Oy, Santa!
Or, There's a Latke to Learn about Hanukkah
A laugh-out-loud interfaith holiday story celebrating Jewish joy, friendship, and the beauty of every tradition!
Enjoy this heartwarming and hilarious holiday picture book as Jewish, bi-racial Oliver Overstreet teaches Santa that Christmas and Hanukkah are not related—at all!
Oy, Santa! shines as a festive story that celebrates Jewish pride and tradition, sprinkled with laughter, friendship, and inclusion. With a friendly nod to Muslims who also don’t celebrate Christmas, this book is perfect for families, classrooms, and libraries seeking a fun, timely story about respecting differences and building bridges between traditions.
Starred Review – School Library Journal
“A highly entertaining holiday book that will be popular with readers of all ages. Verdict: Highly recommended for all collections."
2025 Children’s Book Council Favorite Award Winner
Reader Praise:
“The holiday book we didn’t know we needed.”
“Had me smiling throughout. Great for kids as well as adults.”
“Perfect for those celebrating either (or both) holidays.”
“A fun read. I wish I had this book as a youngster.”
“I read this book and instantly ordered multiple copies to give as gifts to friends.”
Ideal for:
- Interfaith families building shared holiday traditions of menorahs and mistletoe
- Grandparents looking for a gift to entertain and spark conversation
- Teachers and librarians promoting diversity and empathy (Teacher Guide available)
- Anyone who believes the holidays are brighter when every tradition shines
Bring home a story that celebrates connection, kindness, and the light of every tradition this holiday season. Ollie would like that.
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
|
978-1-951365-22-6
|
$19.99 | |
|
978-1-951365-24-0
|
$23.99 |
| Interest Level | Preschool - Grade 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 2 |
| Genre | Picture Books |
| Category | Diverse Books: Celebrating Differences , Diversity, Holidays, SEL: C Social Awareness, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2024 |
| Publisher | Intergalactic Afikoman |
| Imprint | Intergalactic Afikoman |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 40 |
| Publication Date | 2024-10-01 |
Author: Joyce Schriebman
A writer, educator, and interfaith activist, Joyce Schriebman is passionate about helping folks understand different faith traditions. A native of San Francisco, she moved to the glorious northeast 15 years ago and now lives in western Connecticut with her husband.
Illustrator: Gila von Meissner
Gila von Meissner is an illustrator from North Germany. She lives with her Israeli cat in a tiny house at a lake. She loves critters, jasmine tea, and chocolate.
Reach for the Stars: A Year in Review
Every year Lerner aims high, striving to create quality fiction and nonfiction for K-12 readers. In 2024 we’ve landed among the stars with 46 starred reviews for Lerner titles and our distribution partners’ titles! Check out the recognized picture books, middle grade and young adult… View →
Meet the Publisher: Intergalactic Afikoman
Today we introduce you to one of Lerner Publisher Service’s stellar publishing partners, Intergalactic Afikoman! We’re coming up on two years of distributing their joy-filled Jewish picture books and nonfiction, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share this interview with Brianna Caplan View →
Awards
- CBC Favorites Award
Reviews
The Horn Book Magazine
“Cheerful cartoony illustrations . . . include seasonal motifs and clever details. The Jewish family’s varied skin tones, along with other non-Christmas observers and diversity among the elves, are added pluses for representation.”—The Horn Book Magazine
School Library Journal
“A highly entertaining holiday book that will be popular with readers of all ages. . . . Highly recommended for all collections.”—starred, School Library Journal
Spirituality & Practice
“A witty exchange of letters between a Jewish boy and Santa Claus that promotes religious understanding. . . . [An] informative, funny book . . . for readers of all faith traditions.”—Spirituality & Practice
Publishers Weekly
“Clever, knowing, and unique in its enthusiasm for the integrity of the holiday, this story is for readers who find themselves cast in the role of Hanukkah explainer.”—Publishers Weekly
Midwest Book Review
“‘Oy, Santa’ is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Jewish Holiday/Fiction collections for children ages 4-9.”—Midwest Book Review, Judaic
San Diego Jewish World
This book will help children, especially those growing up in interfaith families, to differentiate the two holidays which typically abut each other in December . . . [and] may teach Jewish children that it’s okay to know about other religions, respecting their practitioners, while all the while hewing to Judaism."—San Diego Jewish World