"An excellent book for library collections." —School Library Journal


"A charmer about the special meanings of Hanukkah: joy, friendship, and inclusion." —Kirkus Reviews


"An amusing tale, speckled with Hanukkah details, about making guests feel welcome."—Horn Book

"What if a guest becomes difficult to bear? This book leads by example"—Foreword Reviews

"Com­bines humor, fun, hol­i­day spir­it, and, most impor­tant­ly, Jew­ish val­ues."—Jewish Book Council

A 2025 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Book Award Silver Medalist

A rollicking Hanukkah romp about including friends, accommodating differences, and having FUN!

Don’t invite a bear inside for Hanukkah! While he might try to be helpful with decorating and putting candles in the menorah, he will start to cause a mess soon enough, especially when latkes, gelt and other holiday food is served.

But maybe if you think creatively, you can still celebrate the holiday together.

In this energetic, lighthearted story readers will learn about the preparations and traditions of Hanukkah. It's a Hanukkah tale about meeting new friends where they are, accommodating differences, being flexible and learning to celebrate even if things don’t go exactly as planned. Leave your creature comforts behind and go outside into nature for a rollicking good time.

Illustrated by: Carles Arbat