Books and reading with a child are two of the finest gifts we can give.  As we approach the beginning of Hanukkah, I wanted to share with you a sampling of some of my favorite Hanukkah books—titles you’ll want to have around the house or gift to a friend or relative.

Here are seven of my favorite holiday stories for toddlers and preschoolers:

Tots and 2s:

Where is Baby’s Dreidel? by Karen Katz

Children can lift the flaps to find Hanukkah symbols in this hide-and-seek story.

Where’s My Dreidel? by Betty Schwartz

Max searches his home as his family prepares for Hanukkah. By story’s end, everyone—including Max—has what he needs to enjoy Hanukkah dinner.

My First Hanukkah Board Book by DK Publishing

This book contains a wealth of information about the holiday, plus activities like counting and identifying shapes.

3s, 4s and 5s:

The Golem’s Latkes by Eric A. Kimmel

On the first night of Hanukkah, the golem helps make latkes at Rabbi Judah’s house, but no one remembers to tell him “enough!”

Sammy Spider’s First Hanukkah by Sylvia Rouss

Sammy Spider longs to spin a dreidel instead of a web.

The Runaway Latkes by Leslie Kimmelman

As Rebecca prepares for a Hanukkah party at the synagogue, three latkes jump right out of her frying pan, and the chase is on.

4s and 5s:

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel

This Caldecott award-winner is one of my all-time favorites. It’s the story of a village being tormented by a band of goblins who hate Hanukkah. (It could be a little frightening to some children at first, though.)

For more titles like these, stop by the OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool Book Fair. This year, it coincides beautifully with Hanukkah. I am looking forward to celebrating Hanukkah and children’s literature both!