautiful holidays in their own ways. (2) Let's not pretend that all holiday traditions can be equivocated. Yes, both of these holidays traditionally have gifts, but for different reasons. (3) Since this book equated Christmas and Hanukkah together, why not equivocate how people who celebrate them? Not all Christians get gifts from Santa, to get them from baby Jesus or the 3 Wise Men are also worldwide traditions.
Anyways, this book really annoyed me, and I wouldn't recommend it at all. I almost gave it one star, but I usually reserve that for books that I didn't finish because I hated them so much. Consider this 1.1 stars.
December 3, 2017
Nothing wrong with kids who celebrate Christmas learning about Hanukkah or Jewish kids learning about Christmas. Or even celebrating both. But attempting to combine them is stupid. Sorry, but I thought the book was dippy.
December 11, 2017
This was a great tool to explain to my 5 and three-year-old what Hanukkah was. It was their first introduction into religion. This book was an amazing teaching tool and I would recommend it to anyone. Cute, simple great illustrations, and just really well thought out.
July 7, 2017
Such a fun book!! Illustrations are great, storyline is precious, and would expose unfamiliar students to Hanukkah!
December 22, 2017
There's elfs in it.
November 13, 2018
mixed feelings about this one. Might be better for nonJewish families wanting to explain Hanukkah at a basic level.
December 12, 2023
Shmelf the elf is checking Santa's list twice and realizes that there are many children on the good list who aren't scheduled to receive gifts from Santa. This leads him on an adventure where he learns all about Hanukkah! Blended families will love this story, for sure! My K-5 students have all loved it this week.
November 6, 2018
this book is a wonderful new way to introduce other cultural holiday traditions to young children
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October 24, 2016Not sure if it's fair for me to assign stars, as I am not Jewish, so I'm not sure if this will come across as accurate, offensive, etc. Reading reviews, I see some readers feel strongly against it, while others seem to really support it. All I know is I do have friends (children and adults) who celebrate Hanukkah but mention Christmas trees, Santa, and how at some point they wished they could feel part of that mainstream draw. This seems like it could be a bridge for children who feel similarly (but again, I could see how it could go the other way.) I do appreciate the illustrations- we see multi-racial families and elves...
I definitely see great effort here, and from my perspective, I would give it probably 4 stars. But again, I'm not sure it's fair for me to do so. Would love to have conversations with others about this book to get their perspectives.
I definitely see great effort here, and from my perspective, I would give it probably 4 stars. But again, I'm not sure it's fair for me to do so. Would love to have conversations with others about this book to get their perspectives.
December 13, 2016
This is such a great book to introduce non-Jewish kids to Hanukkah! It's light, cute, and shows that more than one winter holiday has value and meaning. This could be a great springboard to get kids interested in multiculturalism. Jewish children will probably be very familiar with what this book teaches about Hanukkah, but the message that their holiday is not forgotten this time of year will be appreciated (for parents as well as kids!).
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December 8, 2020I hate do do this, but There is no way that I can even give this book one-star. I am extremely disappointed in the story line, which seems to imply that Christmas is the dominant holiday, and Hanukkah should adhere more to the celebratory customs of Christmas.
Please, give me a break. Oy!
I started this today, December 6th, in the local bookstore, and finished it very quickly, inside the stire.
Please, give me a break. Oy!
I started this today, December 6th, in the local bookstore, and finished it very quickly, inside the stire.
November 18, 2016
Yes! Fun book mixing a little bit of Santa Claus with some Hanukkah! A little confusing since I believe Santa Claus is a symbol of Christ (giving, loves us, wants us to be good) so having Asher (the Jewish Reindeer) and Smelf the Elf who work for Santa, but makes sure Jewish Kids get their 8 nights of gifts is an interesting twist. Not sure I am sold on it, but still a fun Holiday book! :-)
November 23, 2016
We LOVE Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf. We will be addressing letters to him at the North Pole, care of the big guy in red of course. But YAY for finding a way to include Hanukkah in the secular story of Christmas and connecting Jewish kids in the fun fairy-tale-world of Santa and his elves. Thank you! Thank you! And the illustrations are wonderful!
December 30, 2017
I loved this book! I've never really thought about what it must be like for Jewish children each Christmas season to listen to stories about Santa coming to leave presents for their friends but then Santa doesn't come to visit their house... so I really loved this story! A cute and sweet idea with such wonderful illustrations!
December 16, 2016
Shmelf the Elf learns about good boys and girls who don't get a visit from Santa. He investigates further and finds out about their Jewish traditions. Santa loves his Jewish friends and makes Shmelf a special Hanukkah elf.
December 5, 2020
Funny Light and fun, this takes Winter Holiday myth-making to a new level. And it's a nice introduction to this Jewish Holiday for kids who aren't Jewish (and live in areas with no Jewish classmates). Extra points for the very diverse group of elves.
September 6, 2016
Illustrations were amazing! Story left me wanting a bit.
October 20, 2016
I LOVE this story!!!
October 27, 2019
Terrible. Offensive. As a parent, a Jew, and a librarian, I would never recommend this book to anyone. Glad I preread it before letting my child see it.
November 3, 2016
Cute concept. I like the title. The syntax is pretty bad at times.
December 25, 2016
Tonight of the first night of Chanukah, we met Shmelf the Chanukah elf! Cute story, though I highly doubt Christmas and Chanukah are connected this much!
December 6, 2017
I thought this was a clever way to bring to the conversation with our students that there are other holidays besides Christmas that their friends might celebrate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews