Inspiring books for the holiday season

The greatest joy of the holiday season doesn't come from receiving gifts; it comes from giving. Children can be active participants in this pursuit. Simple homemade gifts a child can make (often with some help from an adult) are the best.

Whether it's a construction paper tree ornament decorated with paint or glitter, making holiday cards for the elderly at a local nursing home or any other easy, inexpensive gift, it's important that children be a part of giving, not just receiving.

The message of giving is contained in a variety of ways in the holiday books reviewed below. How you direct your child in this regard and what you do personally to set the example will make all the difference.

Books to borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

• "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree" written and illustrated by Robert Barry, Doubleday, 32 pages

Read aloud: age 4 and older

Read yourself: age 7 — 8 and older

Mr. Willowby was a wealthy man. When his Christmas tree arrived, it was the biggest, most beautiful tree Mr. Willowby had ever seen, but it was too tall for his house.

Mr. Willowby told his butler to chop off the top of the tree so that it would stand upright. The butler did, but felt it would be a waste to throw the treetop away, so the butler gave the top to the upstairs maid. She was delighted, but once again, the tree was too tall for her room, so she trimmed the top off.

On and on the scenario continued. Each successive owner had the same problem and each pruned the tree from the top and gifted the top to another until at last, even a wee mouse had shared Mr. Willowby's beautiful Christmas tree with his tiny family.

Written in rhyme, this fun Christmas story carries a happy message about the joy of sharing.

Librarian's choice

Library: Sutter Branch Library, 2147 California St., Sutter

Library Director: Karen Crocker

Choices this week: "Winter's Gift" by Jane Monroe Donovan; "Stanley's Party" by Linda Bailey; "Kira Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata

Books to buy

The following books are available at your favorite bookstores.

• "The Paper Bag Christmas" by Kevin Alan Milne, Center Street, 2008, 150 pages, $14.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 9 and older

Read yourself: age 9 — 10 and older

Reluctantly, at the insistence of their father, 9-year-old Molar and his older brother, Aaron, are standing in line at the mall, waiting to see Santa Claus. Both boys no longer believed in Santa, but this year, the tradition seemed particularly important to their dad.

Santa's assistants passed out papers and pencils and directed everyone to write their Christmas list to hasten the process along. When Molar and Aaron finally met with Santa, he informed them they wouldn't be getting anything they asked for. Instead, they would get everything they never wanted.

With that, Santa (actually Dr. Chris Ringle, a pediatric oncologist) convinces the boys to volunteer as Santa's elves at the hospital children's ward for the holiday. Each boy is asked to bring holiday cheer to the young cancer patients. Additionally, each boy is asked to befriend a specific patient — two children who particularly need a friend.

What each boy learns is something they could have never have imagined, something that changed their lives in the deepest, most meaningful way.

A heartwarming, moving tale, "The Paper Bag Christmas" provides a beautiful and moving reminder of the true joy of life, selfless acts, friendship and the holiday season.

• "Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem" by Maya Angelou, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, schwartz & wade books, 2008, 40 pages, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: all ages

Read yourself: age 6 — 7 and older

Maya Angelou's bestselling book, "Amazing Peace," is now available in this exquisitely illustrated edition. At once simple and powerfully moving, this poem is a call to all people, regardless of the color of their skin, their religion or whatever else they think may divide them, to join with their community to hear and feel and reach together for the promise of peace.

Angelou first read her beautiful, stirring poem at the 2005 White House tree-lighting ceremony. This beautifully illustrated book is combined with a CD recording of Dr. Angelou reading her poem, making this selection perfect for the whole family to share.

Kendal A. Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net.