Jenny and the Hanukkah Queen

Elizabeth Levin is a professor of psychology at Laurentian University.

Christmas is magic and it’s everywhere, so it’s hard not to feel
left out when the holiday celebration is not part of your beliefs. Jenny
and Tema, who are Jewish, go to the Santa Claus parade with their friend
Carol. Although they enjoy the floats and clowns when Santa and Carol
wish each other Merry Christmas, Jenny and Tema feel funny knowing their
families don’t celebrate Christmas. Later Jenny, who loves to draw,
finds herself drawing a picture of Santa. Jenny’s mom allows that, as
a child, she too was excited by Santa. To Jenny’s comment that Santa
doesn’t come down your chimney if you’re Jewish, mom asks who needs
Santa when they have the Hanukkah Queen. While Jenny could remember the
last Hanukkah, try as she might she could not remember a queen. Mom
tells her that the queen is a bit like Santa though more magical and
secret. Jenny begins to imagine what the queen looks like, and although
her drawings are beautiful she can’t get the face right. Hanukkah
arrives, the first night’s presents are opened, and later that evening
Jenny notices the inscription in her favorite new book ... for Jenny
with love from the Hanukkah Queen. The Hanukkah Queen now has a face.
Mom has created the story of the Hanukkah Queen for all children who
yearn for but can’t believe in Santa.

Jenny and the Hanukkah Queen is a beautifully told story. Its warmth
and richness shine through, and the superb illustrations are a perfect
complement to the text. The story has obvious appeal to children who
don’t celebrate Christmas; children who do celebrate will gain a
deeper understanding of what it is like for those who don’t. The story
uses Hanukkah symbolism, but it is important to note that it does not
tell the story of Hanukkah. Highly recommended.