Many times I am asked for Chanukah book recommendations and for years underwent much frustration trying to unearth well-illustrated meaningful children's books. My initial frustration was that for a long time the books that existed were most often didactic and the illustrations dull. Finally however, there are a good number of books available for those who want to counteract the profusion of Christmas books which yearly flood the market.

Chanukah books began with non-fiction pieces and there are now some beautiful representatives of this genre. You can even begin babies with Tomie dePaola's board book My First Chanukah. Symbols such as menorah, shamash, gelt and dreidels are shown. Customs such as candle lighting and even traditional foods and a bit of history are revealed to toddlers who are beginning to wonder. Ages 2-4. (Putnam, 1989)

The story of Chanukah is the subject of two well-illustrated books. Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights is written by Jenny Koralek and illustrated by Juan Wijngaard. The writing is filled with images, emotions and has a very personal feel. The illustrations, each framed as if in a pillared doorway have a monochromatic feel that gives an excellent sense of history. Ages 4-8. (Lothrop, 1990)

The Story of Hanukkah with paintings by Ori Sherman and text by Amy Erlich tells the same story with a different feel. The style is folk-art and the text mirrors the art by accenting the human drama of a people struggling courageously to achieve freedom. Ages 5-10. (Dial, 1989)

For older children, The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns is a guide to traditions. The author's introduction cites purposes as exploring traditions, , ways to make celebrations personal, and feelings about this holiday. The book abounds in things to cook, make and think about. The author's writing style is personable, sensitive and accessible. Ages 9-12. (Avon, 1991)

There are several writers who have contributed much to the quality Chanukah fiction. One is Eric Kimmel. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins tells the story of the tired and hungry Hershel of Ostropol who is sure that he will find happy warm Hanukkah greetings and food at a village. He doesn't because the village is plagued by goblins that haunt the old synagogue. The clever Herschel takes on and outwits three goblins in a night and releases the village from the haunts. Kimmel blends circumstance, chills and comedy in his telling. Trina Schart Hyman does the same in her illustrations. Ages 4-8. (Holiday House, 1989)

Beautifully Eric Kimmel tells a wonderful tale that families will love hearing again and again in The Chanukkah Guest. Bubba Brayna, at ninety some does not hear or see as well as she once did. She does however make the best potato latkes in the village. When a bear issues himself an invitation, he is mistaken for the rabbi, and Kimmel's fun and humor abound in the telling as well as the situation. Giora Carmi's illustrations extend and at the same time anchor the ridiculous story well with a realistic approach. (Holiday House, 1990)

Jane Breskin Zalben's Beni's First Chanukah tells the story of Beni, the bear who shares Chanukah with his squirrel friends. It is a good way to talk about different celebrations and sharing festivities as well. There is a strong sense of family and family traditions that come across in both text and illustration. Ages 4 to 8. Hardcover only. (Henry Holt, $12.95)

Just Enough is Plenty by Barbara Diamond Goldin tells the tale of Makla and her poor family who live in Poland. They have "just enough" to share and do so with a stranger one Hanukkah night. The lovely folk feeling of text and illustration charm as much as the miracle of the story. Ages 5-10. (Viking, $12.95)

For older readers is Susan Sussman's Hanukkah: Eight Lights Around the World. This book is a series of eight short stories allowing us to see Hanukkah celebrated in eight different countries around the world. All stories are poignant, reveal a great deal about different cultures and forms of celebration and include important themes of peace, freedom of worship and importance of women. Each ends with the word, "Forever." This seems to link not only the stories, but a variety of cultures and feelings. A great book to Ages seven to twelve. (Whitman, $10.25 )

There are even interactive Hanukkah books. To draw the youngest celebrants into the holiday fun is Amye Rosenberg's Melly's Menorah. Complicating the usual holiday bustle, Melly's gopher family has just moved and young Melly feels lost in the chaos. Everyone is occupied and no one has time to pay attention to her attempts at celebrating. Melly is frustrated at every turn until she finds expression for her enthusiasm by creating a cookie dough menorah. When relatives arrive and chatter and family warmth fill the house, it is discovered that the menorah is missing and of course, Melly becomes the holiday heroine. The book comes will peel-off holiday stickers and a half-drawn menorah that children can "light" with some of the included stickers. But best of all is a story about the holiday that is filled with all the symbols, but none of the didactics that have characterized many previous books. Ages 3-6. (Little Simon, 1991)

Hanukkah! by Sara Freedland and Sue Clarke is subtitled a three-dimensional celebration. The joyous and festive quality of this pop-up really does leap from between the covers. The writing is buoyant and spotlights history, traditions and even includes a dreidel that can be put together. The background art seems modern and archetypal, is washed with golden highlights that make art just as three dimensional as this informing involving book. (Viking, $15.95)

Many are the books written to comfort Jewish children who are "deprived" of Christmas. Author Gloria Pushker takes a different approach in Toby Belfer Never Had A Christmas Tree. She tells the story of a young girl , the only Jewish child growing up in a small country town, who delights her Christian friends with the stories and fun of Hanukkah. Toby's family is warm and welcoming and woven into the story of cultural sharing are instructions for building a big menorah, a recipe for Potato Latkas, rules for dreidel and the tales, songs and prayers of the holiday. Ages 4-8. (Pelican Press)

About the time children are read for short novel reads is about the time they may really be feeling the unfairness of the Christian holiday hullabaloo around them. And that makes Susan Sussman's There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein doubly perfect. Robin sees all the joyous festivities and wonders why her family can't join in, especially when another Jewish child has a Chanukah Bush. Her kindly Grandfather sees her longing and invites her to his lodge's Christmas party. Robin is enthralled and questions again why she can't bring Christmas into her home. Grandpa's explanation is perfect. "There is a difference, " he tells her, "between celebrating something because you believe in it and helping friends celebrate something because they believe in it." Robin understands and plans a happy holiday sharing with her Christmas-celebrating friend Heather. Ages 6-9. (Whitman)