"Eight Candles to Light"

This story is specifically a book to introduce the Jewish festival of Hanukah or Chanukah as said by Jewish people. A family of five walks the reader through the rituals that Jewish families go through during the lighting of the “eight candles” of Hanukah, as well as tying in some of the culinary traditions Jewish families take part in. Some of the activities that are introduced are games with the dreidel, the story of Judah Maccabee, songs, and the lighting of the candles. At the end of the text there is a more informational and serious explanation of “The Story of Chanukah.”

This book is a great introductory text that is accurately portrays the culture and celebration of Hanukah in an authentic manner. Although, because the book is such a simple version of the Hanukah story it’s literary quality is not very high. You would only use this text with very young children who needed the simplest version of this Jewish festival.
Citation:
Zucker, Jonny. Eight Candles to Light. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated, 2002.