Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm

by Jon Koons

The villagers of Chelm, in the rabbi's absence, send a messenger to a nearby village in order to be reminded how to prepare for the coming Hanukkah.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525469699
• ISBN13: 9780525469698
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.6" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 5 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 4

Customer Reviews

Mazel Tov

I'm so excited for a Hanuka book! This one's really fun and would make an excellent TV cartoon over the holidays. I always loved tales of Chelm as a kid, and this is such a great follow up. And the vibrant illustrations really bring it to life. I gave this book as a gift to every kid I knew.

I liked it. My daughter likes it.

The story was cute and the pictures were also cute. My daughter enjoys this book very much. Isn't that what its all about?

We're all from Chelm

Too bad some of these other reviewers feel the way they do. I read this book completely different. To me it puts a mirror up to all of us and how we approach the holiday and reminds us that sometimes we lose sight of what it's all about. It's not unlike when Christians complain that with all the decorations, parties, gifts, Santa Claus and everything else that comes with the holidays, they lose sight of "the reason for the season". That's what makes this book "work" - the fools are busy on focusing on "how" to celebrate Hanukkah, not "why". I'd recommend it to families who want to give their kids a fun and entertaining reminder.

An original story based on the `town of fools' idea

Hanukkah is fast approaching the village of Chelm, but the Rabbi has disappeared and nobody else remembers the rituals for celebrating Hanukkah. It's up to Yossel to journey to another village to learn how to celebrate - but he's a simple person and may not find the right place in time. An original story based on the `town of fools' idea brings Hanukkah to life.