(NEW YORK, NY) -- "Lighting The Menorah," an all-new Laurie Berkner Band Hanukkah single for kids and families, is out with an accompanying music video. In this gentle seasonal song, the beloved kids' musician takes children on a journey through eight nights of Hanukkah fun – decorating the house, receiving Hanukkah gelt, playing dreidel, and eating latkes! And best of all, sharing the meaning of lighting candles every night: "I remember what it's for, and the world lights up a little more."
"I wrote this song about Hanukkah thinking of the warm feelings that come from having a celebration at home with family and friends," says Laurie Berkner. "Where the focus on remembering the past and enjoying the present creates feelings of love and hope through simple rituals like singing, sharing a meal, playing games, and lighting 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 candles over the eight nights of this holiday."
Recognized as "the queen of kids' music" by People magazine, Berkner is a singer, songwriter, lyricist, author, and founder of Two Tomatoes Records, LLC. With more than 1.7 billion total streams, an average of more than 22 million monthly streams, more than 578 million YouTube channel views, and millions of albums, songs, and DVDs sold, Laurie's songs have become beloved classics for children worldwide.
Business Insider dubbed Laurie "the gold standard of the children's music world." As a leader and innovator in children's music and entertainment for more than 25 years, Laurie has released 17 bestselling, award-winning albums, was the first recording artist to ever appear in music videos on Noggin and Nick, Jr., appeared regularly on those channels' Jack's Big Music Show, and helped develop the short form animated musical preschool series Sing It, Laurie! on Universal Kids (formerly Sprout TV). She has made multiple appearances on national TV shows such as Today, Good Morning America, Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Tamron Hall Show, and more. Laurie's 17th album, Laurie Berkner Greatest Hits, was released in May 2025.
Laurie has authored several picture books based on her songs and has created two Laurie Berkner's Song and Story Kitchen series with Audible Studios, who released them as 10-chapter audio books through the Audible Originals brand. She has written the music and lyrics for three children's musicals originally produced Off-Broadway by New York City Children's Theater and now presented regionally. Laurie has performed at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the White House, among many other prestigious venues. She is prominently featured in the children's music documentary, Happy and You Know It, directed by Penny Lane, which will debut later this month on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
What sets Laurie apart? She displays an instinctive understanding of children's natural rhythms and energy, which keeps kids enraptured and brings parents and caregivers happily along for the ride. Laurie finds inspiration in her audience. "I want to create songs that matter for children," she says. "I was singing once and saw a four-year-old girl shut her eyes and start swaying to the music. I thought, 'That's the reason I got into music.' It keeps me wanting to do more."
Laurie Berkner has received tremendous critical acclaim. USA Today named Laurie "the undisputed queen of kindie rock." The New York Times dubbed her "the Adele of the preschool crowd." The Wall Street Journal called Laurie "one of the most popular children's performers in America ... her music is distinctive because it speaks to kids without talking down to them, charming youngsters without boring grownups." NPR's All Things Considered declared, "Laurie Berkner is like a goddess to these children."
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