My shelves are as full of holiday books as a bulging Christmas stockings, but I can't stop collecting! I rationalize by reminding myself that a definite part of our holiday tradition is to end each dark evening with a book which shines as brightly as a holiday candle.
Monica Greenfield captures young children's excitement of Christmas' advent and satisfaction at its arrival in Waiting for Christmas (Scholastic, $15.95; ages 3-6). The words she chooses are simple and warm. Word and illustrative images cover all the i elements of the holiday, the most important of which are love and family.
I-Can-readers favorite detective stars in Nate the Great and the Crunch Christmas (Delacorte, $13.95; ages 5-8). En route to solving the mystery of why his best friend's dog Fang didn't receive his mother's Christmas card, Nate delivers gifts of humor and mystery, wrapped up in an easy to read format.
This year there are beautiful new versions of old holiday favorites. The enchantment of E.T.A. Hoffman's Nutcracker is paired with the amazing illustrations of award-winning Florentine artist Roberto Innocenti (Creative Editions, HBJ, $35.00; ages nine to adult). Like tiny reindeer, appears 'Twas the Night B'fore Christmas: An African American Version retold and illustrated by Melodye Rosales (Scholastic $12.95; all ages) which marries African-American dialect and traditions with the fun of Christmas.
For those to whom holiday means song, the twelve days of Christmas appears in three new remarkable books. Frances Tyrrell's Woodland Christmas (Scholastic, $15.95; ages 0 and up) is set in majestic northern forests and beautifully drawn animals illustrate he story of the lavish courtship of two black bear. Robert Sabuda's The Twelve Days of Christmas : A Pop-up Celebration (Little Simon, $19.95) is a remarkable recreation with white pop-ups that will stun and surprise people of all ages. Woodleigh Hubbard's bold graphic illustrations playfully frolic through the pages of Twelve Days of Christmas (Chronicle, $15.95). There's humor and surprises as she translates the typical images in a whole new way. Four calling birds call each other on the phone, six geese are laying asleep in a large bed and the three French hens sport berets. At the back of the book you'll find twelve whimsical ornaments to hang on your tree.
Two elegant stories recount the story of the first Christmas. Andrew Clements' Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers (Clarion, $15.95; ages 5 and up) is poetically told from the perspective of an angel. Glowing Illustrations by Kate Kiesler record the beauty of the event and several aerial views make you feel as if you're seeing from on high. The Christmas story is told in a cumulative way using the "house that Jack built" style in This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar (HBJ, $16.00). Joyce reveals the miraculous nature of the first Christmas and the glorious art of Gary Blythe is a perfect accent. He makes faces and scenes glow with the rich emotion of the mystery.
Music, storytelling and illustrative majesty unite in Brian Gleeson's The Savior is Born (Rabbit Ears, $19.95; ages 8 and up). The story, spanning from the annunciation to Herod's death, is told with a flavor of Old Testament language and accompanied by the glorious art of Robert Van Nutt whose illustrations were inspired by the great European cathedrals. And there's more. The book comes with a CD that finds Morgan Freeman reading the text with interspersed carols sung by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Oxford, England.
Patricia Polacco unites the magic and meaning of both Christmas and Hanukkah in The Trees of the Dancing Goats (Simon and Schuster, $16.00; ages 6 and up). As Trisha and her family happily prepare for Hanukkah, they discover most of their Christian neighbors are quarantined with scarlet fever. Empathetic and compassionate, the entire family turns their attentions to giving, delivering small trees trimmed with carvings originally intended for Hanukkah gifts and a lovely dinner of roast chicken. Later kindnesses are returned and the happy family witnesses a Hanukkah miracle amidst the generosity of their neighbors. Through story, Polacco embodies so many of the miraculous holiday feelings and shows how giving, uniting of family and community, and friendship are common to all holiday traditions.
Every year we celebrate the holiday season by taking out special books for nightly reading. And every year we add to our collection with books that grow in number and variety. I've noticed that, books, like all the December holidays, are filled with lights and the special brightness that comes from the warmth of tradition and family.
