Today we have been learning about
Chanukah, Hanukkah
The Jewish Festival of Lights
We have been using resources
From Twinkl to learn about
The festival that lasts eight days
And eight nights
Celebrating The Miracle of the Oil
We read a range of books
That share details of the festival
How it is celebrated and why
We also read one very special book
New this year from Little Tiger
Eight Nights, Eight Lights
Is a brilliant and beautiful book
A celebration of Chanukah
Told across eight nights
With words by Natalie Barnes
And gorgeous illustrations by
Andrea Stegmaier
This is a book that should be
In every home, library and classroom
The book begins with an explanation
Of the chanukiah or menorah
Little readers learn why there are nine candles
And what the shamash candle is for
The servant or helper candle
The story begins with a super excited Max
He is pulling his grandfather by the hand
In a hurry to get home because tonight is his night
His night to light the first candle
Immediately we understand the importance of this act
The excitement about this festival and its rituals
Its traditions
We see Max light the candle with his family
We see the special menorah that means so much
We see Lara and her family through the window
They are singing too
The next day Lara is excited for her turn to light the candle
She is excited too for jammy doughnuts
And for sharing the sweet treats with her neighbours
Through the pages of this book
We meet families of all shapes and sizes
Celebrating in their own special ways
Finding joy in being together
Eating special foods
Playing traditional games
Lighting significant candles
Held in treasured family heirlooms
As the nights pass and more candles glow
We see people baking and making
Giving gifts
Making memories
We learn how much Chanukah matters
How much the festival means to so many
And we learn about special games and foods
Special people and places
Linked to Chanukah
The Festival of Light
We learn a little of the story of Chanukah
Just a taste that made my children want to find out more
We did
We read The Story of Hanukkah
By Malachy Doyle and Christopher Corr
Inspired by our reading today
Of Eight Lights, Eight Nights
We have learned how to play Dreidel
Talked about other festivals of light
Decided to cook latkes and make apple sauce
Listened to Hebrew songs
Learned more about the story of the first Chanukah
Compared Hanukkah to Christmas and Diwali
Talked together about accepting and celebrating differences
This is a brilliant and beautiful book
Sharing a special celebration
And showing us all that
Though we may have different faiths
Though we may celebrate different festivals
We share many of the same values
Togetherness, love, hope
Community and kindness
Family and friendship
Light over darkness
And we enjoy many of the same things
Decorating our homes
Preparing for and welcoming guests
Joining together in song and prayer
Feasting together
Giving and receiving gifts
Lighting candles
We have loved reading this special book
And will look forward to reading it
At Chanukah time each year
Chanukah, the Festival of Light,
Starts this Sunday
We want to wish a Happy Hanukkah
To everyone celebrating
We have loved learning about
This beautiful festival
And some of your wonderful traditions
Thank you
Natalie Barnes, Andrea Stegmaier and Little Tiger Books