The best picture books about celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah

Why am I passionate about this?

I was inspired to write Eight Candles and a Tree after I couldn’t find a picture book about a child who celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah to read to my granddaughter. I had extensive professional experience as a writer and children’s television producer, and I decided to write a book that would resonate with children who celebrate both holidays. I have been pleasantly surprised by the book's consistent sales over the past eight years, and am happy to see that there are now more books on this issue.


I wrote...

Eight Candles and a Tree

By Simone Nathan,

Book cover of Eight Candles and a Tree

What is my book about?

I wrote Eight Candles and a Tree, a children’s picture book about Sophie, who introduces her blend of Hanukkah and Christmas traditions to her friend Tommy. The book highlights what the holidays have in common—family, food, lights, songs, and presents.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Latkes for Santa Claus

Simone Nathan Why did I love this book?

Anna sends an email to Santa explaining that while her stepbrother celebrates Christmas, she will have a surprise treat for Santa instead of cookies. Anna considers many options before deciding on latkes to accompany Michael’s plate of cookies.

The book shows how Anna chooses to put her own spin on her new blended family’s traditions. Includes recipes for latkes and sugar cookies.

By Janie Emaus,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Latkes for Santa Claus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

To: Santa From: Anna My new dad and stepbrother celebrate Christmas, so you're coming to my house for the very first time. And I think you must be REALLY tired of cookies. I'm going to leave you the best Santa treat ever. Anna is excited that Santa will be visiting her house for the first time, and she wants to leave Santa a treat that blend


Book cover of My Two Holidays: A Hanukkah and Christmas Story

Simone Nathan Why did I love this book?

At school Sam feels different from his classmates because he celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, but after talking it through with his mom, he realizes that he’s excited to be able to observe two holidays instead of one.

The book addresses a child’s feeling of being different because his parents have different religious backgrounds.

By Danielle Novack, Phyllis Harris (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked My Two Holidays as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

When Sam's classmates take turns talking about which holiday they celebrate, Sam becomes very nervous. Some people celebrate Christmas and some people celebrate Hanukkah. But Sam celebrates both!
Written by a clinical psychologist, MY TWO HOLIDAYS offers comforting explanations that shine a light on how special it can be to celebrate two treasured holidays instead of one!


Book cover of Nonna's Hanukkah Surprise

Simone Nathan Why did I love this book?

When Rachel visits her father’s family who celebrates Christmas, she brings along her menorah to share Hanukkah with them too. But when she realizes she forgot the menorah on the plane, her Nonna makes her a very special menorah.

The book shows how a loving grandmother and extended family welcome and encourage two holiday traditions.

By Karen Fisman, Martha Graciela Avilés (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Nonna's Hanukkah Surprise as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

Rachel loves visiting her Italian grandmother, even though Nonna celebrates Christmas and Rachel and her parents celebrate Hanukkah. Rachel plans to share Hanukkah with her whole family, so when Rachel's special hanukkiah goes missing, Nonna steps in to save the day.


Book cover of Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama

Simone Nathan Why did I love this book?

Vibrantly illustrated descriptions of how Sadie and her family celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah. They sing "Silent Night" and “I have a little dreidel,” and the father shows how to make latkes and a special kugel dressing for the turkey. The family’s two holiday traditions are highlighted with eye-catching illustrations.

The illustrations are bright and cheery and the family’s traditions are succinctly described. Includes a recipe for cranberry kugel.

By Selina Alko,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A perfect gift for the holiday season, no matter what you celebrate!

I am a mix of two traditions.
From Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama.
How lucky am I?

Holiday time at Sadie's house means golden gelt sparkling under the Christmas tree, candy canes hanging on eight menorah branches, voices uniting to sing carols about Macabees and the manger, and latkes on the mantel awaiting Santa's arrival.

Selina Alko's joyous celebration of blended families will make the perfect holiday gift for the many Americans who celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah.


Book cover of Light The Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah And Christmas

Simone Nathan Why did I love this book?

Set in New York City, Emma’s family celebrates Hanukkah and Christmas, and the book describes their distinctive family traditions. For Hanukkah, they spin the dreidels, light the menorah and make crisp latkes, and at Christmas time they light the lights on the Christmas tree and enjoy making sugar cookies.

It gives specific details of the ways in which this family celebrates their December holidays.

By Margaret Moorman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Light The Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah And Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Emma's parents come from different cultural backgrounds, so every year they celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. During Hanukkah, the family enjoys playing dreidel games, making crispy latkes to eat, and lighting the candles of a menorah each night of the holiday. Then Christmas comes. With her parents and friends, Emma has a joy-filled time making sugar cookies, singing Christmas carols, and lighting the lights on the beautiful tree. This delightful story shows how one family keeps the traditions of both holidays, as they light the lights for Hanukkah and Christmas.


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Return to Hope Creek

By Alyssa J. Montgomery,

Book cover of Return to Hope Creek

Alyssa J. Montgomery Author Of A Spanish Seduction

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m an Australian USA Today bestselling romance author who writes contemporary romance and uses the pen name Alyssa James to write medieval romance. I think the makeover trope resonates with me because although I’m no beauty queen now, I was definitely an ugly duckling in my teens. For reasons best known to him, my father insisted on close-cropped hair, and financial circumstances dictated out-of-style hand-me-down clothing. After university, I found my own style, but it wasn’t until I was accepted as an international flight attendant that I believed that I couldn’t be all that ugly if Qantas employed me!

Alyssa's book list on makeover romances

What is my book about?

Return to Hope Creek is a second-chance rural romance set in Australia.

Stella Simpson's career and engagement are over. She returns to the rural community of Hope Creek to heal, unaware her high school and college sweetheart, Mitchell Scott, has also moved back to town to do some healing of his own.

Mitchell, a former NFL quarterback, doesn't need the complication of encountering Stella again so long after the messy end to their relationship, but as each tries to build a new life, they are drawn together and find their chemistry is just as strong as ever.

Will their love…

Return to Hope Creek

By Alyssa J. Montgomery,

What is this book about?

When two old flames come back to their home town, sparks are bound to ignite. A rural romance from USA Today bestselling author Alyssa J. Montgomery.


A horrific car accident ended former world number-one Stella Simpson’s tennis career, and a betrayal ended her relationship with her fiancé/coach. When a family friend offers to sell her half of a property in the rural community where she grew up, it seems like the perfect place to escape, heal and begin the next phase of her life. Until she discovers that the man who broke her heart ten years ago has bought the…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Hanukkah, Christmas, and cookies?

11,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Hanukkah, Christmas, and cookies.

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