Chanukah Lights Everywhere
By Dawn Friedman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Loving family's cozy celebration appeals to all.

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What's the Story?
A 5-year-old boy thinks about what Hanukkah means for his family.
Is It Any Good?
In this warm picture book, a 5-year-old boy sees the way his family's faith is reflected in their Hanukkah celebration. Melissa Iwai's acrylic paintings perfectly complement the cozy text. Domesticity through the eyes of a child is caught in the details -- son and father making a bed while mother peels potatoes, little sister giving her stuffed cat a bottle, a patchwork of kids' artwork hung on the refrigerator door.
The religious discussion is saved for the end of the book, where the author offers a brief explanation of the meaning of Hanukkah. Other holiday celebrations are mentioned casually as the narrator reflects on his friend's house, where Christmas candles shine in the windows. The emphasis on celebration and family makes this an appropriate book both for families who observe Hanukkah and those who are interested in their children learning more about it within the context of a simple, loving portrait of a family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about similarities to their own holiday rituals. Does your extended family come to help celebrate? Do you have special foods or customs?
Jewish families might want to compare their own Hanukkah celebrations to those of the family in the book.
Book Details
- Author: Michael J. Rosen
- Illustrators: Bagram Ibatoulline, Melissa Iwai
- Genre: Picture Book
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Harcourt
- Publication date: October 1, 2006
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 7
- Number of pages: 32
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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