The message shows the history of how Hanukkah started in the old days and why it is celebrated today. The book could be used in third to fifth grade in a history lesson and why it is celebrated every year by Jewish people.

Early grades; emphasizes the historical story

David A. Adler’s A Picture Book of Hanukkah tells the story behind the holiday in almost all its gory detail. It is a surprisingly accurate retelling of the events, including covering the fact that thousands of people were killed before and during the Maccabeen war. I found that intriguing for a book written for 2-4 graders. The drawings (in sepia tones by Linda Heller) fill more than half of the 32 pages. Most of the book is about the history lesson, while the last three briefly mentions candles, latkes, dreidel and gelt.