Parents' Guide to

On the First Night of Chanukah

By Dawn Friedman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Chanukah tale borrows Christmas melody -- oy.

Book Cecily Kaiser Picture Book 2007
On the First Night of Chanukah Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

A family celebrates Chanukah to the tune of \"The Twelve Days of Christmas.\"

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

This slim book doesn't have much to offer by way of story or illustrations. Written clumsily to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," there is little besides Chanukah clichés here. There is, of course, mention of dreidels, latkes, gelt, and the menorah, but other than a list of Chanukah-ish things, nothing happens. The pictures are merry cartoons, with every man wearing a hat or yarmulke and every kid wearing a grin. A look at the puppets (on the sixth night) shows a Maccabbee playhouse, but that's the closest we get to any discussion about Chanukah's origins.

Except for relying on a Christmas carol for its schtick, there's nothing particularly wrong with this book, but there's nothing particularly right either. It's a quick, inexpensive gift to grab on the way to a kids' holiday party, and that's about it.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about their own Chanukah celebrations. How are they the same as the ones illustrated in this book? How are they different?

Book Details

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