The Kvetch Who Stole Hanukkah
Bill Berlin and Susan Isakoff Berlin, authors
Peter J. Welling, illustrator
Pelican Publishing Company, Fiction, Sept. 2010
Suitable for: Ages 5-8
Themes: Hanukkah, Jewish Fiction, Rhyme
Opening: In the town of Oyville, in a land far away, the children prepared for each holiday. They read about Passover and the Red Sea parting. They learned of Rosh Hashanah and the New Year starting. But the holiday that tickled every Vicki, Max and Monica, was the Festival of Lights in the season of Hanukkah. They liked the presents, the food, and the cheer; They liked the night when the family drew near. They picture Judah Maccabee, his bravery and toil. They imagined the Temple, it lights needing oil. When the menorah shone bright, its message was clear: “A great miracle happened here.” Not everyone in Oyville liked the celebration of Hanukkah. Every year the town Kvetch (someone who is gloomy and complains) hated the holiday even more. The Kvetch steals all the menorahs on the first night of Hanukkah until three children teach him the true meaning of the festival of lights.
Why I like this book: Although it is reminiscent of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, this really is a book that both Jewish and non-Jewish children will enjoy. Written in verse, it is filled with clever Yiddish terms like latkes, dreidels, gelt and the kvetch. The book is simple and Welling’s illustrations are colorful and quirky. And it carries a profound universal message. There are many Hanukkah books in print, but I found this one a lot of fun! Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 20 and ends December 28.
Activity: Visit http://www.lookstein.org/resources/chanukah_activities.htm and http://abcteach.com/directory/seasonalholidays/hanukkah/ for activities and resources. For more books with resources please visit Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
You are in good company, Anastasia Suen blogged about this book today. Sounds like a fun way to learn more about Hanukkah and some Jewish culture. I love the inclusion of Yiddish words and have always loved the sound of the word ‘Kvetch’!
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Thanks Joanna. The book is fun, but also teaches about Hanukkah and the Jewish culture. Very close to Dr Seuss.
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This sounds like an excellent book both for Jewish kids and non-Jewish kids. Thanks for sharing, Pat!
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Thanks, Beth. It’s a fun book for all kids!
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I’m so glad someone selected a Hanukkah book, and this one looks really fun. (I have another on my list, maybe for next week, but I’m having trouble finding it!) What a great way for Jewish children to celebrate, and for non-Jewish children to learn something about another faith’s celebration. Thanks for sharing!
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Susanna, I’m glad you liked the selection. I liked the book, but checked some reviews from Jewish families to see how it was received. Some commented on the fact that Christian kids had the Grinch, Rudolph, Twas’ the Night Before Christmas and many fun books written about their tradition. Now, they had a fun book to share with their kids about their tradition.
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What an interesting book. Sounds like fun and I’m glad it’s something that all kids can enjoy. 🙂
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Thanks Leigh! I wanted to add a balance to the holidays.
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I love the idea that the children teach him about the true meaning of the festival of lights. Sounds fun and educational for my family.
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Stacy, Glad you liked the review. It is a quirky, fun book with a meaningful message.
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The title alone totally hooked me! This looks like a great fun story with both entertainment value and a lesson to be learned. That’s the best kind of book!
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Tracy, thank you. I am glad the title hooked you. Read some comments from Jewish parents who said that Christiank kids had Rudolph, the Grinch, Prancer and so on, but there were no fun stories with a message for their tradition. Think they enjoyed the book as much as their kids. Thanks for stopping.
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I wish that this book was around when my children were young enough to appreciate it. I like the substitution of “Kvetch” for Grinch. It’s nice to have more choices, so that children will join in the spirit of the holidays!
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Julie, I’m happy you enjoyed the book. I found it quite fun, and I learned a lot too. It is nice to have more choices. I found that the book was a good read for all children.
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Sounds like a fun book to learn about Christmas in another culture, something we know little about. Great that kids get this choice. Thanks so much for sharing Pat.
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Diane, it is a fun book and gives Jewish kids a fun story about their tradition. Am glad you enjoyed the review.
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Ditto what Diane said. Love it!
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Thanks Catherine, I’m glad you enjoyed the book.
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I wonder if we have this in my school library! I am going to suggest it if we don’t 🙂
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Glad you lied my selection Erik. It is a fun book!
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