Jewish Protagonist

Books:
 

Hanukkah Bear by Erick A Kimmel – Our guest was a natural story teller and had the kids in stitches.  This is a book that is a favorite in her house and is read every year at Hanukkah.  A little old lady thinks that the Rabbi has come for a Hanukkah visit, but in actuality it’s a bear who has wandered in!!  Our library doesn’t have a copy so I am ordering it!
The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler – This is a little board book that tells the origins of Hanukkah in an easy way for the littles to understand.

Menorah VS. Hannukiah:

Hannah explained the menorah to us, which she said is actually called a  hanukkiah.  The menorah doesn’t have the ninth candle, the shamash (which means servant, because it lights the other candles) and is more ceremonial.  She also showed us the correct way to add the candles and to light them.  She and her children sang the blessing to us in English and Hebrew.
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!
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
Game:
Dreidel

My guest brought dreidels and geld for each child to play with at the library and take home with them!  It was very easy to learn and I found this excellent set of rules to refresh myself when my niece and I were playing at home.
 
 

 
As my niece put it, she “crushed” me when we got home and played!

Craft:
My guest also had a simple hanukkiah craft idea that I used.
 
 

 
I always have Christmas stickers at this time of year, so I made sure that I made ( since I couldn’t find any to buy) some Hanukkah stickers as well.

 
This was a wonderful story time!  We had a mixture of Jewish and non-Jewish families attend.  The non-Jewish families were respectful and asked intelligent questions.  I’m planning on making this an annual event.
My guests very kindly gave me a small Hanukkiah and candles as well.  At night I’ll burn the candles at home in honor of my new friends, and display it in the library with the correct amount of candles during the day.