The Chanukkah Guest

I teach in a small, church-owned preschool where we "do" all the holidays, including Eid and Hanukkah. This book is great for introducing the holiday's various traditions, including dreidl and latkes. Plus it makes a terrific class play, because there are enough parts for everyone. The story is very funny, where an old Babushka who can't see well any longer (and probably can't smell well, either!)mistakes a bear for the rabbi, and invites him into her home for dreidl and latkes. Not being able to hear well, either, she mistakes his growls for the words, and when he leaves, she gives him the scarf she has made for the rabbi. Soon the whole town, including the real rabbi, come to wish her Happy Hanukkah, and she finds out her mistake. Using an old fur coat, I have my preschool children act out the story, with the "bear" in real fur. The children learn the concepts of this holiday's traditions easily, and remember them.

The Chanukkah Guest was a great story that is both fictional but informational. This story teaches you about some of the Chanukkah traditions and other things that happen around that time of the year. From the preperations of the Chanukkah meal, to the games that are played. This is a good story to help kids understand a little bit about what is going on in real life.In this story, old Bubba Brayna is gettin ready for a big Chanukkah celebration with all of her family and friends, but also her most important guest, the Rabbi. As Bubba Brayna is preparing her famous potato latkes, she hears a knock at the door. It is a Old Bear. Bubba Brayna has bad eye sight and bad ears, so she mistakes Old Bear for the Rabbi. You have to read this story and find out all of the humerous events that happen do poor, old, Bubba Bryana...

In this classic tale of mistaken identies, old Bubba Brayna is busy in her kitchen making latkes for Chanukkah. Her little house is on the edge of the village and it is deep winter. Though she is very, very old and almost blind and deaf, Bubba Brayna still can make the very best latkes in the entire village!! Tonight is a doubly-special night as it is both the first nite of Chanukkah and the village Rabbi is coming over!!Well, there is a thump at the door of course, and in comes the Rabbi in his thick, winter coat. He sits down, eats plate after plate after plate of the latkes (still wearing his coat, for some reason) and when he's devoured them all, he gives Bubba Brayna a huge, messy kiss!! As she's washing up, the village comes to her house to wish her a happy Chanukkah!! Even the Rabbi comes!! They soon discover that old Bubba Brayna has served all her latkes to a BEAR!!Kimmel's book is beautifully written and delightfully illustrated by Carmi. The story is easy to read and very amusing when we, the readers, realize what Bubba Brayna doesn't: she's feeding a bear Chanukkah latkes!! The arrival of the Rabbi, who's coat, beard and hat are the exact same shade as Old Bear's fur is sure to delight children of all ages.In a world where the commercial aspects of Christmas often overshadow the other holidays, "The Chanukkah Guest" is a welcome addition to anyone's library. It comes highly recommended.

Looking for a Channukah tale? This one surely will not fail. My kids love the Hannukah Guest. In my book it is the BEST!

This is a funny, cute Chanukah story for young kids, which their parents will also get a kick out of. (I did!)