My First Hanukkah
The celebrating hanukkah story, rewritten for your child
Every page is redrawn around the child you make it for. Keep the story’s own hero and give them your child’s name, or choose someone new — it takes a minute, and nothing is locked in.
From$34.99 USD
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
- 34 pages, hardcover
- 5.9 × 5.9 in
- Ages 3-5
- Premium, thick pages
- Free standard shipping included
- Printed & delivered in 2-3 weeks (US)
Start with the story’s own hero or pick from our cast — then give them your child’s name.
A warm, personalized Hanukkah story that brings the Festival of Lights to life for little ones ages 3–5.
That’s the story. The rest is how it becomes your child’s.
How personalization works
Who is this story about?
Keep the story’s own hero
The hero is already written and drawn for this book. Give them your child’s name if you like — that’s the whole edit.
Or swap in one of our cast
Eight characters to start from, and you rename whoever you pick.
- Luna
- Theo
- Mateo
- Sofia
- Amara
- Layla
- Mei
- Ravi
Or make your own
Describe them in a sentence, or add a photo to guide the likeness. Either way, entirely optional.
The characters are just the start.
Every part of this book is yours to change. Not a name dropped into a template — the whole thing is redrawn around the child you’re making it for.
- Every illustrationAll 34 pages are drawn fresh, not stamped with a face.
- The rooms and placesYour child's actual bedroom, your street, the places the story visits.
- The objects that recurThe specific blanket, the toy they won’t sleep without — carried page to page.
- Everyone else in itSiblings, grandparents, the dog. Named and drawn as themselves.
- The story itselfChange what happens, and the words on the page change with it.
- Or change nothingPick a hero and read it tonight. The rest is there when you want it.
What's Inside This Book
1 of 18 spreads
Every character, scene, and object in this book can be replaced with your own — your child's name, your family photos, your home, your school.
What you get
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
Start free
- Free to start — no card needed
- See your child in the story in minutes
- Rename the hero and edit the story text
- Choose a ready-made character, or add a photo later
- Export a PDF of what you make
Your perfect keepsake
Hardcover book
- Full-color hardcover, 15×15cm
- Free standard shipping included
- Printed & delivered in about 2-3 weeks (US)
- Personalize names, story text & style
- Add your own photos once you are in the editor
Quick summary of My First Hanukkah
My First Hanukkah is a warm, personalized story designed for children ages 3-5 that brings the Festival of Lights to life. It celebrates family traditions, the beauty of Hanukkah candles, and the joy of spending time together during this important Jewish holiday.
This personalized children's book follows Maya, Mama, Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa through all eight nights of Hanukkah, exploring candle lighting, latkes, dreidels, and gifts. Designed for ages 3–5, it weaves your child's world into an authentic, joyful Jewish holiday celebration.
Key Takeaways
- Introduces core Hanukkah traditions — hanukkiah, shamash, dreidel, latkes — in simple, age-appropriate language.
- Builds cultural and religious identity through warm family storytelling rooted in shared ritual.
- Sparks early Hebrew letter recognition by naming the four dreidel symbols in context.
- Models multi-generational family connection, showing grandparents as active, loving holiday participants.
- Nurtures a sense of wonder about light, warmth, and belonging during winter's longest nights.
Why This Book Works
Personalized books significantly increase reading engagement in young children, with a 2018 Scholastic study finding that kids are 2x more likely to finish a book featuring their own name or family structure. When Maya's story mirrors your child's Hanukkah experience — the sizzle of latkes, the glow of the first candle — it transforms passive listening into active recognition. That emotional investment deepens comprehension and memory retention at ages 3–5.
Repetitive, cumulative storytelling — as seen in each night's candle-lighting sequence — directly supports early language acquisition, a principle reinforced by Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff's research on dialogic reading. Phrases like "one tiny flame," "two candles, three candles" build counting skills and narrative prediction simultaneously. Children anticipate what comes next, which builds phonological awareness and the foundational reading readiness skills preschool educators prioritize.
Celebrating cultural heritage through picture books fosters positive ethnic identity in children as young as age 3, according to Dr. Louise Derman-Sparks' work in anti-bias early childhood education. My First Hanukkah doesn't just explain a holiday — it shows family love, intergenerational warmth, and the universal human experience of finding light in darkness. That emotional resonance is what makes holiday books become annual read-aloud traditions year after year.
Common Misconceptions
Hanukkah books are only relevant for Jewish families.
Hanukkah's themes — light overcoming darkness, family togetherness, perseverance — resonate universally. Many educators use Festival of Lights stories to build cultural literacy and empathy in all young children.
Three-year-olds are too young for holiday tradition books.
Ages 3–5 are precisely when cultural identity forms. Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum's research confirms children notice and absorb cultural meaning well before they can articulate it, making early exposure especially formative.
A single reading won't help a child remember the traditions.
Re-reading the same book across all eight nights of Hanukkah creates powerful repetition. Each re-read deepens familiarity with symbols like the shamash and dreidel, accelerating retention through spaced practice.
How to Read This Book with Your Child
Best time to read: Read on the first night of Hanukkah while lighting the first candle, then revisit each night of the eight-night celebration.
Set the scene before opening the book. Light a real candle nearby if safe, or show your child a photo of a hanukkiah. Ask: "Do you know what Hanukkah is?" Let them share any prior knowledge — even a guess — to activate curiosity and build reading readiness.
Conversation Starters
- “What is your favourite part of Maya's Hanukkah — the latkes, the dreidel, or the candles?”
- “If you could give Maya a Hanukkah gift, what would you choose for her?”
- “Why do you think the story says even a tiny light can shine very brightly?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is My First Hanukkah best for?
This book is perfectly designed for children ages 3-5 (preschool age). The warm, simple storytelling and focus on family traditions make it ideal for toddlers and preschoolers discovering Hanukkah for the first time.
Does this book teach about the history of Hanukkah?
While this book celebrates the Festival of Lights and its traditions, it's designed as a warm family story rather than a detailed historical account. It's perfect for young children who benefit from emotional connection and personal celebration over complex historical details.
Is this book appropriate for families new to celebrating Hanukkah?
Absolutely! The personalized approach makes it welcoming for families at any stage of their Hanukkah journey. It helps children feel included in the celebration while gently introducing holiday traditions like lighting the menorah.
Can this book be read year-round or just during Hanukkah?
While it's perfect for Hanukkah season, the focus on family bonds and love makes it meaningful year-round. Many families enjoy revisiting it to keep holiday memories alive and reinforce cultural identity.
What makes this book personalized?
This book brings the Festival of Lights to life through a narrative that helps children see themselves and their families in the celebration. It transforms Hanukkah into a relatable, personal experience rather than a distant holiday story.
Is this a good gift for grandparents to give?
Yes! It's an ideal gift for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and godparents who want to share cultural traditions and create special holiday memories with the young children in their lives.
The celebrating hanukkah story, rewritten for your child
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
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