SHOWS FOR YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR PARENTS TOO : The story of Hanukkah as told by the puppets of Marc Weiner and Shari Lewis

Having a hard time explaining the story of Hanukkah to the wee ones? Why not let children’s entertainers Marc Weiner and Shari Lewis give it try?

Nickelodeon’s Weinerville Chanukah Special and PBS’ Lamb Chop’s Special Chanukah offer fun and vivid narratives of the Judaic holiday.

Weiner weaves a contemporary version of the tale of Hanukkah, using his specialized puppets, which, for those who haven’t caught Weinerville zaniness, is a human head with a puppet’s body. And, in typical Weinerville fashion, you can expect a little bit of irreverence.

“Nick did a ‘Rugrats Passover,’ with a lot of success,” Weiner says from his studios in New York, where he was reached editing the special. “But Hanukkah is a more difficult story to tell, so this has taken two years to develop.”

The eventual story was created as “only in my weird mind,” Weiner says. “There are space aliens in this story who look like the latkes [potato pancakes]. I was trying to figure out ways of explaining the story of Hanukkah and keeping it Weinerville-ish.”

His dilemma, he says, was “how to explain the story to America and to kids.” And at the same time deal with his visions of “space aliens with problems similar to the Jews’ problems in ancient Israel.”

He believes he came up with an appropriate parable. “If you have faith, you can overcome any obstacle,” Weiner says.

The following week, TV’s youngest viewers can see Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, Hush Puppy and Shari Lewis on Lamb Chop’s Special Chanukah. They are joined by Alan Thicke, Pat Morita and Lloyd Bochner as all enjoy the traditions, food, songs and stories of the holiday on For ages 2 to 6.

“Weinerville Chanukah Special” airs Thursday at 8 p.m. and repeats Saturday at 3 p.m. on Nickelodeon. For ages 2 to 12. “Lamb Chop’s Special Chanukah” airs Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. on KCET. For ages 2 to 6.

More Family Shows

Ruben Blades reads two stories in Spanish on a holiday-themed Storytime Para Ti (Sunday 9:30 a.m. and Christmas Day 8 a.m. KCET). For ages 2 to 6.

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The Disney Channel offers Growing & Changing: A Guide to Early Childhood (Sunday, 1 p.m.), a documentary celebrating UNICEF’s International Children’s Day. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton introduces the show, hosted by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton. Meanwhile, Nickelodeon designates Sunday as International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (2 to 5 p.m.), featuring a three-hour block of Nick’s international championship for kids, “Global Guts.” For ages 4 and up.

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Grandma’s coming and it’s time for happy holiday hoopla on “Waiting For Grandma,” an episode of Allegra’s Window (Tuesday, 11 a.m. Nickelodeon). For ages 2 to 6.

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It’s also Christmas At Eureeka’s Castle (Tuesday, 1 p.m. Nickelodeon). For ages 2 to 6.

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In a kiddie version of “The Gift of the Magi,” Emmet Otter and his mom wish they had money to buy each other Christmas presents in Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas (Wednesday, 7 p.m. Nickelodeon). For ages 2 to 6.

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In an episode about a doll that every kid wants for Christmas, A Pinky & the Brain Christmas (Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. WB/KTLA) finds the lab mice trying to take over the world--again. For ages 2 and up.

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A Very Snick Christmas (Saturday, 8 to 10 p.m. Nickelodeon) offers up holiday-themed shows for “Doug,” “Rugrats,” “Rocko’s Modern Life,” and “Ren and Stimpy.” For ages 2 and up.