The Tie Man's Miracle: A Chanukah Tale (Morrow, $16.00; ages 8 and up) is written by Steven Schnur and illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson. Seth, eager to light candles on the last night of Chanukah, is disappointed by the interruption of the somber tie man, who remembers his own family that died in the war. The tie man is persuaded to stay for candles, dinner, and a conversation of painful remembering. Rather than leave in sadness, he relates an old tale of miracle; when all nine candles extinguish at the same time, a wish is carried right to the ear of God. Seth, lingering over the dying candles, beholds this Chanukah miracle and wishes the tie man could have his family back. For a brief moment he hears scurrying feet and laughter before there is a silent dark. Schnur relates the story gently, respectfully leaving room for family discussion about Holocaust and miracle, preserving a quiet tension between telling truths and leaving room for wonder. Johnson's watercolors are reserved in brightness, but there is a wealth of emotion within the faces he paints.
Jean Ciavonne's Carlos, Light the Farolito (Clarion, $14.95; ages 5 and up) finds a small Mexican boy waiting for the return of his parents and grandfather. It's the final night of Las Posadas and Carlos' grandfather is always the one who sings the words that welcome neighbors into his home for celebration. It grows later and later and when the costumed Mary and Joseph arrive and Carlos must bravely sing out the song of the innkeeper who denies them entrance. He begins timidly and then the song sweetens and he heralds in the happy celebration and welcomes in his own returning family as well. Custom and familial caring serve as a warm background for a young boy whose courage earns him new privileges of participation.
David Shannon gives a vision of holiday observance gone wild in The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza (Scholastic, $15.95; ages 6 and up). When Mr. Merriweather places a small string of lights around his front door to celebrate the season, his neighbor Mr. Clack mocks the paltry show of lights, for he's "got seventeen strings of lights and they blink on and off!" Merriweather takes this as a direct challenge and before long his lawn is planted with overgrown candy canes, gigantic snowmen and a monstrous Santa rise above his home and there are countless elves, lights, and toy soldiers perched atop bushes and roof. His neighbors, infuriated by the lights and tourists, gather a Christmas vigilante crew, armed with croquet mallets and golf clubs to "slash, bash and trash" everything in sight. In the light of day, his ashamed neighbors apologize and attempt to make amends, but Merriweather, no longer blinded by the holiday lights, has found something he lost while decking his halls--the joy of being with his family and the anticipation of Easter's arrival.
Mary D. Lankford gives a global picture of holiday in her Christmas Around the World (Morrow, $16.00; ages 7 and up). After a brief chronology of Christmas Past, Lankford launches readers into a tour of twelve countries who make Christmas uniquely their own. Lankford herself was amazed by her research and her writing reflects her appreciation of differences, sameness, the range of customs, and the effect geography lends to the uniqueness of celebration. Whether she tells of the sports and foods of Ethiopia's Timkat or the beach picnics in Australia, her descriptions are filled with facts and feeling. The book ends with crafts and sayings that can add international flavor to your Christmas festivities.
Holiday children's books become more diverse every year. A decade ago, Christmas books flowed, Hanukkah books trickled, and Kwanzaa books were non-existent. Books might be diverse in holiday and theme, but in all the season's sterling books, family ranks high. Children's most desired gifts aren't really Nintendo or Barbies. What children want most is tradition and family warmth. The best books prove that.
Christmas, historically and today, has many different traditions of celebration. One of the most dramatic portrayals ever written is Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia and Frederick McKissack (Scholastic, $15.95; ages 8 and up). Set at Christmas, 1859 on a Virginia plantation, the story has a double beginning as a small child in the Big House asks how long to Christmas and is told thirty-five days. In the Quarters, a young black child wonders about the "Big Times" and is told "not long after shoe-wearing time."
The McKissack's follow the particulars of preparation, celebration and aftermath, weaving in stories, songs, and custom of both worlds. They present all elements with great specificity, wisely avoiding judgments and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. The wealth of facts are balanced with the tender intimacies in both houses that bring about the book's emotional potency and the genuineness of all characters. Throughout the plantation, all fell the tension as time-honored customs are threatened by the war's imminence. Illustrations by John Thompson show the artist's meticulous research and his dedication to realistically portraying the richness of the lives and the emotions of the entire plantation.
This year, Christmas stories from all over the world give children global, rather than sugar plum visions. Barbara Cooney turns her amazing illustrative talents to a Tirol tale retold by Ruth Sawyer, The Remarkable Christmas of the Cobbler's Sons (Viking, $14.99; ages 5-10). In this book also there is a miracle wrought by a stranger when the king of the goblins visits the house of an impoverished cobbler and brusquely rewards the three children for freeing him from the night's cold. Cooney once again displays her talent for understanding country life, natural beauty no matter how severe, and the magic that can happen when boys meet goblins.
