There's No Such Thing As a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein [Hardcover]

Susan Sussman (Author), Charles Robinson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

This perennial classic tells the tender story of a young Jewish girl at Christmastime. Robin loves Christmas trees but knows Jews do not celebrate Christmas. When a classmate tells her about a 'Chanukah Bush' -- "It's like a Christmas tree, but it's for Jews" -- Robin rushes home to tell her family the great news. It takes a wise grandfather to explain to Robin the difference between celebrating something you believe in, and helping friends celebrate something they believe in. Recommended by the National Conference of Christians and Jews as a "...story promoting brotherhood and understanding," "There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein," is for every child who has ever felt different in our society. It teaches children to take pride in their own cultures and religions and to share these special things with others. Educators use both the "Chanukah Bush" book and film to sensitize students to other religions and to open discussions about what it feels like to be in a minority. An EMMY-award winning film by the same name is also available on AMAZON.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Sussman is the author of many books, both fiction and non-fiction, for children and adults.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (September 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807578622
• ISBN-13: 978-0807578629
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,909,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughters loved it, December 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein (Paperback)

There are so few books written and aimed at Jewish children this time of year, so it is a pleasure to find a good one. At the end of the year, it's not easy to explain why we don't have a Christmas tree. Another reviewer wrote that all the Jewish families they know have Christmas trees. I don't want to get into a debate, but in the interest of stating another side, some families observe both Chaunkah and Christmas and those families, I assume, would have a Christmas tree. But a Jewish family observing Chanukah, not Christmas, would have no reason to have a Christmas tree. The author shows how we can all help celebrate someone elses holiday. My daughters liked her story and so did I. It wasn't preachy or boring, but it was comforting.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not just for girls, May 24, 2002

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: There's No Such Thing As a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein (Hardcover)

"Do you have your tree yet," Heather asked Robin. "There it was! That question. Only this time it was worse, because of what Sandy Goldstein had done." Sandy's family had put up a Christmas tree and called it a Chanukah bush.

This nub of the first pages in this 9-chapter, 48-page easy reader captures the conflicted feelings of Robin, the main Jewish character whose best friend Heather was Christian. Heather naturally wanted Robin to share the joy of Christmas. Robin wanted to share it too. But of course, being Jewish, her family did not have a Christmas tree, and she had to tell her friend, "There is no such thing as a Chanukah bush."

Things got worse in school, when Robin's teacher directed the children to construct holiday decorations and Sandy Goldstein sat next to Robin, making the ugliest paper chains she had ever seen. Then all the other children started talking about their tree decorations and Santa Claus. Robin felt so, so, left out.

At home, Robin had a conversation with her mother about different ways of being Jewish. Robin's mother finished by saying that if Sandy Goldstein's family had a Christmas tree that was their business, but she would not have one in her house. They lit Chanukah candles.

Then Robin's Grandpa entered. His union was holding a Christmas party and he wanted Robin to go. The story travels through another five chapters and 28 pages before the girls reach an understanding about one another and their holidays. And that understanding is truly magnificent.

This book shows children the respect that they can and should have for others of varied faiths. Children (and people) can be different, but nevertheless help and love one another, deeply.

And PS, this book is not just for girls. Our copy was a gift from a relative whose son loved the story too. Alyssa A. Lappen

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Universal Message, February 6, 2004

By 

MZ (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: There's No Such Thing As a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein (Hardcover)

This book contains a universal theme that left me saying, "That's me." I was the odd one out. We've all been there at some point, and this book is outstanding. I also feel like it's a great way for kids outside of the Jewish faith to get that small perspective of what it is like for a Jewish child at Christmastime. It's one of those books that I remember fondly and remember well, even though I haven't read it in twenty years.