The Chanukkah Guest

by Eric A. Kimmel, Giora Carmi (Illustrator)

Although Bubba Brayna is almost blind and deaf, she makes the best potato latkes in the village. On the first night of Chanukkah, she cooks a special batch for the rabbi, who is coming to visit her. When she hears a thumping at the door, she lets in her guest. Only later does she realize she has served a bear her delicious latkes. Full-color illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Holiday, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is hilarious. An elderly woman can't hear or see very well anymore, but she makes the best latkes in the village. A bear wakes from hibernation and follows the scent. He enters the home, and the elderly woman mistakes him for the rabbi she was expecting for dinner. So many mistakes - the elderly woman tries to take the bear's coat "My rabbi, your coat is so thick! It must be very cold outside". The bear says "ggrrrr" and the woman answers "how nice of you to say that! They taste even better than they smell". After being treated as a special guest to a game of dreidel and all the latkes he could eat, he licks the woman's face. "Oh rabbi, at my age!". Lots of great growling bear sounds and a fantastic read aloud.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When his hibernation is interrupted by a deliciously enticing smell, a bear leaves his cave and heads to the home of Bubba Brayna, the best latke-maker in the village. This elderly lady, almost blind and deaf, welcomes the bear into her home, thinking he is the rabbi come to visit, and the two have a pleasant time together. When the mixup is discovered afterward, neither regrets their unusual holiday adventure...

Originally published in 1988 as The Chanukkah Guest, with artwork by Giora Carmi, who also illustrated Eric A. Kimmel's The Chanukkah Tree , The Old Woman and Her Pig and The Greatest of All: A Japanese Folktale , this story was republished in 2013 as Hanukkah Bear , with new illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka. I have that later version on request at my library, but in the meantime I enjoyed this original edition, which combines a humorous heartwarming holiday tale with expressive illustrations. Children will enjoy being "in the know," when it comes to Bubba Brayna's visitor, and will appreciate the happy ending for all. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Hanukkah stories.

[Rebecca Crunden]

Read this as a kid, definitely need to give it a reread! 🖤

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny book about an elderly woman preparing for a Hanukkah visit from the Rabbi. As she makes the latkes, there's a knock at the door. Instead of the rabbi, it's a bear who woke early from hibernation very hungry and was drawn to her house by the delicious smell of the latkes. Because her vision and hearing are not so good, she thinks the bear is the rabbi and proceeds to treat him as an honored guest, despite his many social gaffes. Logan loved the part where she tries to take his "coat," and where the bear licks her face and the woman blushes and says, "Oh rabbi, at my age!" Great read-aloud and a beautiful example of the forgiving nature of our friends even when we don't act quite ourselves.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hannukah guest is a charming tale of an old woman who is preparing for Haunukkah. She is a great cook and everyone loves her latkes. Just as finishes cooking latkes toshare with the rabbi and her neighbors there is a knock on the door. Because she can no longer see and her very well, she mistakes a bear for the rabbi. She invites him in and celebrates with him, playing dreidel, lighting the candles and eating latkes. The artwork by Giora Carmi is in orange and earthtones, and has a folksy feeling.

Originally published in 1988 as "The Chanukkah Guest" this story was republished in 2013 as Hanukkah Bear , with new illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka. Those pictures are bright and expressive adding more character to the bear, and might have more appeal to little children. Both versions are delightful. I also found an audiobook of Hanukkah Bear originally on cd now available on Hoopla app. The narrator
Laural Merlington is a fine actress and her narration ahad me giggleing. The story has folk music led by violin in the background.

Whichever version of this book you find, you won't be disappointed. It is cute, funny and heartwarming. which is why it has been such a popular favorite over the years.

[Kathy Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite read aloud book ever!

[Jackie B. - Death by Tsundoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun holiday story -- Highly recommended for Jewish kids everywhere. It's not particularly educational about Hanukkah, but it is cute. Love it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect combination: a charmingly polite hungry bear and a good cook who doesn't see or hear well! I loved this happy little story

[TCNS]

Longer book for older students

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny little story

[Heidi Busch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny story about a bear who visits Baba Braun’s and eats all the latkes.

[Emma Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This clever and humorous story was informative and entertaining. It combined Jewish traditions with a fun story about an old lady who mistakes a bear for one of her guests.

Ideas
Organization

LEXILE: 560L
ATOS: 2.6

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This old family favorite of mine would be very useful to explain a specific holiday: Hanukkah/Chanukkah/Hanukka. The story itself if very witty and stereotypical (of an elderly Jewish Grandmother) but also educational to the Jewish religion. There are traditions, lessons, and a bit of history thrown in the mix. The story is a little hard to understand so I would recommend it to 2nd grade and above. It is on the long side, but well worth the wait. The ending always gets a laugh, and is a great story to read aloud, to incorporate voices and exclamations.

[Judi Paradis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Kimmel is one of my favorite kids' authors and this book confirms that he is the go-to guy for Hanukkah stories. This is a truly funny story of an elderly woman who mistakes a bear for her rabbi and spends Hanukkah feeding him latkes and playing dreidel. The bear, who awoke from hibernation when he smells the delicious latkes, is a completely believable guest. Kids I've read this book to love it.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are not Jewish, but the kids always choose the two books by Kimmel as ones they want to read. Clever story with a realistic Bubba (97 years old) as a main character. Traditions of the holiday and humor. This story, too, puts little emphasis on gift giving. In so many of our holiday stories there's too much about Santa Claus and piles of gifts. I think that even the little kids appreciate stories with a different, and realistic, take on the holidays.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and humorous tale about a little old Bubba who mistakes a bear for the rabbi coming to visit for Chanukkah. The illustrations are fun and the story is highly entertaining, especially for young children. I heard this one read aloud by our youngest daughter's Kindergarten teacher during a holiday craft activity.

[Kristina Moss]

The Chanukkah Guest by Eric Kimmel is story about a bear named Bubba Brayna. Bubba Brayna is going blind and deaf, however, has a talent of making the best potato latkes around. Preparing to serve her famous potatoes latkes to the rabbi, she opens the door to a bear instead. This book would be great in the classroom during read a loud and teaching students about friendly forgiveness.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this with classes for a couple of years and they always seem to enjoy it. The irony of a woman who serves someone she believes is a rabbi but that happens to be a bear up for food in the middle of his winter hibernation is never lost on any of them. It's a fun story.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a bear who is mistaken for a hungry rabbi by old Bubba Brayna. Good for 3rd and 4th graders.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is also a favorite. Though come to find out after two or three years I pronounced "latkes" wrong.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"an old blind grandmother feeds a bear instead of the rabbi she was expecting
"

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An improbable plot, but it will make the kids laugh as they learn a little bit about Chanukkah. This story remains one of my favorites for sharing with the younger elementary children.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites to read out loud during the holidays. I love the humor of the story and the grandma is so endearing. Another classic story.

[Alaina Sloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of my favorite Hanukkah books to read for grades preschool - 2, about a an near-sighted old woman who thinks the rabbi has come to eat latkes on Hanukkah. But it's not the rabbi...

[Lesley Burnap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bubba Brayna's kindness knows no bounds! Laughter ensues as your children/students figure out that this little old woman has no idea who her special guest REALLY is!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday: Hanukkah

Text to text: Jacob and Esau/ Little red riding hood

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12682719

[Rachael Kaplan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to the class during the holidays (Chanukah)

[Ellen Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite Chanukah story