Opening the book…
Read the story
Read "Riley’s Hanukkah Miracle", a Hanukkah sample storybook: a real family’s personalized book, shared with their permission.
It was the first night of Hanukkah, and Riley stood by the front window with Mommy and Daddy. The room felt cozy and still.
Daddy lit the shamash, the helper candle. Together, they used its light to begin their hanukkiah in the window.
Riley looked very closely at the candles. Why do we light the candles on Hanukkah, she asked.
The little flame shimmered and stretched in the glass. Riley imagined it making a bright path for her, Mommy, and Daddy.
In her imagination, they were in ancient Jerusalem. Stone steps and high walls glowed around them.
The Holy Temple felt dusty and sad after hard times. Riley said they should help make it beautiful again.
Riley led the way. Mommy dusted, Daddy swept, and Riley found every little place that needed care.
A kind man named Judah Maccabee came to help. He smiled when he saw Riley's careful eyes.
A priest showed them the golden menorah with seven branches. It needed pure olive oil, but the jars nearby were broken.
Riley was small, and that was important. She looked in the small places other people missed.
There, in a narrow hidden spot, Riley found one tiny jar. Its seal was still unbroken.
The little jar held only enough oil for one night. Riley thought they should light it anyway.
The pure oil was poured, and the great menorah was lit. Its seven branches shone across the hall.
But the light did not go out. It burned through one night, then another, and another.
For eight nights, the oil kept glowing. Everyone felt wonder bloom inside them.
Then Riley felt the bright memory come home with her. It was like a tiny lamp glowing in her heart.
Over the following nights, Riley helped Mommy and Daddy remember. Each evening, the hanukkiah held more and more light.
They ate latkes with applesauce and soft jelly doughnuts. Riley looked pleased in the very serious way of someone choosing the next bite.
Then they played dreidel for chocolate gelt. Riley gave the spinning top her deepest toddler concentration.
At home again, the hanukkiah was full of Hanukkah light. Riley said the lights mean hope stays bright, even when things feel small or dark.