Sometimes Christmas magic can happen between man and animals as in James Hoffman's The Christmas Wreath (School Zone, $12.95; ages 4-8). When exhausted elves want to make some present for the returning Santa, they manage a token gift of a scraggly wreath. A roaming polar bear trying to capture a candy cane from its branches, becomes entangled and wears the wreath necklace on a journey through ice and water. Each layer adds a special sparkle and and beauty to the wreath and when she finally removes the heavy burden at Santa's door, the brilliance of the ice crystals make a shimmering welcome for the returning Santa.
Robert Sabuda's The Christmas Alphabet (Orchard, $19.95; all ages) is a wonderful representation of the season's symbols, magic and spirit. Twenty-six elegant paper constructions will surprise and delight readers. Sabuda's skill and vision are sometimes breathtaking and always make one pause and remember the glories the symbols really hold.
For those that like to return to holiday favorites year after year, there are new versions to consider for your collection. Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Christmas stories have been gathered between the covers of A Little House Christmas (HarperCollins, $18.95; ages 8-12). Three traditional favorites come out with beautiful new illustrations: Christopher Manson's Good King Wenceslas (North-South Books, $14.95); Carol Heyer's The Gift of the Magic (Ideals, $14.95; ages 8 and up), P.J. Lynch's The Snow Queen (HBJ, $16.95) and the I-Can-Read Scrooge by Mark and Cathy Dubowski (Grosset & Dunlap, $3.50, $7.99; ages 5-9)
It is really interesting to watch the evolution of a genre. It hasn't been that many years since Hanukkah books were plentiful. now stories seem more important and settings more diverse.
Diana Conway's Northern Lights (Kar-Ben, $14.95, $5.95) takes place in Alaska. When a sudden storm grounds the plane of Sara and her doctor father and the young girl sorrows that she won't be home for Hanukkah. Left with a Yupik Eskimo family as her father makes rounds, Sara finds that the smells of fried bread remind her of latkes and in the warm cozy house she shares traditions with an Alaskan Sarah. The book does a marvelous job of expressing the differences of both cultures and uniting them through the universality of feelings.
Russia is the setting for Malka Penn's The Miracle of the Potato Latkes: A Hanukkah Story (Holiday House, $15.95; ages 4-8). Tante Golda makes the most delicious potato Latkes in all of Russia, but one year because of severe drought, she doesn't have potatoes enough to cook for her friends. When she provides for a beggar and her latkes nourish his body and soul, he reminds her "one miracle leads to another." Miraculously, Tante Golda finds a new potato each day beside her menorah, until on the last day she finds a wooden barrel full enough to provide for herself and for her friends until spring.
Kwanzaa, the African-American celebration of pride, is the third winter celebration that brings light into a season that's dark. Many of this season's new books are written to explain the holiday to the young. It's a difficult and admirable feat to represent the seven abstract principles like Kuichagulia (self-determination) and imani (faith) so that a young child can understand. Synthia Saint James manages to pull this off marvelously well in The Gifts of Kwanzaa (Whitman, $14.95; ages 4-9). Part of the success comes from the powerful bold colors that she chooses for her abstracts. The rest of the success comes from her flowing style of telling, wisely delivered from a child's vantage point. She begins with things that are first apparent and important to a child such as the symbols and children's roles, and then describes the seven principals in a spirited simple child-centered way.
There are three new paperbacks that will help people bring Kwanzaa into their homes. Cheryl Willis Hudson's Kwanzaa: Sticker Activity Book (Scholastic, $2.95); Sharon Gayle's Kwanzaa: An African American Holiday (Watermill, $1.95) and Kathy Ross' Crafts for Kwanzaa (Millbrook, $6.95).
Every year mainstream publishing houses contribute titles to a growing collection of holiday books. The common denominator is usually the season itself, but this year there are strong multicultural themes running through many of the new releases. Parents have cause to rejoice over quality books for all ages with diverse representation. In a season whose message is peace on earth, it seems an appropriate time to celebrate both diversity and universality.
