Light the Menorah and Settle Down to Read One of These Great Hanukkah Gifts for Kids

Hanukkah is one of my favorite holidays of the Jewish year. Sure, it's not always viewed as religiously significant as other holidays, but there's something so magical about it. Since the whole holiday revolves around spending time with family and a miracle of fire, it feels fun and special to me — and as a parent, I want it to be just as special to my kids. Over the years, I've tried to find ways to help my kids feel connected to Hanukkah in a way that helps them engage with Judaism and the miracle of lights in a meaningful way, which is why I find Hanukkah books for kids so valuable.

Kids who aren't Jewish can benefit from these books, too. After all, raising our kids with accepting, inclusive, diverse books and toys helps them to become accepting and welcoming of all different kinds of people of all other religions. Just like you might recall from your childhood, the books we read to our children become fixed memories. They settle into the nooks and crannies of our children's brains and influence them in subtle ways throughout their lives — which is all the more reason to make those memories count.

Every Hanukkah book for kids on this list is one I've read and loved with my own children. They are wildly beautiful and evocative and are absolutely worthy of a spot on your bookshelf.