DECEMBER 19 • 2024 | 33
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hanukah is coming.
Beginning on Dec. 25 and
running through Jan. 2,
the Jewish Festival of Lights is a
celebration of miracles, resilience,
religious freedom and oil. Jewish
families worldwide recount the
story of the Maccabees, ancient
Jews who fought against the Greeks
for their religious freedom. This
small Jewish army encountered
miracle after miracle: first, when
they defeated the bigger, stronger
Greek army and then when the
tiny, single-day’s worth of oil in the
Eternal Light lasted for eight days.
This remarkable story is
commemorated yearly by eight
nights of lighting a menorah, eating
delicious fried foods such as latkes
(potato pancakes) and sufganiyot
(jelly donuts), and playing dreidel
for chocolate gelt (coins). It’s also a
popular holiday for giving gifts —
including books!
PJ Library subscribers received
free Chanukah-themed books in
their mailboxes this month, and
these books, alongside plenty of

others from PJ Publishing, can
be found on PJ Library’s Amazon
web store (amazon.com/pjlibrary)
or through external book sellers.
Read on for some PJ Library
recommendations that are sure to
delight dreidel-players of any age.


BABY-AGE 2
You’re My Little Latke!
Written by Nicola Edwards,
illustrated by Natalie Marshall,
Printers Row Publishing Group
Chanukah is full of tasty treats
and fun traditions, but the best part

of all is sharing it with your little
ones. From the best-selling You’re
My Little series comes You’re My
Little Latke, a sweet, festive board
book with cut-outs and raised
elements on every page, featuring
everything from yummy latkes to
golden gelt to shining menorahs,
all paired with sweet rhyming text.
($9.99)


Jewish Cats All Year Round
Written and illustrated by Varda
Livney, PJ Publishing
Jewish cats (and their mouse

friends) celebrate Jewish holidays
all year long … and so can Jewish
babies! This cozy board book takes
you through the Jewish calendar
year with adorable art and simple
text. Babies will love seeing their
own faces smiling back from the
mirror at the end! ($9.99, available
on the PJ Library Amazon Web
Store)



AGES 3-5
Antlers with Candles
Written by Chris Barash, illustrated
by Melissa Iwai, PJ Publishing

See suggestions from the PJ Library.

Share the Story of the
Share the Story of the
Festival of Lights

continued on page 35

PJ LIBRARY

CHANUKAH