It used to be that one would only find Christmas stories in this season of celebrations, but now fall holidays from other cultures are gaining better representation. Jewish holidays are gaining better representation than any others. Excellent for fall and all year round is Malka Drucker's A Jewish Holiday ABC. Through the year we follow a family who is exhuberantly involved in everything from filling the sukkah with fruits and vegetables to singing to the universe on Rosh Hashanah. (Ages 3-6; HBJ, $13.95)
Songs of Chanukah are compiled by Jeanne Modesitt, illustrated with warm glowing colors by her husband, Robin Spowart and arranged by Uri Ophir, an Israeli musician-composer. The fourteen songs range from contemporary to traditional songs and cover a wide range of Chanukah traditions and moods. Accompanying the songs are brief explanations of the history of the traditions. The is an excellent family song resource book. (Ages 0-5; Little Brown, $15.95)
Eric Kimmel is a storyteller who is generating numbers of excellent Jewish stories that children of all backgrounds enjoy. This year he retells eight tales in The Spotted Pony: A Collection of Hanukkah Stories. There is one for every night of Chanukah, each one preceded by a brief shammes story which is a tradition Kimmel learned from his grandmother. The volume, illustrated by prize-winning artist, Leonard Everett Fisher, is a perfect family read aloud for children seven and up. (Holiday House, $14.95)
This year Deborah M. Newton Chocolate publishes My First Kwanzaa Book for very young children. The text is simple enough very young participants and illustrations by Cal Massey extend the feelings of warmth, tradition, and family at the core of this celebration. The book can be extended to older readers with the short explanations of history, the Seven Principals, symbols and words included in the back. (Ages 2- 5; Scholastic, $10.95)
Parents who are bringing this celebration to their children might be helped by the new revised edition of Cedric McClester's KWANZAA: Everything You Always Wanted to Know But Didn't Know Where To Ask. (Gumbs & Thomas, Publishers, $5.95).
Author-illustrator Ann Grifalconi highlights a New Year's Ceremony of Beginnings in Flyaway Girl. Nsia is a long-legged girl who is perched on the edge of her young womanhood. Nsia's mother is torn between wanting her daughter to enjoy freedom and needing her help in preparing the family gathering. This is the first year that Nsia must work as well as play. Gathering special reeds for her mother, Nsia hears ancestral voices gently guarding her, surrounding her in the natural world and helping her transitioning into becoming "Wise Little Woman!" The artist describes her blending of photography, cut outs and paints as "magic realism" in which she allows African images speak for themselves. This is a book that has a strong connectedness to the earth and humanity and gives voice to the different feelings of crossing over from childhood to young adulthood. This is an excellent book to open vision of other cultures and help children who are moving away from child-held holiday beliefs to a more informed viewpoint. Ages 8- adult. (Little Brown, $15.95)
There are always a plethora of Christmas titles, but this year even advent calendars are marked by a better representation of differing cultures. Elisa Kleven, a writer- illustrator whose work has shown her commitment to representing many cultures, has designed an advent calendar whose twenty-four windows show pinatas, toys with ethnic diversity, and a variety of folk art styles. Now families who like to count down to Christmas, can build up cultural understanding at the same time.(All ages, Dutton, $6.95)
Parents who want to celebrate poetry and the true meaning of Christmas will enjoy sharing X.J. Kennedy's The Beasts of Bethlehem with their children. In nineteen poems, this leading American poet, visions the first Christmas from the eyes of the manger animals. Creature from the small snail who carries his own inn to the cow who warms the stall with her "clover breath" express themselves with nineteen different moods, view points, and philosophical outlook. Each poem is short in length, but long on word beauty and family discussion. Ages 7- adult. (McElderry, $13.95)
Caribbean rhythms and traditions shine brightly in Lynn Joseph's An Island Christmas. Little Rosie collects sorrel for Christmas pie, sucks sugarcane, watches her Tantie mix currants into cakes, dances to the parang band, and decorates a guava branch. The book is written in a dialect that adds to the telling without being difficult to read. Family intimacy and the child pleasure of holiday shines across cultures. Watercolors by Catherine Stock, accent the fun of festivities and the brightness of a holiday without snow. Ages 5-8. Clarion, $14.95.
