Books:
Is It Hanukkah Yet? by Nancy Krulik
Can you Say Peace? By Karen Katz
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
Inclusion:
Is It Hanukkah Yet? by Nancy Krulik is told in the first person by a young Jewish girl as she waits for the sun to set and Hanukkah to begin. A very simple introduction to the basics of Hanukkah.
Can you Say Peace? By Karen Katz isn’t a Christmas book — it is actually meant to be read on World Peace Day (Sept. 21, 2019). I think that its vision of peace will works nicely as a transition to the holiday story times. Each page has a child from a different country and what the word “peace” is in their language.
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko centers around a young girl from a family of mixed faith. Daddy is a Christian and Mommy is Jewish. The story explores the way the family incorporates traditions from both holidays into their season.
Flannel Rhyme:
5 Little dreidels spinning in a row.
The first one said, “Spin me slow.”
The second one went round and round.
The third one fell down on the ground.
The fourth one spun like a happy top.
The fifth one said, “I’ll never stop!”
5 Little dreidels, look and see—
Spinning on Hanukkah for you & me.
–Marjorie Debowy
Credit: mclskids
Flannel Rhyme:
One menorah candle
burning oh so bright.
Now we’ll add another one –
it’s Hanukkah’s second night!
(Repeat, counting up to eight candles.)
Eight menorah candles
burning oh so bright.
We’re celebrating Hanukkah –
the festival of lights!
Continue to count down until there are none.
Credit: Story Time Secrets
With frosting galore
One was eaten and then there were four.
Four little Christmas cookies
Two and two you see
One was eaten and then there were three.
Three little Christmas cookies
But before I knew
One was eaten and then there were two.
Two little Christmas cookies ,
Oh what fun!
One was eaten and then there was one.
One little Christmas cookie
Watch me run!
I ate the last one
And then there were none!
