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