Hannukah books for 1.5yo and 3.5yo

[BabyBearsMom]

We are the only family at the girls' school that celebrates Hanukah. DD1's teacher asked if I would like to come in and talk about Hanukah to the class. We aren't religious but I like the idea of the girls getting to share their heritage with their class mates. I'm thinking come in, read a book about hanukah, pass out dreidals (gelt or latkes are a no-go due to policies about no outside food) and maybe bring in the menorah for the kids to see. Does anyone have a must read book on hanukah for kids? I was thinking for DD1's class of doing How Do Dinosaurs say Happy Hanukah but not sure for DD2's class. I have the Sesame Street Count's Hanukah Countdown but I don't think that is great. Any suggestions?

[Snow mom]

I was going to suggest the Dino one. We have Coururoy's Hannukah and a book called Spin the Dreidel. I can't find the Corduroy book right now to check my memory but I think it's mainly a story that illustrates some of the cultural traditions. The dreidel book is just about how the dreidel game works but on the last page there is a blurb on the significance of Hannukah. I'd say the blurb is a bit much for even 3.5 yo to understand but it does add some info.

[JustMe]

How about Biscuit's Hanukkah?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0060094699/ref=asc_df_00600946992817101?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-1583-86-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395097&creativeASIN=0060094699

[YouAreTheFocus]

We have Biscuit's Hannukah, Happy Hanukkah Corduroy, and Where Is Baby's Dreidel? I'd recommend all of these for your DD2. My DS is newly 4, and these are all to short/simple for us at this point.

[citymama]

We like Hanukkah lights for the 2-4 set.

Where is baby's dreidel would probably be perfect for your little one.

[candaceb]

DS is also the token Jew and I was talking to his nursery school teacher yesterday about doing something for Hanukkah. We have a whole pile of books thanks to PJ Library (if you haven't signed up for it, you should!). We just got a new one called "Papa's Latkes" that we have enjoyed. Last year, they sent "Chanukah Lights Everywhere", which is what I think I am going to read to DS's class.

Any ideas on what to tell the kids besides reading a book? I am planning on bringing our toy wooden menorah.

[TwoBees]

oooh, we just received Papa's Latkes too! Haven't read it yet.

Two of DD's favorites are I Have a Little Dreidel (http://www.amazon.com/Have-Little-Dreidel-Maxie-Baum/dp/0439649978/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384353732&sr=1-1&keywords=i+have+a+little+dreidel) and How to Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah (http://www.amazon.com/How-Dinosaurs-Say-Happy-Chanukah/dp/0545416779/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384353676&sr=1-1&keywords=dinosaur+chanukah)? Neither of them tell the Chanukah story though. You could always show the claymation movie (the title is totally escaping me now) or one of the Shalom Sesame videos.

Here's some Chanukah info from aish.com

http://www.aish.com/h/c/

[vonfirmath]

My husband still remembers making his own dreidel in Kindergarten and getting to play the game.

[BabyBearsMom]

DS is also the token Jew and I was talking to his nursery school teacher yesterday about doing something for Hanukkah. We have a whole pile of books thanks to PJ Library (if you haven't signed up for it, you should!). We just got a new one called "Papa's Latkes" that we have enjoyed. Last year, they sent "Chanukah Lights Everywhere", which is what I think I am going to read to DS's class.

Any ideas on what to tell the kids besides reading a book? I am planning on bringing our toy wooden menorah.

I haven't figured out what to say yet either. I am not religious, so I really need to refresh on the Hanukah story and come up with a child appropriate way to talk about it. I want DD1 to be proud of her heritage though and I want her to be able to share something special with her classmates.

[mikeys_mom]

We have the DK Books " My First Hanukkah Board Book". I feel like this book gives a very good basic description for young kids as to what the holiday is all about and why we light the menorah. Most of the other books we have are nice stories about hanukkah miracles or just funny stories about latkes and dreidels. I like that this one talks about the destruction of the temple, the war that was fought by the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil in very basic terms.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Hanukkah-Board-Book-Books/dp/0756611059

If you are open to bringing in a cute video, my kids love these. The first one is more about the actual story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSJCSR4MuhU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHwyTxxQHmQ


Another thing to talk about for the little kids is the reason for playing dreidel. This is usually the first thing that my kids have been taught in their Jewish preschool classes, probably because it is more relatable to them. The Greeks were trying to convert all Jews and didn't allow them any religious freedom. It was basically a cover for kids who were studying the Torah and Jewish texts.

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/255909/jewish/The-Chanukah-Top.htm

HTH.