Eight Tales for Eight Nights: Stories for Chanukah

by Peninnah Schram

Eight traditional tales from around the world introduce the customs and meanings of Chanukah.

166 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1977

About the author

Peninnah Schram, internationally known storyteller, teacher, author, and recording artist, is Professor of Speech and Drama at Stern College of Yeshiva University. She travels across the US and other countries as a featured presenter at storytelling festivals, conferences, and as Performing Artist-in-Residence.

Reviews

[India Lavoyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The History of Chanukkah is given then you begin with Night 1 of 8. I read a story per night this Hanukkah. My favorite story was on Night 6. They are mostly historical fiction stories that relate to Hanukkah. The book also has sheet music with Hebrew, Yiddish, and English lyrics. There is a section after the 8th night that gives a history of Jewish story telling. It encourages the reader to write or tell stories of family etc. Then there is a glossary. There are Hebrew and Yiddish words in transliteration in the stories. The glossary is a great resource.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peninah Schram is one of the great Jewish storytellers of our time. These stories range from traditional to original and are based in every Jewish culture. It's intended for family use, with suggestions for holiday celebration and an appendix with music to sing-along to. The main flaw with this is that, despite the large book layout, this is really more of a chapter book inside. The stories are long (for probably an 8 or 9 year old to read by themselves, or to be read to a patient 5 or 6 year old) and unillustrated.

[Darceylaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are really well crafted stories. I do a lot of hunting for short stories on religious themes to use in my work, and this anthology was just delightful. In addition to the artful stories there are beautiful cut paper illustrations, and even music for traditional songs. I would totally recommend this book as a holiday gift or something to curl up with as the holidays approach.