Recommended Books
We love books, and would love to share other books about dogs, Jewish culture and holidays and blessings with our friends.
Latke, the Lucky Dog
Rescued from an animal shelter on the first night of Hanukkah, Latke has trouble learning the house rules. Despite a series of mishaps, he is one Lucky Dog!
Hanukkah Hamster
The holiday season is a busy time, with people bustling about. And it's a busy time for Edgar, a cabdriver who conveys passengers around the city. All day long Edgar drives his cab; many people going to many different places. At the end of one busy day, Edgar is so tired he climbs into the backseat of his cab to take a nap. But he discovers he is not alone. A little hamster has somehow been left behind from one of the many fares Edgar has driven. Edgar dutifully reports the hamster to the cab company's Lost and Found department, but in the meantime the little creature needs to be taken care of. Edgar brings the hamster to his apartment, making it a bed, feeding it, and even giving it a name, Chickpea. As Edgar starts his Hanukah observance, with no family nearby to share in it, the little hamster becomes more than a casual companion to the lonely man. But what happens when Chickpea's owner is found?
Hanukkah Bear
Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village, and on the first night of Hanukkah, the scent of her cooking wakes a hungry, adorable bear from his hibernation. He lumbers into town to investigate, and Bubba Brayna—who does not see or hear very well—mistakes him for her rabbi. She welcomes the bear inside to play the dreidel game, light the menorah, and enjoy a scrumptious meal.
A 2013 National Jewish Book Award Winner, this book is perfect for a holiday story time with children— either in the classroom or at home, as an introduction for young readers to the traditions and customs of Hanukkah, and as a classic to return to year after year.
Light the Menorah! A Hanukkah Handbook
In this Hanukkah manual for the contemporary Jewish family, holiday history, rituals, activities, songs, and recipes provide tools for creating meaningful family moments in the light of the menorah. The book includes brief reflections to read aloud before reciting the candle-lighting blessings on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Hannah's Hanukkah Hiccups
It's Hanukkah, and Hannah Hartman can't stop Hiccupping!
Her neighbors try to help by sharing their sometimes silly, always fun, remedies: "Drink pickle juice backwards," says Mr. Brown, while Señora River gives Hannah a wet, red string to place on her forehead. Hannah tries ginger ale, breathing into a paper bag, and even slathering peanut butter on her latkes! Nothing works.
How will she be able to perform her solo at the Hebrew school play if her hiccups don't go away?
Ollie and Taavi Celebrate the Holidays
2012 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist
Written for young children, Ollie and Taavi are two Jewish dogs who like to celebrate the holidays. Follow along throughout the Jewish year with poems and fun.
Oskar and the Eight Blessings
A refugee seeking sanctuary from the horrors of Kristallnacht, Oskar arrives by ship in New York City with only a photograph and an address for an aunt he has never met. It is both the seventh day of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve, 1938. As Oskar walks the length of Manhattan, from the Battery to his new home in the north of the city, he passes experiences the city's many holiday sights, and encounters it various residents. Each offers Oskar a small act of kindness, welcoming him to the city and helping him on his way to a new life in the new world. This is a heartwarming, timeless picture book.
That's a Mitzvah
This whimsical, fun-filled board book helps you and your child explore the joys of doing good deeds and mitzvot together. Adapted from the award-winning It's a ... It’s a ... It’s a Mitzvah, the playful text spins new twists on beloved nursery rhymes. Lively illustrations introduce your child to the everyday kindnesses that mark the beginning of a Jewish journey and a lifetime commitment to tikkun olam(repairing the world). Your child will delight in turning the sturdy pages and celebrating the actions we all can do to become caring souls who think about and help others.
All Are Welcome
Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Moti the Mitzvah Mouse
Moti, the busy little mitzvah mouse, works all night, secretly doing good deeds for his human family and his animal friends. Who will do a mitzvah for Moti?
The World Needs Beautiful Things
Young Bezalel is different from the other Israelite slaves in Egypt. He loves to collect stones, bugs, bits of stringthese all seem beautiful to him. He keeps everything in his Beautiful Things Box and takes it with him everywhere. As the Israelites wander in the desert, God asks them to build a very special houseand Bezalel may be the only one who can create something beautiful enough to honor God.
Good Night, Israel
Good Night Israel teaches children about the Western Wall, the Israeli Museum, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, archeology, Masada, and holidays and traditions, such as making hamantaschen for Purim. Celebrating the unique culture of Israel, this adorable board book is designed to soothe children before bedtime while instilling early appreciation for the country's natural and cultural wonders.