Slightly rejigged from a couple of years ago – well, retitled, at least – this is a very decent look at Hanukkah for primary school audiences. It certainly pins it down as a religious time, but goes further than similar books generally do to admit the origins of it all are a touch vague and unknown. We do of course learn all about the 44 candles needed for the menorah, and what we do with a dreidel – as well as make our own, amongst the several crafting suggestions. Differences across the world add to the information easily conveyed here, and this – in a world where arguably the Maccabees are needed once more – is a great success.

I'm again asking NetGalley to add an age range to their book descriptions when selecting. I expected this to be more like a picture book but it reads like an elementary textbook. This is definitely a wonderful, needed, accessible text and would be great for 1st through 4th grade. I love to see more representation and books that highlight other holidays. I think information wise this is a good introduction to Hannukah but the illustrations are limited and the text takes up the majority of the page and text. I think there are other books that give a more exciting and engaging introduction to the holiday. This would be a secondary addition to any collection for elementary students.

This book is the perfect intro for kids and adults into Hanukkah. I love that it isn't just the story but it also includes recipes, different ways people celebrate around the world, pronunciations, crafts, common phrases and so much more. It's perfect for me to give my husband who is Christian to help him understand some more customs and traditions and also show my kids how people in other counties celebrate compared to us. I loved it!

I loved how easy and informative this was! As an adult, I would find this very easy to read to my daughter or a group of children. I loved how they included recipes and activities towards the end. I also loved the glossary!

𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐤𝐤𝐚𝐡!

The "Why We Celebrate" series from Calllisto Kids provides fantastic detailed guides to various holidays. They will educate those who know very little about someone else's culture or enlighten those who want to know a little more about their own. In this book author Stacia Deutsch teaches the reader about Hanukkah. She begins with a brief explanation of the holiday of Hanukkah. In the next chapter she begins by explaining the Hebrew word חנוכה and why there are so many different ways to spell it in English. I loved her description of how to pronounce the beginning sound of the word, the Hebrew letter chet ח, as "a throaty kh sound, like a snore that goes out instead of in." I have never heard it described better! The book then continues with different chapters about the history & folklore, preparation and celebration. There is a chapter that addresses the diversity of the Jewish people an describes different ways that Hanukkah is celebrated around the world. Like the other books in this series there is a "Culture Corner" with child friendly crafts and recipes, a pronunciation guide, glossary and a bibliography. The illustrations by Annita Soble are perfect for the elementary aged reader that this book targets. As a Jewish adult, most of the information in this book was no surprise. But I learned a little in the discussion of history versus folklore and in the chapter about celebrations around the world. This book provides information for anyone learning about the holiday. The craft ideas are tried and true and the recipe for latkes is a classic. this book would provided an excellent source in any Jewish home or in a classroom that wants to balance the celebrations during the holiday season.

The Jewish Festival of Lights is celebrated all over the world.
What is it? What is its history and folklore? How do people prepare for it? How is it celebrated?
It is a celebration of freedom, strength, and survival against the odds as well as the historical miracle of the tiny vial of olive oil for the Temple Menorah that burned/light and lasted 8 days and nights.
We learn about the foods (recipes!), the giving of presents and donations to charities, volunteering, songs, prayers/blessings, playing the dreidel, receiving Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins wrapped in foil). There are special variations in Spain, Iraq, India, Morocco, China, and France.
There are pronunciation guides throughout followed by a glossary, and a list of facts, activities, and even web sites.
The illustrations by Annita Soble are delightful, brilliantly colorful, and fun!
Well suited for reading WITH someone of ANY age (not only 6 to 9) including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions provided by Callisto Publishing | Callisto Kids via NetGalley. Thank you!
@sfdeutsch Author @AnnitaSoble Illustrator @CallistoPub @CallistoKids #WhyWeCelebrateHanukkah @CBCBook

Charming illustrations, easy to read facts and the history of so many different cultures! I loved learning how different places celebrated the holiday! Latke is the best!

WOW! I was not expecting this to be so informative! I learned more about Hanukkah from this children's book than I thought I would.

The information is great! The artwork is not that engaging for 6 year olds and is portably best for upper elementary school-aged children.I love how there is a table of contents that helps the reader easily go back to topics they want to revisit and I especially love how the author included the Dreidel game instructions! It's important to note that this author took such care when addressing the differences in the Jewish cultures around the world. This was not overly religious, but very informative, caring, and unique! I don't know of any other children's book that included recipes for favorite Jewish meals!

Thank you to Stacia Deutsch and Callisto Kids for the privilege of reading an ARC of this publication!