Maccabee!: The Story of Hanukkah

Wonderful first book on Hanukkah! Simple yet covers the story well for children (or adults who finally decided to learn about this important Jewish holiday).

I love this books because it is about standing up for something that is right. I love this books!! Want to owne it!

Absolutely wonderful!Really enjoyed this book. Although for children, it's poetic rhythm catches the hearts of adults while imparting an important time in Jewish history. Although I have found no actual historical documents corroborating the event of the 8 day oil, it is a significant event that such a small band of Jews were able to defeat a much larger Army. God was definitely with them. Beautifully illustrated as well. I will be reading this as an intro to Hannukah to my grandkids for years t [...]

We aren't Jewish so I'm not sure how someone who celebrates Hanukkah would like the book but I appreciated that it talked about the power struggle and the fighting in a way that didn't spook my 6 yr old. Also, the repeating theme of this book is that a few people doing the right thing can make a big difference and I think that is a good lesson to learn for every day life!

Probably the best kids book about Hanukkah I've read. I guess maybe that's not saying much? But anyway, it focuses on the fact that "it only takes a few" to stand up for what's right, and I like that.

Sometimes it only takes a few. Who know what's right, and do it, too.

I have been teaching second grade, religious school, for the last 8 years in a secondary education program at my temple in Raleigh, NC. While researching Jewish children's books with an element of poetry and rhyme, I stumbled across this book called, "Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah" written by Tilda Balsley. There are NOT a lot of Jewish children's books that present the history of Hanukkah in such an eloquent, powerful way. The poem verses, along with amazing illustrations, really draws the re [...]

This story is a legend of Hanukkah. Many years ago, the Greeks had many gods. King Antiochus told the Jewish people that they must bow down to all Greek gods and dress and eat as the Greeks did. Many Jewish people refused to obey the king, so in retaliation the king ordered servants to take the Greek statues to Jerusalem. His goal was to desecrate the Jewish holy places and kill the Jews who refused to obey him. A Jew named Mattathias stepped up to rally the faithful Jews and because he was old [...]

Tilda Balsley tells the story of Hanukkah in great rhyme and rhythm. She tells simply about the Jewish struggles and how Judah Maccabee leads the Jews to victory against the Greeks. The Jews temple was left in a mess and yet they courageously clean it up. She tells about the miracle of lights. Balsley also adds some couplets about doing good. This book has some good information about the Jewish history surrounding Hanukkah.The illustrations by David Harrington are colorful and packed with motion [...]

O.K. this isn't the best possible story, and I do wish it were more easily available in hardback, but it is a good start and wins on at least two counts: kids will actually want to read it and it focuses on the action story of the Maccabees instead of just the the warm loving focus of most holiday books. The repeated refrain of the rhyming text: Sometimes it only takes a few, Who know what's right and do it too, sends a clear message children can understand and appreciate.

Yes!! When I saw the title of this book and the cover, I knew I had to have it! The story is in a fun rhyming pattern and the illustrations are fantastic!! And it makes me think of this:youtube/watch?v=qSJCSLove The Maccabeats!!

Rhyming text retells how Mattathias, his son Judah Maccabee, and other faithful Jews freed Jerusalem from King Antiochus, who wanted to impose the Greek gods, and the miracle occuring when they lit the menorah that gave rise to Hanukkah.

I liked the rhyming text and the illustrations a lot. It also fills a need in my library for the backstory of Hanukkah. We had a lot of books about people celebrating throughout the year, but not one about how the holiday started!

I loved the dynamic colorful pictures in this rhyming retelling of the Hanukkah story. I also liked the repeated verse: "Sometimes it only takes a few, who know what's right, and do it, too." A great moral and makes for a fun audience participation part of the read aloud.

A good way to tell the story of Hanukkah to kids. Though it's interesting, considering the violent backstory, how commercialized Hanukkah became when it isn't even one of the most important Jewish holidays. I blame Christmas.

Eddie read it and said it was good.

Rhyme and great illustrations by David Harrington keep the story moving. Great reminder for people of all faiths: "Sometimes it only takes a few, who know what's right, and do it, too."

A great, super-hero-style picture book telling of the story of Hanukkah; better for the elementary-aged student rather than preschooler.

Cute book

Given to me by a good friend to teach me more about Hanukkah and the traditions around it. I love learning about things that are important to my friends.

this is a good book. What I loved was the illustrations, they were very excellent.