The Story of Hanukkah - by David A Adler

About the Book

In a simple yet dramatic text and vibrant paintings, the story of the courageous Maccabees and the miracle that took place in the Temple in Jerusalem is retold. A recipe for latkes and directions for playing dreidel are included.

Book Synopsis

Hanukkah is a wonderful time filled with games, food, family, and fun.

It's also the celebration of an ancient miracle, and retelling and remembering the story of that miracle is an essential part of the holiday, for young and old. The story of the courageous Maccabees is retold in simple yet dramatic text, accompanied by vibrant paintings of the battle, the Temple of Jersualem, and the oil which miraculously burned for eight long nights.

A traditional recipe for latkes is included, as are directions for the dreidel game, for readers who want to continue the festivities at home.

Review Quotes

"An excellent introduction to the holiday."--Kirkus Reviews

"The simple, accessible text is enhanced by acrylic spreads in rich, warm colors that bring both solemnity and excitement to the story. With so much holiday hoopla focusing on less historical, more celebratory aspects of Hanukkah, it is good to have a book that tells it like it was."--School Library Journal

"The events commemorated in the holiday of Hanukkah are retold simply for young ears by prolific children's author Adler . . . Weber's full-spread color illustrations, with an emphasis on traditional holiday blue, convey the epic scope of the story . . . [a] family-oriented book designed to impart traditions."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

David A. Adler has won many awards, including a Sydney Taylor Book Award, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor, the New York Knickerbocker Award, a Golden Kite Honor, and an Orbis Pictus Award Honor. You can visit his website at www.davidaadler.com.

Jill Weber is a children's book illustrator and a book designer. Her paintings for Eric A. Kimmel's retelling of Even Higher were praised by Kirkus Reviews for their "guileless charm," and the book received an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award. She lives in New Hampshire.