C
BY DEBORAH FINEBLUM/JNS.ORG
edith Lewis, director of content and engagement for the Harold
Grinspoon Foundation’s PJ Library program, which distributes
nearly 200,000 Jewish children’s books to families in the U.S., Can-
ada and elsewhere.

As of press time, publishers
were still rolling out new Cha-
nukkah releases, but several titles
In fact, Chanukahs of old often
had already surfaced. Among
included a book, its pages spotted
them are Little Red Ruthie: A Ha-
with droplets of candle wax. In its
nukkah Tale, by Gloria Koster, a
pages the brave Maccabees once
spin on Little Red Riding Hood;
again defeat the Syrian Greeks, a
and Queen of the Hanukkah Do-
tiny cruse of oil keeps the temple’s
sas, by Pamela Ehrenberg, fea-
menorah aglow for a miraculous
turing a family celebrating with
eight days, children spin dreidels
spicy Indian food.

for chocolate gelt (money) and you
“You can smell the curry com-
can almost smell the sizzling latkes.

ing off this wonderful new book,”
These days, the marketplace
Lewis said, noting that Queen of
overflows with books that can
the Hanukkah Dosas and Little
warm up the coldest Chanukah
Red Ruthie made it into PJ Li-
night. The books reflect both the
brary’s fall lineup. Other notable
holiday’s miracles and the nuanc-
new releases include Judah Mac-
es of growing up Jewish in the
cabee Goes to the Doctor, by Ann
21st century.

Koffsky; Way Too Many Latkes:
“We’re seeing an exciting di-
A Hanukkah in Chelm, by Linda
versity in kids’ Chanukah books
Glaser; and The Missing Letters: A
now,” said Joy Getnick, direc-
Dreidel Story, by Renee Londner.

tor of Jewish life at the Louis S.

But tried-and-true Chanukah
Wolk Jewish Community Center
classics continue to delight.

of Greater Rochester. One of the
“If I had to pick one Chanu-
best parts of her job: funneling
kah book to read to my kids every
children’s books into the JCC’s
night, it would be Eric Kimmel’s
preschool, books Getnick test-
brilliant Hershel and the Hanuk-
drives with her 2-year-old son.

kah Goblins,” Kamin said. She
Experts say there’s a certain
also loves Kimmel’s lesser-known
quality of magic in the best of
goblin story, Zigazak! A Magical
these books — making them the
Hanukkah Night and his The Ha-
kinds of gifts that keep giving.

nukkah Bear, in which an elderly
“They have to celebrate being Joy Getnick reading a Chanukah story book to her son, Benjamin. latke-maker mistakes a bear for
Photo by Jonathan Getnick
Jewish in a diverse world and
her rabbi.

transmit powerful values to
For those looking for a dra-
the new generation,” Getnick
matic children’s book, Lou-
said. ise Borden’s The Journey That
“They have to make the
Saved Curious George features
child wonder what’s going
Hans and Margret Rey’s escape
to happen next,” said Lyn-
on bicycles from the Nazis
dall Miller, who directs the
during World War II — taking
Jewish Early Childhood Ed-
children’s book manuscripts
ucation Leadership Institute,
along for the journey.

where the Jewish Theological
Meanwhile, for interfaith
Seminary and Hebrew Union
families, Chanukah can be a
College - Jewish Institute of
delicate time when it comes to
Religion provide leadership
reading. training and Jewish learning
“Parents and grandparents
to directors of early childhood
say, ‘A book about Christmas
centers. and Chanukah? That’s great!’
“They have to give Jewish
But they need to read it first,”
children a sense of pride and
Kamin warned. “Is it patroniz-
inclusion,” said Rachel Kamin, a book reviewer, judge and editor
ing or insulting? Or does it sensitively reflect the message of Cha-
who directs the Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center
nukah for an interfaith family?
at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Ill.

“In what can be a confusing time of year,” she said, “it’s often the
Chanukah-themed children’s books “help us see how the mir-
grandparents who become the portal to tradition and play a key
acles in our own lives reflect the miracle” of the holiday, said Mer-
role in shaping identity.” l
hanukah and children’s
books go together like
latkes and
applesauce. By Transmitting Values,
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Are The Chanukah
Gifts That Keep Giving
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 23, 2017
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