It's a Miracle!: A Hanukkah Storybook

by Stephanie Spinner, Jill McElmurry

Having become this year's official candle lighter for the Hanukkah family celebrations, Owen lights the candle and then listens to his grandmother's tales that give him insight to his family, his heritage, and the traditions that make this holiday important to them all.

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

48 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

I was born in Davenport, Iowa, and grew up in Rockaway Beach, New York. I read straight through my childhood, with breaks for food, sleep, and the bathroom. I went to college in Bennington, Vermont, moved to New York City, and took a job in publishing so I could get paid for reading. I read so much bad fiction that I needed a break, so I moved to London, and from there I traveled to Morocco, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan India, Nepal, and Ceylon. I came back to America, wandered around some more -- to Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize -- and on returning to New York decided to study Tibetan Buddhist painting (called thangka painting) in Boulder, Colorado.

I painted thangkas for many years. Each one took anywhere from several weeks to a few months to complete, and at long last I understood that this was not the ideal way for me to make a living. Only a few hundred Americans collected thangkas, and they wanted old ones, painted by Tibetan monks. It was time to make a change.

So I took another publishing job, this time in children’s books. I found that I liked children’s books a lot, and before long, I became an editor.

Years passed. I was encouraged to write. I scoffed at the idea that I had anything to write about. I edited some wonderfully talented authors -- Virginia Hamilton, Philip Isaacson, Clyde Robert Bulla, Gloria Whelan, Robin McKinley, Joan Vinge, Garth Nix, and Chris Lynch, among others -- with great enjoyment. Writing seemed like torture by comparison.

Then, to my amazement, I found myself writing a book and having a good time -- simultaneously! The book was ALIENS FOR BREAKFAST, and I enjoyed writing it because my co-author was Jonathan Etra. Jon (who died of heart disease in 1990) was a close friend with a wild sense of humor, and collaborating with him changed my opinion of writing forever. After ALIENS FOR BREAKFAST, and ALIENS FOR LUNCH, which we also co-wrote, I began to think that writing could be interesting fun.

And now that I’ve been doing it full-time for more than ten years, I can tell you why I like it better than a job. First, I can work in my bathrobe. (To the FedEx man and the UPS man, I am "the woman in the plaid flannel robe.") Second, I can eat when I’m hungry, choose when to take phone calls, and walk my dogs any time. Third, the only meetings I have -- and they’re short -- are with the dry cleaner and the post office ladies. Fourth, I can read whatever I please. I may tell people I’m doing research when I read about horse-trekking, or hunting in ancient Greece, or 16 ways to better compost, but the truth is, I’m not doing research, I’m having a good time. Which I think is still allowed.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

We've been reading a lot of Hanukkah picture books as we celebrate the holiday, and they've certainly varied, but I've felt that each brought something. I'm sad to say that overall I thought this book was pretty bad. I will give it that it wasn't offensive, and the Hanukkah legend page at the back is one of the better distillations of the story that I've read. But otherwise, there's not much to be learned, and the illustrations were off-putting to me. The story seemed pointless - random tales about the family members that didn't feel like they contributed to a larger whole, and a lot of them were unpleasant and didn't seem like they'd be of interest to children to me (and the alien one was baffling), and the "OCL/official candle lighter" title was goofy to me. And it's pretty long for reading out loud. I would advise you not to waste your time!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not Jewish, so I might be missing something, but this was a very cute story following a grandson who learns about 8 miracles from his own family history as his grandmother teaches him about some of their Hanukkah traditions.

[Storytime Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

"On the first night of Hanukkah, Owen Block ran down to the dining room two steps at a time. He was the new O.C.L. - the Official Candle Lighter - and he couldn't wait to start his job."

This opening introduces a heartwarming tale of a boy who is finally old enough to light the menorah. Each night, as Owen lights the candles, his grandmother shares a different family story, making the book feel like an intimate journey through cherished memories.

