Hanukkah in Alaska, by Barbara Brown and winner of the 2014 Sydney Taylor Book Award, is the story of what Hanukkah is like for a little girl living during a long, cold Alaskan winter. For her, daylight only lasts for five hours each day and she doesn’t have squirrels or rabbits in her backyard, she has a moose! Can she convince the moose to leave her trees and swing alone by sharing a Hanukkah treat? You can listen to Hanukkah in Alaska right now, read aloud by Molly Ephraim. Enjoy Hanukkah storytime online!
Talk!
After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.
- What animals do you think live in Alaska?
- Why do people in Alaska have to look out for moose? What should they do if they come across one?
- There is only five hours of daylight in Alaska in the winter. Would you like it to be dark that much?
- What do they call everywhere else that is not Alaska?
- What does the moose do in the backyard?
- What things does she try to get the moose to leave?
- What holiday is the family celebrating?
- What do they see up in the sky?
Read!
Use your Library Card to check out books about Hanukkah at any of our locations, or check out Hanukkah e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never borrowed from Libby before, Libby directions and a Libby video tutorial are available, as well as OverDrive Support.
Click on the book covers below to listen to more Hanukkah video read aloud stories right now! It’s Hanukkah storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at the Library’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.
Sing!
Join Robert and the Theatre Troupe at the Miami Children’s Museum to learn about Hanukkah traditions, “the festival of lights”, and the dreidel – then sing along with them to celebrate!
Write!
Find some crayons or markers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.
Play!
StoryWalks® promotes literacy, physical activity, and family time outside! Take a walk and read a story as you go! Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Or Skip. Or gallop!
Make a glowing pathway to lead visitors to your Menorah, build a Lego dreidel and play a game with your friends or family, or make this DIY Menorah Craft Using Cardboard.
Join Us for In-Person Storytime!
- Event: Paws to Read at Spades Park
- Date & Time: Saturday, February 21, 10:30am
- Location: Spades Park Branch
- Description: Read to a registered therapy dog who loves to listen to stories! This program is perfect for beginning or reluctant readers ages 6-11 who want to practice their skills and build reading confidence. Sign up for a 15-minute session to get started.
- Register Here
- Event: Harp Music & Stories
- Date & Time: Saturday, February 21, 10:30am
- Location: Nora Branch
- Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions! *This program will have an ASL interpreter.
- Register Here
- Event: Paws to Read at Fort Ben
- Date & Time: Saturday, February 21, 11:00am
- Location: Fort Ben Branch
- Description: Children and reluctant readers are invited to come practice their reading skills with a therapy dog! Drop in to improve reading skills and self-confidence!
- No Registration Required.
8 Nights of Bedtime Stories for Hanukkah
Here are 50+ wonderful Hanukkah stories – so many you can read more than one each night! These selections come from The Sydney Taylor Book Award that recognizes the best Jewish children’s books each year, as well as the PJ Library, the Association of Jewish Libraries, the Jewish Museum, and the Jewish Book Council.
Need Help?
Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.