It's not geography, but time that helps young readers vision another kind of Christmas in Maxinne Leighton's An Ellis Island Christmas. This is the story of six year old Krysia who leaves the hunger and military control of Poland to join her Papa in America. America, a place of food, flowers and freedom, sounds like "a fairy tale" at first. Krysia soon discovers that leaving means saying goodbye and choosing between her two beloved dolls. Travels begin with a long walk, continue on a crowded, dark, stench-ridden boat and end in a confusion of differing languages, foods, and currency. Krysia arrives on Ellis Island on Christmas eve and is comforted by kind people, her mother's surprise of her second doll and finally her Papa's arrival. Illustrator Dennis Nolan brings alive the era with careful costuming and detailing and an honesty reflection of the range of human emotions. Ages 5-8. (Viking, $15.00)
Thank You, Santa by Australian Margaret Wild is a year's collection of letters from Samantha and Santa. As Santa writes, "Hundreds of thousands of children write to me before Christmas, but I don't hear from many of them after Christmas." Woven in the exchange of letters is a view of climactic differences in different parts of the world and how they effect animals and the wishes and giving of one young girl. Illustrations by Kerry Argent combine reality of the natural world and the fantasy of this magic correspondence with a warmth that challenges climatic differences. Ages 5-8. (Scholastic, 12.95)
Elijah's Angel: A Story for Chanukah and Christmas by Michael Rosen is based on the life of Elijah Pierce, a wood carver, lay minister, barber, and educator from Columbus. The main character in the story is Michael who adores the elderly Elijah. When the first day of Chanukah falls on the same day as Christmas Eve, Elijah surprises Michael with the gift of a beautiful angel and telling him "I send prayers to all the wood I've ever carved; now you'll always be in my prayers." Michael is deeply honored and immediately treasures the gift, but begins to worry about bringing home a Christian guardian angel on the first night of Chanukah. Michael's wise parents assure him that "It's an angel of friendship. And doesn't friendship mean the same thing in every religion?" And on Christmas morning when the streets are empty, his Jewish family walks, their "footprints connecting our house and his barbershop in a perfect dotted line", so that Michael can give Elijah, his handmade menorah. For all eight nights of Chanukah, Elijah's menorah glows and highlights his beautiful carvings. The human connectedness and universal truths of this story are expressed with light humor. Aminah Brenda Robinson illustrates this story based on her memories of many hours spent creating stories and art by Elijah's side. Her illustrations shine with tribute as well as color. Ages 7-11. (HBJ, $14.95)
Part of the fun of the holiday season is the family play it generates. Children are eager to share the breathless magic with their parents. All too often adults get trapped in the wildness of preparation and forget to enjoy the sense of wonder they're working to create. Here are some 1992 books that will help you to forget the panic of busy and relax for a few minutes to experience the enchantment your children see.
The most important thing to warm up in the holiday season is your voice. Singing is for all ages and every year seems to bring a whole crop of beautifully illustrated song books. Even babies who lack the sense, will love the sounds.
This year there are two collections to help your house ring with the musical delights of the season. Songs of Chanukah are compiled by Jeanne Modesitt, illustrated with warm glowing colors by her husband, Robin Spowart and arranged by Uri Ophir, an Israeli musician-composer. The fourteen songs range from contemporary to traditional songs and cover a wide range of Chanukah traditions and moods. Accompanying the songs are brief explanations of the history of the traditions. The is an excellent family song resource book. (Ages 0-5; Little Brown, $15.95)
The Carolers, designed and illustrated by Georgia Guback, has a fascinating format. Along the bottom of every page stretches the music and words to ten well-known carols. The rest of each double page spread is taken up with a brilliantly-colored, carefully-detailed, wordless illustration showing inside and outside views of Christmas. Five carolers sing to different families and the families visited become infused with the joy of song and join the chorus. By the end of the book, thirty-three carolers sing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" to the reader This is a book that will serve not only as a springboard to song, but may lead to discussions of different customs and symbols. (Ages 2-5; Greenwillow, $14.00)
Two holiday favorites appear in intriguing form this year. Jolly Old St. Nicholas is illustrated with old-fashion warmth by Donna Race. To increase the interactive appeal, the book plays the song and adds flashing lights to further captivate young children. (Ages 0-5; Aladdin Books, $11.95)
The Twelve Days of Christmas, illustrated by Jonathan Lambert, is a package-shaped book of twelve elegantly wrapped presents whose flaps reveal intricate portrayals of the twelve treasures of song fame. (Ages 2-5; Simon & Schuster, $12.00)
Two familiar songs are expressed with holiday cheer this year. The lullaby "Hush Little Baby" is adapted and illustrated by Joan Elizabeth Goodman into Hush Little Darling. As with the original, the Christmas mishaps end with a loving, "You'll still be the sweetest little child I know." (ages 0-4; Scholastic, $4.95). Jane Taylor's original poem Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star finds new meaning when Julia Noonan illustrates it with a Christmas interpretation. Her rich paintings follow one star that helps two small children and guides Santa to their hearts' desires. (Ages 0-4; Scholastic, $10.95.
