From the desk of Mary Ellen Loebl, PJ Library Coordinator
There are so many wonderful PJ Library Hanukkah stories—over 90, in fact! And truly, Hanukkah books in general abound. With so many choices, it can be hard to pick favorites, but here are a few we especially love at the J.
Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights because it commemorates the miracle of a single cruse of oil—enough for one day—burning for eight full nights in the Temple in Jerusalem. It’s a 2,000-year-old reminder that light can triumph over darkness. Books like Gracie’s Night, Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles, and The Trees of the Dancing Goats beautifully capture that message, showing little ones how kindness and hope can shine during challenging times.
PJ Library also has a long-standing tradition of introducing children to Jewish life and celebrations from all around the world—and sometimes with a lot of humor along the way! You’ll find this spirit in stories like Hanukkah in Alaska, Hanukkah in Little Havana, Hanukkah Upside Down, and Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas.
Of course, we also cherish our time-honored classics, brand-new favorites, sturdy board books for tiny hands, and wonderfully silly tales—like adventures with talking potato families who celebrate the MACCA-bees (yes, bees!), retellings of old stories in modern voices, an alligator serving latkes from a food truck, Dreidel the Parakeet, and so many more.
Come explore a whole world of Hanukkah magic through stories—there’s truly something for every reader!
Explore PJ Library’s Hanukkah books at pjlibrary.org/books by sorting the list by holiday. See a title that catches your eye? Email pjlibrary@tucsonjcc.org to check if we have an extra copy available.
PJ Library Favorites for Hanukkah
Hanukkah Upside Down
Written by Elissa Brent Weissman
Illustrated by Omer Hoffmann
Noah lives in New York. Nora lives in New Zealand. Which cousin will have the world’s best Hanukkah? Jewish communities around the world have unique and special ways to celebrate the holiday, but the joy of Hanukkah is universal.
Hanukkah in Alaska
Written by Barbara Brown
Illustrated by Stacey Schueett
Hanukkah in Alaska is unlike anywhere else — less daylight, more snow, and one very unexpected guest!
Hanukkah in Little Havana
Written by Julie Anna Blank
Illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera
This year, Hanukkah starts with a surprise — a road trip to Miami to spend the holiday with Nonna and Nonno in Little Havana. The oranges, latkes, and buñuelos are delicious, but sweetest of all is getting to share the holiday with loved ones.
Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas
Written by Pamela Ehrenberg
Illustrated by Anjan Sarkar
Sadie’s family has both Jewish and Indian background, so at Hanukkah they eat dosas, traditional Indian pancakes. But they get locked out just before their Hanukkah party! Who will save the day?
Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles
Written by David Adler
Illustrated by Jeff Ebbeler
Sara and her family are getting ready for Hanukkah — which means delicious foods, including cookies! But then she notices one man who doesn’t seem to eat much at all, let alone Hanukkah treats. Sara decides to try and help.
Gracie’s Night
Written by Lynn Taylor Gordon
Illustrated by Laura Brown
Gracie and her papa have lots of love — but only a little money. Gracie manages to get her papa a beautiful Hanukkah gift anyway — but then she sees someone who could use a little generosity even more than her papa. What she does next transforms Hanukkah for all of them
The Trees of the Dancing Goats
Written by Patricia Polacco
Illustrated by Patricia Polacco
During a scarlet fever epidemic in Michigan, the members of a Jewish family help make Christmas special for their very sick neighbors.
Antlers with Candles
By Chris Barash
Illustrated by Melissa Iwai
Everything looks new when seen from a child’s perspective, including menorahs, dreidels, and latkes. But family togetherness is something everyone understands.
Dreidel Day
By Amalia Hoffman
Illustrated by Amalia Hoffman
During Hanukkah, every day is a dreidel day! Little ones will love counting along with the kitty in this book as the holiday progresses from 1 to 8.
You’re My Little Latke!
By Nicola Edwards
Illustrated by Natalie Marshall
Hanukkah is full of sweet treats and fun traditions, but best of all is sharing it with our little ones. Kids will love the playful cut-outs in this book, and parents will love the opportunity to remind them just how much they are cherished.
Find additional holiday resources, activities, and book information at pjlibrary.org.
Interested in getting involved with PJ Library? Learn more about how children aged birth to twelve can get free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture here. Connect with Mary Ellen with questions, concerns, and recommendations.
*all book synopses from pjlibrary.org
