Books

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time for families to start celebrating, in their many diverse ways, the faith, the strength and the fun that carries them through the end of the year. Each season, we choose a number of books to help reflect that diversity, from religious stories to good old Santa Claus. Take time to reconnect with your young children as those sleigh bells ring (are you listening?).

[For ages 6-10]

Santa’s Reindeer
By Rod Green; illustrated by Jon Lucas, Carol Wright, and Clayton McDermott (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, hardcover, 36 pages, $16.99)
    There really are reindeer, not just the ones that take Santa’s sleigh around the world once a year. This beautifully illustrated book is both a lesson on where reindeer live, what they eat and the careful selection of each by Santa Claus. As the author notes: “For most new arrivals at the North Pole, the honor of actually joining the Sleigh Team is still a long way off.” There is a great bit about each of Santa’s reindeer.

[For ages 1-5]

Christmas Is Coming!
By Lisa Marsoli; illustrated by Lucy Barnard (Brainwaves Limited, board book, 10 pages, $6.99)
    Parents can help their young children understand the frantic, but fun, preparations that Santa Claus goes through during holiday time. Even  Mrs. Claus gets into the action. There is a touch-and-feel wheel attached to the last page that allows your young one to help “trim the tree.”

[For ages 5-9]

The First Christmas Stocking
By Elizabeth Winthrop; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Knopf Delacorte Dell; hardcover, 40 pages, $15.95)
    This book tells the story of the stocking that is made with care. A long time ago, a little girl, with very few material things, learned to knit with her mother. Her mom knitted for the rich people in town. And then, her mother was gone. On the night when Claire’s 6 stockings were due at a well-to-do woman’s home, she trudged through the snow and had to make the decision between a guaranteed big payment, or to help the shivering boy who needs something to warm his feet, his hands, his head. Claire is the child who took her mother’s words to heart: “Dream your dreams and knit them into the wool.” A terrific season classic.


[For ages 6-12]

A Song in Bethlehem
By Marnie McGee; illustrated by Jason Cockcroft (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, 36 pages, $15.99)
    The story of the birth of Jesus told with the twist of a young, hungry woman who goes to witness the Bethlehem scene, and is transformed for life. The unusually good illustrations help move the story  along, which includes the dramatic meeting between Joseph and Naomi, who grabs a coin and tries to flee. Instead, she is welcomed and comes face-to-face with the baby. The 2-page illustration of Naomi kissing Jesus’ head is worthy of framing.


[For ages 5-8]

On the First Night of Chanukah
By Cecily Kaiser; illustrated by Brian Schatell (Scholastic Inc., softcover, 24 pages, $3.99)
    The holiday song, “On the First Night…” is utilized smartly to tell of the history and traditions of Chanukah. This is a fun book, smartly illustrated, that goes from the first night through the eighth night, when there is the traditional countdown of 8 special candles, 7 doughnuts frying, 6 finger puppets, 5 chocolate gelt, 4 dreidels spinning, and so on. Most importantly, the menorah is burning brightly.

[For ages 6-10]

Merry Navidad! Christmas Carols in Spanish and English
By Alma Flor Ada and Rosalma Zubizarreta and F. Isabel Campoy; illustrated by Vivi Escriva (HarperCollins, hardcover, 64 pages, $16.99)
    This bilingual book is a fun compilation of traditional Latino Christmas carols. Sheet music for 6 of the songs is included. The illustrations help set the mood for each song, and reminds us of the diversity of our Latino brothers and sisters.


[For ages 3-7]

Gingerbread Mouse
Written and illustrated by Katy Bratun (HarperCollins Children’s Books, softcover, 32 pages, $6.99)
    A wonderful little mouse’s tiny home is ruined when a snow-laden tree limb falls on it. Time to look for new digs. She sees the lights of a home in the near distance and thus begins her most thrilling adventure. She rides inside on the limb of the family’s Christmas tree, and before she is completely settled, look who is coming down the chimney!
Snuggle up to a holiday book on a cold night


[For ages 7-11]

The Nutcracker Doll
Written and illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma (Arthur A. Levine Books, hardcover, 36 pages, $16.99)
    Isn’t it every little dancing girl’s dream to dance “The Nutcracker?” Well, it is for Kepley. Once she saw the holiday classic, she couldn’t wait to get back to ballet class and work even harder, and dream even deeper. In fact, 2 of her classmates, older, talented girls, have just appeared in the performance. So she trains, and learns that, once the dream is fulfilled, it might not be all that it seemed. Or can it be? All she knows is that maybe someday she could dance the “Waltz of the Flowers.”


[For ages 3-9]

Christmas in the Barn
By Margaret Wise Brown; illustrated by Diane Goode (HarperCollins, softcover, 32 pages, $6.99)
    The author, famous for writing “Goodnight Moon,” first wrote this story in 1952. As only she can do, helped along by Caldecott Honor illustrator Diane Goode, Margaret Wise Brown takes familiar phrases and turns them into lilting words. In a familiar way, it is “Goodnight Moon” wrapped in the nativity scene.