Robin, a Jewish girl, sees all her friends celebrating and wishes she could have a tree because they are so beautiful. Her Jewish friend Sandy Goldstein has a Chanukah Bush, but her more devout family won't allow it. She learns that she can share her Jewish holidays with her Christian friends and that they can share theirs with her. Although there are a few black and white drawings, the illustrations are not the focal point of the book. I hope someone else decides to take the story and add some updated color illustrations throughout it to capture the attention of today's readers. It's still a great story! ( )

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.

-Amazon description

Grandfather helps child cope with Christmas and not having a Christmas tree like her friend