The Littlest Candle

Even the smallest flame can light up the world!From Rabbi Kerry Olitzky—one of Newsweek’s “50 Leading Rabbis in North America” and author of over 75 books—and his son Rabbi Jesse Olitzky, comes a heartwarming Hanukkah story about courage, kindness, and finding your place. Inside a little drawer lives a family of candles, each dreaming of shining bright on Hanukkah. There’s Glow, Twinkle, Smokey, and the braided Havdalah candle. But standing quietly in the corner is Little Flicker, the tiniest candle of all. He encourages his friends, cheers on their strengths, and always thinks of others first. Still, he wonders: Could someone as small as me ever be chosen for something so important? When the moment arrives to pick the shamash—the helper candle who lights all the others—Little Flicker learns that true strength isn’t measured by size, but by the size of your heart. With vibrant illustrations by Jen Kostman, The Littlest Candle is more than a holiday tale—it’s a timeless reminder that every child, no matter how small, has the power to bring light into the world. Perfect for Hanukkah gift-giving, synagogue story time, and family reading, this joyful picture book blends Jewish tradition with universal values of empathy, courage, and community.