Counting down to the Festival of Lights

For children, the days leading up to Chanukah are always filled with anticipation. Here is a small children’s bedtime book that teaches little ones about Chanukah during the 10 days before the holiday.

“Dreaming of Hanukkah,” by Amy Shoenthal and illustrated by Kate Durkin, tells the story of Chanukah as children count down from 10 to 1 and discover the traditions and customs of the holiday — from Maccabee soldiers to crispy latkes to blessings over the hanukkiah.

Amy Shoenthal is a Jewish American author and journalist whose specialty is writing stories of small business owners and entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact in their communities. However, she believes that the best stories are the imaginative ones told by her four-year-old daughter before bedtime.

Kate Durkin, who hails from Sunnyside, Queens, has three children. She is an artist and illustrator who draws inspiration from nature and food for her whimsical illustrations, paintings and murals for children.

“Dreaming of Hanukkah,” published by Arcadia Children’s Books, is available at amazon.com and arcadiapublishing.com.