"Hanukkah at Valley Forge"

Today's holiday book is called "Hanukkah at Valley Forge" by Stephen Krensky with illustrations by Greg Harlin.  In December of 1778 Washington was dining in the home of Jewish merchant, Michael Hart, in Philadelphia.  Mr. Hart attempted to explain the ritual of Hanukkah to Washington who replied that he knew all about it.  He explained that he'd met a young Polish soldier at Valley Forge who was practicing the ritual and explained Hanukkah to him.  From this snippet, Krensky imagined a wonderful story between the future president of a new nation and a young immigrant fighting to make it so.  The illustrations pass between contemporary images of the snow bound Pennsylvania battle encampment of ancient Israel.  It is lushly illustrated.  Published in 2006, and available online for around $30.00.