Wonderful holiday books to share
Reading is one of the best gifts you can give
Books to Borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
• "The Beautiful Christmas Tree" by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Yan Nascimbene, Houghton Mifflin Co., 32 pages
Read aloud: age 4 — 7
Read yourself: age 7 and older
First published in 1972 and reissued in 1999 with new illustrations, this gentle Christmas story will warm the hearts of a new generation with its message of love.
When Mr. Crockett moves into the run-down, empty house on an elegant street, his neighbors won't have anything to do with him. Because he is a simple man and doesn't dress fashionably, he is considered strange. Parents tell their children to stay away from Mr. Crockett.
Before Christmas that year, Mr. Crockett buys a scrawny pine tree and begins to nurture it back to life. In the spring, he plants it outside his house, and again the neighbors make fun of him, but Mr. Crockett cares for the tree with love and tenderness. In time, it grows to be the most beautiful tree on the street, attracting songbirds and new friends to the old man.
A true celebration of the spirit of Christmas and the goodness of people, this beautiful story makes a lovely choice for the holiday season.
Librarian's Choice
Library: Yuba County Library, 303 Second St., Marysville
Library Director: Loren MccRory
Outreach and Programming Coordinator: Kathleen Stewart
Choices this week: "The Magic Raincoat" by Ryan David; "The Princess and the Pea" by Lauren Child; "Gossamer" by Lois Lowry
Books to Buy
The following books are available at your favorite bookstores.
• "The True Gift: A Christmas Story" by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Brian Floca, Atheneum, 2009, 83 pages, $12.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 7 and older
Read yourself: age 8 — 9 and older
Every year, young Lily and Liam look forward to spending Christmas at their grandparents' farm. This year, though, when the children arrive, Liam senses something isn't quite right. White Cow is all alone in the pasture. When he asks his grandparents where the donkey and other cows are, he is told they were sent to other farms. Liam worries that White Cow is lonely, but no one else seems to really care.
Liam decides he must do something about White Cow's situation, and posts several advertisements around the small town searching for cows to join White Cow. While Liam waits for someone will reply, he tries to gather enough money to pay for a companion for White Cow. Little does he know that his loving efforts will yield an even greater gift than he imagines.
A warm and wonderful story about family, community and the true joy of giving, this selection is destined to become a favorite for the holiday season and any time.
• "The Gingerbread Pirates" by Kristin Kladstrup, illustrated by Matt Tavares, Candlewick, 2009, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 4 and older
Read yourself: age 7 — 8
On Christmas Eve, Jim and his mother are making pirate gingerbread men. Jim makes a captain with a cutlass and a peg leg from a toothpick and names him Captain Cookie. Jim loves his captain so much, he takes him to bed and falls asleep wishing he had a ship for his pirate.
Captain Cookie springs into action to find his crew. Danger is around every corner, but nothing is as dangerous as coming face-to-face with the giant cannibal — Santa Claus himself!
An adventurous, hilarious story that brims with the magic of Christmas, "The Gingerbread Pirates" is pure delight.
• "Maisy's Snowy Christmas Eve" written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins, Candlewick, 2009, 28 pages, $6.99 board book
Read aloud: age 1 — 3
Read yourself: age 6 — 7
It was Christmas Eve, and everybody was invited to Maisy's house to celebrate. The snow was coming down fast and hard as the friends made their way — Cyril on his snowshoes, Charlie and Tallulah on their sled and big Eddie the elephant on foot.
As the friends prepared for the festivities at Maisy's house, they realized Eddie wasn't there. They decided they must look for their lost friend, but would they be able to find Eddie in al that snow?
Another delightful "Maisy" story from powerhouse author/illustrator Lucy Cousins, "Maisy's Snowy Christmas Eve" will charm young readers everywhere.
Kendal A. Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net.
