Hanukkah Picture Books
The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes
illustrated by Nancy Cote
Soon all the relatives will be at Rachel's house for the last night of Hanukkah.
Rachel's elderly next door neighbor Mrs. Greenberg has also been invited. However, although she's all alone, she has declined the invitation.
She doesn't want to be a bother to Mama. But when Mama needs more potatoes, and then more eggs to make the latkes, Rachel dashes over to Mrs. Greenberg's house to borrow them. Meanwhile, she tries to convince Mrs. Greenberg to join them for Hanukkah. Each time, Mrs. Greenberg gladly gives Rachel the needed ingredient saying, "Don't borrow. I don't want it back. Just eat it in good health."
But she still won't join the celebration. As Mama says, "She has a heart of gold but she's as stubborn as an ox." Finally, when Rachel needs to borrow some chairs, she finds a clever and delightful way to include Mrs. Greenberg in the festivities.
Nancy Cote's fresh, and lively illustrations add charm and joie de vivre while capturing the warmth, humor, and love between Rachel and Mrs. Greenberg.
American Jewish Library Notable Book
Smithsonian Magazine Book of the Year
Florida State Book of the Year finalist
"Thank you for writing The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes. As a former preschool teacher, Jewish mom of 4 and co-chair of our temple's religious school, thank you! This wonderful book is now a family favorite. Every once in a while a gem comes along and the 'Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes' is in that category at our home."
--Adrienne Fiedler, Co-chair of Temple B'nai Sholem in New Bern,
North Carolina.
Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah
Illustrated by Nancy Cote
Rachel and Mrs. Greenberg, who star in The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes, are back! At Rachel's house, there won't be any potato latkes or company until the last night of Hanukkah. But Rachel wants the first night to really feel like Hanukkah. She heads next door to her neighbor Mrs. Greenberg's house where it all looks so clean like it's just waiting for company and
everything sparkles, even the floor.
Rachel talks Mrs. Greenberg into making latkes. But with each new
ingredient, something new lands on the floor. "Oops!" says Rachel. "Oy!" says Mrs. Greenberg. As the mess gets worse, it seems like Rachel may
upset Mama and Papa and also lose her friendship with Mrs. Greenberg.
But in the end, Rachel and Mrs. Greenberg's friendship survives, the kitchen gets cleaned up, and they all share latkes together. So it really feels like Hanukkah.
Rachel thanks Mrs. Greenberg. But Mrs. Greenberg says, "Don't thank me, thank you. I've got latkes and company."
Nancy Cote's delightfully fresh and lively illustrations capture the warmth,
humor, and fun of Rachel's messy but memorable day at Mrs. Greenberg's.
"Great Hanukkah Books for Kids" Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
Sydney Taylor Notable Book
Hoppy Hanukkah!
Illustrated by Daniel Howarth
Violet and Simon (two bunny siblings) don't remember Hanukkah from last year but are excited to celebrate this year. They want to light the candles right now and then blow them out a make a wish. They can hardly wait. They hop so hard their ears flop. Papa and Mama explain that Hanukkah candles are lit at sundown and are not blown out, but put in the window for all to see.
The theme of "that makes it feel like Hanukkah" is woven throughout the story--adding all the elements of Hanukkah including dreidel and latkes, presents and lighting the candles. This cozy family picture book for young children is filled with fun, warmth and love.
PJ Library Selection
"Very young children will be delighted to discover that in this book, a family of bunnies observes the holiday just like they do.... My daughter had just as much fun watching how the rabbits' ears flopped and flew as hearing the Hanukkah story." Nechama Veeder, Jerusalem Post
Way Too Many Latkes, A Hanukkah in Chelm.
Faigel makes the best potato latkes in Chelm, but somehow, this year she's forgotten how. She sends her husband, Shmuel, to ask the rabbi for help. And in Chelm, the village of fools—oy vey!—this becomes a recipe for disaster—that only a whole village can fix.
