Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Hanukkah Party!

PreS-Gr 2–The familiar world Who-ville gets a heartwarming holiday makeover in this charming addition to the Horton series. One night, Horton the elephant hears a faint, beautiful sound that the other animals in the Jungle of Nool cannot hear. The next night he hears a wobble; and the night after that he hears a sizzling, accompanied by the smell of something tasty. Night after night, Horton notices new delights, but his familiar cast of jungle friends detects nothing. At last, on the eighth night, the mysterious source of the sounds and smells is finally revealed when everyone sees a magnificent glowing menorah. The rabbi of Who-ville appears to explain the traditions of Hanukkah, including singing songs, playing dreidel, making latkes, and lighting the menorah, while emphasizing the central theme of religious freedom and that everyone, everywhere, deserves it. Though it lacks the abundance of classic Seussian made-up words, this book retains the beloved rhyming couplets and iconic illustrative style, making it a familiar and comfortable read. The artwork incorporates Hanukkah imagery in a way that feels fresh and inviting, and a helpful author’s note at the end provides an accessible historical context for the holiday and its traditions.