Eight Lights for Eight Nights: A Hanukkah Story and Activity Book (Let's Celebrate Series) by Debbie Herman, Ann D. Koffsky (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Here is a wonderful, beautifully illustrated book to help inspire Jewish children in celebration of Hanukkah, the festival of lights, while also telling boys and girls of all faiths the fascinating story and traditions connected with this festive holiday. The book’s first part tells the story, taken from The Book of Maccabees and other historical sources, of how Antiochus of Syria invaded the land of Judea and forbade the Jews to perform their religious rites, which included lighting the menorah. The story goes on to tell how the Syrians were ultimately defeated and driven away by the Maccabees, and how the Temple of Jerusalem was restored and its menorah lighted and miraculously kept burning. This book’s remaining pages describe the joyful Hanukkah rituals meant to commemorate the miracle of the menorah. Children read about the special foods for Hanukkah, learn to light Hanukkah candles, make lots of fun, innovative crafts, play dreidel with chocolate Gelt, and generally celebrate this joyous holiday. Includes sidebars with cool facts! (Ages 6–9)

Publishers Weekly

In the Let's Celebrate series, Eight Lights for Eight Nights: A Hanukkah Story and Activity Book by Debbie Herman, illus. by Ann Koffsky, retells the story of Hanukkah and offers illustrated instructions for making menorahs, dreidels, latkes, holiday cards and more. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-The activities, stories, recipes, crafts, and nuggets of information make this an appealing and useful volume. The story of Hanukkah is related in a breezy, modern voice, illustrated with simple, childlike pictures, and is punctuated by a variety of "fun facts" (in 1997 astronaut David Wolf celebrated Hanukkah in outer space and his dreidel spun for an hour and a half). Most of the projects use materials found around the house, though a few will require a visit to a crafts store, and adult supervision is called for when appropriate. No music is included with the songs. Many of the activities work for group settings.-M. A. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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