Celebrating Hanukkah & Christmas!

I know so many families that celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas that I thought I would highlight some books that deal with both holidays. When I was first in books there were not many titles that dealt with these two holidays. I am happy to say that there are more are more out there to accommodate the true melting pot we live in.

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There is No Such Thing as a Hanukkah Bush, Sandy Goldstein by Susan Sussman

This is the first book I ever saw that dealt with both holidays, it is beautifully written for an older child but would make a great read aloud for the younger set.

Light the Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah & Christmas by Margaret Mooreman

This too is one of the earlier books on Hanukkah & Christmas ----a classic & a must have.

The Trees of Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco

Another wonderful story by one of my favorite authors...truly special.

Elijah's Angel: A Story for Chankah & Christmas by Michael Rosen

I love this book~always read at storytime...beautifully illustrated!

My Two Grandmothers by Effin Older

Sweet story about sharing a girl celebrating each holiday with her different grandmothers...

Christmas & Hanukkah by Elizabeth Dice

A nice nonfiction title that talks about both holidays to share!

My Daddy is Jewish & My Mother is Christian by Michele Lee Meyer

A great book that shows both faiths and how they can work together.

The Latke who Couldn't Stop Screaming by Lemony Snicket

Such a funny book by the "author" of the Series of Unfortunate Events books~great book to give as a gift to anyone.

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So to everyone who celebrates both: Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas!

Reference Sunday: The Everything Kids' Hanukkah by Beth L. Blair; Celebrate Hanukkah by Deborah Heiligman

Today I wanted to suggest a book that would be great in the helping of celebrating Hanukkah. I couldn't decide between two good books that give great information about the holiday including activities, crafts, songs, even recipes.

The first one the Everything Kids' Hanukkah Puzzle & Activity Book is great because it has more than 100 games and activities for kids to learn about Hanukkah with. It is easy to understand and totally kids friendly.

The second book Celebrate Hanukkah: with Light, Latkes, & Dreidels is wonderful because it shows how to celebrate the holiday using stunning photographs of celebrations around the world. It even has a great latke recipe.

Both books would be great additions to any family library to reference at this special time~

Hanukkah Books

A week from now is Hanukkah. Yesterday I wrote about a new book but today I thought I would list some of my favorite Hanukkah books.

These to me are great for all ages and would make perfect gifts.

Hershel & the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel

One of my all time favorites and a Caldecott Honor book too!

Light the Candles: A Hanukkah Lift the Flap Book by Joan Golub

A fun book for kids to interact with.

Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah by Sylvia A. Rouss

Part of a series that introduces the holidays to preschoolers.

Festival of Lights: the Story of Hanukkah by Maida Silverman

This book tells the story of Hanukkah, the legend of the Menorah & gives instructions to make a dreidle.

Great books for a beautiful holiday!

The Amazing Menorah of Mazeltown by Joy Fate & Harold Dresner Illus by Neil Shapiro

With a week to go before Hanukkah begins next Friday, I thought I would suggest a great book for this wonderful holiday. I have always liked the message of Hanukkah...the idea of a "Festival of Lights" is very inspiring.

While in the stores this was a fun holiday to celebrate because it is so joyous. I wished I had this book to read when I used to do storytimes. What I like about this book is that is not just a retelling of the Hanukkah story but a new take on celebrating it. The illustrations are sweet and accessible and the story is fun to read. If you are shopping for Hanukkah this weekend this would be a great book to have for your own children~it would also make a great gift.

Tomorrow I will give a list of some great classic Hanukkah stories that are sure to please every age.

The True Gift: A Christmas Story by Patricia MacLachlan illus by Brian Floca

I have always love to read Patricia MacLachlan, she is one of those writers that doesn't need alot of words to get her point across. Her books always have a lyrical feel to them.

The True Gift: A Christmas Story is another lyrical book. Yes, it is sentimental but this time of year is when we need that in our lives. I love how it has a message that speaks to children and adults. I think it is message that still needs to be heard. Basically the adage is true: It is better to give than receive~.

I think most of yearn for tradition. We want everything to be the same as last year or the year before. We have this desire to do things like we did as kids. But as in life things change, traditions change. Sometimes we learn this early and sometimes it takes awhile. This book shows us adults that sometimes change is good and that we can make new traditions. Sometimes it takes a child to teach us. This beautifully illustrated and poetic book it a great addition to any holiday tradition~a perfect family gift too!

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner

I recently read The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner. It made me flashback to my own childhood and the projects I always hated to do. I was a lot like Gianna in that I totally procrastinated on any thing I had to do. To this day I am still a bit of a procrastinator. I remember staying up late to make a giant tooth for my science class~well I stayed up and watched my father make the tooth out of sponges....to my credit I did write the report (with a little help from my sister). Actually my father was a great one for pretty much helping with our school projects. Since he was a commercial artist my covers were always perfect. I also remember the time he "helped" my brother Michael make a diorama of a kitchen for math class. It was incredible right down to the detailed groceries in the grocery bags.

This is what was so nice about this book. The characters are ones we can totally identify with, right down to the nemesis. The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z has all the feel of some of the greatest school stories. If you know a child who loves Andrew Clements books like Frindle or Lunch Money etc., then they will love this book.

As a bookseller this is the type of book that is easy to sell because the kids will like it and the parents will too. It would make a great gift!

Flashback Tuesday: Dr Seuss Books: How the Grinch Stole Christmas etc

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is probably one of the best Christmas books ever written. As a bookseller and later as a children's book buyer this was one of the only Christmas books that I would keep stocked all year long. I wouldn't keep many copies in all stores but at least one or two. During my years as a buyer, Dr Seuss was one of the subjects that I bought. As I kept track of the category it always amazed me that people bought this in the middle of July. I think because it is iconic and makes a great gift.

I am including all of Dr Seuss as part of today's Flashback Tuesday because all his books reminds us of our childhood. They have withstood the test of time. Dr Seuss books are the books I would recommend that new booksellers should suggest because even they knew them ~it is always easier to recommend what you know.

There are so many Dr Seuss books that it would be hard to list them all. We all know Cat in the Hat or Green Eggs & Ham or Horton Hears a Who but how about Yertle the Turtle or The Butter Battle Book. There are even great anthologies if you just want to buy one book as a family gift.

This is a great time of year to add to a child's library as most stores and even online have the yearly Buy 2 get the 3rd free promotion going on. They make perfect gifts especially with families with lots of different aged children.