A Chanukah Noel
Sharon Jennings, Author
Gillian Newland, Illustrator
Second Story Press, Fiction, 2010
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: Moving to a foreign country, Feeling left out, Chanukah, Christmas, Friendship
Opening: “One day, Daddy came home from work and said, “I have a big surprise. We are going to live in France.” I wasn’t so sure I liked this surprise, but I left home with Mommy and Daddy and sailed all the way across the ocean.
Synopsis: Charlotte and her family move to France. She doesn’t speak the language and is put in a lower grade. She finds that foods in her French village some times taste and smell strange. Many of her classmates are friendly, except Colette. At Christmas the village is beautifully decorated. Charlotte is Jewish and wants to celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas. She’s disappointed when her mother tells her they will celebrate Chanukah. At least, at school she can participate in the festivities of decorating the class and bringing a gift. When Charlotte discovers that Colette is poor and won’t be able to celebrate Christmas either, she sets aside her hurt feelings and comes up with a plan to help her friend and celebrate both holidays.
Why I like this story: Sharon Jennings has written a charming story based on the true story of her friend. Readers never learn the origin of Charlotte’s country, only that she is Jewish and she finds Christmas in France exciting. It is also a story about feeling left out. But, Charlotte shows a lot of compassion and helps a poor classmate enjoy Christmas with her family. I enjoyed the story, but wished there was a little more shown about Charlotte’s Jewish Chanukah tradition. Gillian Newland’s illustrations are rich and capture both the holiday spirit and the feeling of a timeless French village.
Resources: Chanukah or Hanukkah activities for children and teachers can be found at this website.
Children's Books Heal 
I’m a huge Sharon Jennings fan. I have to check this one out!
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It was a delightful book and I really enjoyed the Charlotte’s compassion. I believe this is the first time I’ve read and reviewed a Sharon Jennings book.
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Sounds like a lovely premise! Thanks, Patricia. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping Coleen. It is a a very sweet story based on a true story.
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What a wonderful book. I like the cover a lot. It looks well done (the book and the cover) 🙂
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Yes, I love the illustrations too Erik! The artwork was timeless so it could take place any time. It looked like a quaint French village.
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It sounds like a good book! 🙂
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It is interesting that the author chose to reveal less about Charlotte’s origins etc, but love the idea of this picture book.
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Yes, I enjoyed it too. Turns out that the story was based on a story about Charlotte Teeple who is quite well-known in Canada. I think you’d enjoy the artwork.
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Love it! We’re not Jewish, but we recognize the Jewish roots of Christianity by celebrating Hanukkah in our own way every year. We light the candles, remember the Macabee story and identify the types of Christ found within it, and one night of the eight–whatever one works in our schedule–we make latkes and other fried foods. Yum! It’s a fun and educational tradition with the kids.
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I really think that is so wonderful that you recognize the Jewish roots of Christianity by celebrating Hunukkah with your children every year. Your kids must enjoy helping prepar latkes and other Jewish foods. You are such a great teacher and Mom. We aren’t Jewish, but have a beautiful brass Menorah on our mantel. My house is filled with artwork from various traditions.
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We did our Hanukkah meal tonight. Ugh! Not feeling so well now, lol, but it sure tastes good when it’s going down. 🙂 It is a great teaching night and it helps the kids see we have an awful lot in common with this people group.
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Still cool that you did it with your kids. Send any left overs my way! LOL
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It is amazing how sometimes, when people behave in strange ways, we take it personally; when in fact, there might be a problem of a different nature causing upset. This is such an important lesson ~ not to jump to conclusions.
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Yes, Charlotte misread Colette’s actions. She didn’t realize there was a bit of envy there. Loved the compassion she showed — after all that what we are to do!
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The cover looks charming and the story sounds delightful!
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Yes, the cover caught my eye immediately. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is full of compassion.
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Charming seems to be the word for this one. I don’t know much about Hanukkah, but the story sounds like a good one and I like the cover illustration a lot. I’ll be checking this one out. Thanks!
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Rhythm, it is a very charming book about the compassion of one child towards another.
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Sounds like a very sweet book with some good lessons in compassion. I may try to pick this one up for my son. Thanks for reviewing!
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It has a very good lesson in compassion!
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