Hanukkah Bear

I purchased this book to use in a "Holidays Around the World" unit with my kindergarteners. I was disappointed with the lack of choices for teaching young children about Hanukkah, so I was excited when I came across this book! It is a cute story and does introduce many of the primary components surrounding Hanukkah, but it is very text-heavy for kindergarteners, especially when you are stopping to explain concepts along the way. It took us several sittings to get through the book and my students weren't super engaged, but it was a cute story!

I bought this for my 4 year old little girl who is learning her heritage! Very cute book!

The silliness of the nearly blind and deaf Bubba Brayna thinking that a bear is the town Rabbi is really cute. It covers some of the Hanukkah traditions with a sense of fun and even includes a recipe.

I really didn’t love this book. I was surprised that there was even a suggestive moment that was not appropriate for a book geared to young children. (The bear licks the old woman’s face and she says something like “Rabbi, at my age?”) Although it seems that the options for chanukah books are slim, I’d look for a different one.

This book is just holiday perfection. It has such a lovely story and allows children to predict what happens next. Every character in the book is lovable and charming. Best Hanukah book I've ever read.

Not for younger children. My daughter is 3 and she was done with the page after 2 sentences. But she will get older and the story line is cute.

This is one of those books that kids love because there is a bit of a joke at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it to my 2 and 4 year old grandchildren. Hearing their laughter is golden.

I read this book to my children and now my grandchildren . Delightful !

I'm struggling to find a good hanukkah book to teach my 5-year-old about the holiday. This one got good reviews so I gave it a shot. The story is okay, but I find it a bit farfetched and ridiculous. Basically, this old lady mistakes a bear for her rabbi and spends a significant amount of time with the bear without noticing. But somehow her eyesight is good enough to notice jam on the bear's face, which doesn't make any sense. Then the real rabbi comes and she makes more latkes for everyone. The end. That's the whole story. There is nothing about hanukkah except for the fact that latkes are the things that are eaten. I didn't find it educational or entertaining. My kid likes it, but it definitely isn't a favourite. I am still on the search for a hanukkah book that tells something about the holiday in a succinct, playful manner suitable for a young child.

I read this to my class and they loved it! A lovely heart-warming story which introduces Hannukah at a simple level for my young pupils.

Lovely story with good illustrations

Superb illustrations

Daughter loved this! Super fun to read with jovial, humorous tone. Highly recommend!