While the book doesn’t have a traditional plot, it creates a cozy, reflective atmosphere that feels like meeting new friends and learning about their history. It inspires readers to ask their own relatives about their life stories, tying beautifully into the themes of family and tradition. However, it’s likely a one-time read rather than a repeat favorite, though its warm vibes make it a lovely choice for the Hanukkah season.

This book lands at ⭐⭐⭐⭐, making it a decent seasonal read that reminds us of the importance of family and storytelling.

Storytime Corner's rating scale:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ is a must-buy or a definite read-again.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ is well worth a read, but not necessarily a re-read.
⭐⭐⭐ is good if the theme or timing fits, but not essential.
⭐⭐ is probably not worth the time.
⭐ would require the content to be actively offensive.

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not a new book, Stephanie Spinner's It's a Miracle! A Hanukkah Storybook, is new to us. We found this one at our school's book fair and it is a great little gem. This book manages to tell a little bit about the story of Hanukkah while also showing how it really is about spending time with and appreciating your family. Young Owen is getting to light the Hanukkah candles himself for the first time. Each night, after the candles are lit, his grandmother tucks him into bed and tells him a story about someone in their family, without actually saying who the story is about. Owen is learning about family history while also spending quality time with his grandmother. The book ends with a simplified telling of the Hanukkah legend. This is a great book for younger elementary aged children to listen to around the holidays.

[Shea'Mia Harrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable story about family.
Set during the eight nights of Hanukkah, the main character learns more about his family through a new story told by his grandmother each night.
The illustrations are simple but engaging.
There are a few moments were information giving seems a little contrived but the story itself is creative.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this! Also heimish vibes! A family story during khanike! Owen is a kid who's savta tells him stories about different family members after lighting the candles each night and when they come over on the last night it's so sweet. I want this.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

On each night of Hanukkah, a grandmother tells her grandson amazing stories about different characters and their lives. On the final night, the boy realizes they are stories of his family. A great book about family and our ancestors and the traditions and love that connect us.

[Haley Hoenke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Social Studies: Religion

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family stories add a lot to the holiday and teaching the child about how faith can bring a family closer together.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet stories about a family. I was hoping to learn more about Hanukkah itself.

[R. L. Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a miss for me. Female Rabbi mentioned and aliens? Just kinda weird.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 6-year-old son and I really enjoyed reading this book, which we recently checked out of the library. Owen is "OCL" or "official candle lighter" for the first time during Hanukkah, and every evening as he gets ready for bed, his Grandma Karen tells him a wonderful story...about different members of his family.

I was surprised to learn that my 6-year-old knew the story behind Hanukkah (we are not Jewish) better than I did. (He learned about it at school.)

This is a wonderful book to introduce children to Jewish traditions and the wonder of family, whether they are Jewish or Gentile. We loved it!

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan has been fascinated by Hanukkah (I think because he has a friend celebrates it) so this year we did our best to celebrate it. This book was perfect for that! Owen, who happens to be 6 1/2, just like L, is finally old enough to be the official candle lighter. Each night, after he lights a Hanukkah candle, he gets tucked in and his grandmother tells him a story, usually about a relative in the family. The stories are short and funny and L really enjoyed reading one for each of the eight nights.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. The story was funny, but gave pieces of info about the holiday too. I really liked the explanation of Hanukkah on the last page. As a non-Jew, I honestly had no idea what they were celebrating until I read that.

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was the story a night by the grandmother in which she was really telling family stories from the childhood of each guest (aunts, uncles, parents) present at the dinner celebrating the last night of Hanukkah.

[571 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade 2 Up (SLJ)/ Ages 4-8 (BK)
a boy learns family stories from his grandmother as he lights Hanukkah candles. multicultural.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every night of Hanukkah Grandma tells Owen a story. Hanukkah legends, blessings and a glossary are included. Grades k-4.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, which tells the history of a boy's family alongside the traditions of Hanukkah.