'Goodnight Bubbala' and other Chanukah-themed children's books for the holiday season

BOSTON (JTA) — As a child, Sheryl Haft was captivated by the sounds of her grandparents speaking Yiddish.

Sing-songy terms of endearment like “bubbala” and “mamleh shayne” sparked joy when her grandmother used them. Grittier words like “shmendrick” and “kvetch” tickled her funny bone.

Now Haft has captured that passion in a new children’s book that puts a delightful Yiddish spin on “Goodnight Moon,” the beloved bedtime classic by Margaret Wise Brown.

“Goodnight Bubbala: A Joyful Parody” is set during Chanukah. With bright and lively illustrations by Jill Weber, the lovingly zany story glows wi...