Even though Malka's family has barely enough kopeks to make Hanukkah latkes, they welcome a stranger who appears at the door. He first enchants the children by playing dreidel with real coins and then by reading stories "about kind people and cruel people, about angels and wonder-working rabbis, about beggars and miracles." The whole house seems to be filled with guests, and the unnamed stranger's generosity fulfills the tradition in more than one way. A note about Hanukkah closes a book illustrated with beautiful full-color paintings. (Ages 5-11)

An old peddler joins Malka's family for the first night of the Hanukkah celebrations--one in which there is "just enough" food for the family, but they gladly share with him. The next morning, they find the peddler has gone, leaving a a sackful of gifts--and Malka is convinced that he was Elijah.