Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

What are your Hanukkah plans?

Personally, I love having relatives over for the eight nights of Hanukkah. My teenagers morph into delightful, polite beings in the presence of others. But Hanukkah is going to be different than usual this year.

How about you? Are you worried about surviving eight nights with your nuclear family? Or are you excited about spending a quiet Hanukkah with your angelic children? Either way, give your Hanukkah harmony a fighting chance by following our four steps for a happy holiday!

Step 1: Turn on some sweet Hanukkah melodies

Hand the kids some potatoes for grating, and sing along with our Hanukkah CDs  and online Hanukkah music.

Sharon, Lois and Bram have a magical multi-holiday mix, Candles, Snow & Mistletoe: Songs for Christmas and Chanukah. Their playful version of "I Had a Little Dreydl" will become a staple in your home. 

If you haven't heard the beautiful voice of Torontonian Leah Salomaa, please put her CD Under a Winter Star on hold right now! This disc only has one Hanukkah song (everybody's favourite, "Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah"), but you will want to listen to it all eight nights. The other songs on this CD are just as gorgeous. I used to put my babies to sleep to Dona Nobis Pacem on repeat.

Step 2: Eat fried food

Planning to head to Bathurst Street to pick up some sufganiyot (filled donuts) and latkes (potato pancakes)? Why not jump on the DIY trend and make your own Hanukkah treats!

The Doughnut Cookbook comes from the Williams-Sonoma test kitchen, so it's got to be good.  And what a cover. I'm putting it on hold right now.

The Vegan Holiday Kitchen cookbook by Nava Atlas has you covered with eggless latkes.

Or perhaps you would like to go Kosher Style: Over 100 Jewish Recipes for the Modern Cook.

Step 3: Insert Hanukkah Fun

There is a tradition that women should do no housework during the 30 minutes that the candles are burning. Stop washing the dishes and sit down to play the dreidel game in the glow of the candlelight.

When you're all dreidel-ed out by the fourth night, explore these two books. They are chock full of Hanukkah activities for all ages.

Four Sides, Eight Nights: A New Spin on Hanukkah by Rebecca Tova Ben-Zvi

The Kids' Catalog of Hanukkah by David A. Adler 

To help the little ones wind down after the fun, cuddle up on the couch and watch Shalom Sesame – Chanukah: The Missing Menorah. You can borrow the DVD or stream it online through Hoopla (which is free with your library card).

Step 4: Settle down for Hanukkah Storytime

It's dark outside, so it's time for the kids to go to bed, right? Since the sun sets at 5pm, there's lots of time to read bedtime stories. Here are some of the Hanukkah picture books I recommend from our collection.

I adore the lovely illustrations in Hanukkah Haiku by Harriet Zeifert and Karla Gudeon.

Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap is fun to read, and it also teaches the history of Hanukkah.

I cherish this sweet story about a kitten and puppy named Latkes and Applesauce.  It's an older book (1990) but the story will stay with you. And the next time your kids are acting entitled, you can remind them about how Applesauce dug for potatoes in the snow.

On the lighter side, follow the shenanigans of Latke, the Lucky Dog who is adopted on the first day of Hanukkah.

If you're looking for a good cry, read these two superb picture books about families helping other families bring their holidays to life. I get choked up every time, prompting my kids to stare at me like I'm an alien. It's fun.

A Chanukah Noel: A True Story by Sharon Jennings

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco

Finally, for all those interfaith families out there with a Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama, Selina Alko has written a book for you!

Looking for more? Our children's librarians have compiled a handy list of Hanukkah books for kids.

Light the first candle on the evening of Thursday December 10. Happy Hanukkah everyone!