For those who want support in singing, Shelly Duvall, one of children's entertainment multi-media giants, releases Hello I'm Shelly Duvall...Merry Christmas . Her original songs like "I Wish Every Day Could Be Christmas" are fresh, imaginative and have the same quality and integrity as all Shelly Duvall's work for children. (Available with songbook in cassette $7.98 and compact disc $11.98 from Rincon Children's Entertainment/Ode)
Part of our holiday traditions include advent calendars that help us count down the days and build up the excitement. Dutton provides two happy formats. Elisa Kleven's festively decorates her twenty-four windows with folk art and a dozens of tradition that will enable families to talk about multicultural aspects of celebration. (All ages, $6.95)
For the warmth of a New England holiday, is an Advent calendar celebrating the American art of Norman Rockwell in his hometown of Stockbridge, Massachusetts. ( All ages, $13.95)
Sue Dreamer uses rhythm and rhyme and a pop-up format to introduce traditions to the very young in A Teddy Bear Christmas. The small format seems made for little hands and the pop-up reveals a playful joy that extends and makes personal the tradition. (Ages 1-4 ; Boyds Mills Press, Inc, $7.95)
David Carter's Jingle Bugs is for the whole family to laugh over. Goofy riddle rhymes like "Who's in the chimney, warm and snug?/ Ho, ho, ho! It's Santa Bug!" will appeal to an older child. Younger child will love the surprises of peek-a-boos, participation and the musical ending. Parents will appreciate the cleverness of design and the zany wildness the author inspires. (Ages 2- adult, Simon and Schuster, $16.00)
For parents who want to portray the reason for the fun, there is also a three-dimensional Christmas Diorama illustrated by Carole Gray. The front cover ties to the back to create a circular pop-up story of the first Christmas. There are cut outs that children can use to "become" the characters while parents read the simply written text by the picture. (Ages 2-5; Simon and Schuster, $13.00)
A playful, but respectful look at the first Christmas can be found in Nicholas Allan's Jesus' Christmas party. The story is told from the point of the inn keeper who "loves his goodnight sleep" and is continually awakened by arriving guests, lots of requests, a troublesome shining star...until an angle chorus rouses him into having his own look. He is so overwhelmed that he has to wake all his other guests to come see. This is a Christmas story that will please the whole family. There's repetition and chorusing for the very young, a playful retelling for children old enough to know the original story and humor that will be appreciated by all ages. (Ages 3-adult; Random House, $9.99)
This year Deborah M. Newton Chocolate publishes My First Kwanzaa Book for very young children. The text is simple enough very young participants and illustrations by Cal Massey extend the feelings of warmth and tradition and family so important to this holiday. The book can be extended to older readers with the short explanations of history, the Seven Principals, symbols and words. (Ages 2- 5; Scholastic, $10.95)
Parents who are bringing this celebration to their children might be helped by the new revised edition of Cedric McClester's KWANZAA: Everything You Always Wanted to Know But Didn't Know Where To Ask. (Gumbs & Thomas, Publishers, $5.95).
Excellent for fall holidays and those all year round is Malka Drucker's A Jewish Holiday ABC. Through the year we follow a family who is enthusiastically involved in everything from sing the Shabbat Kiddush to singing to the universe on Rosh Hashanah. (Ages 3-6; HBJ, $13.95)
For children that are old enough for a real story, but still young enough to destroy books, two holiday favorites been re-issued in board book form. Alexandra Day's Carl's Christmas is a wordless holiday romp of the mischievous baby and dog (Farrar Straus Giroux,$5.95) and Christmas with Angelina, the celebrated mouse ballerina (Random House, $5.95). Christmas classics The First Christmas by Robbie Trent and Clement Moore's The Night Before Christmas appear in board book form. (Ages 18mo-4 years; HarperCollins, $4.95). Together in one package come four carols from Michael Hague illustrated with woodland animals and just the right small size for holding ($4.95 each from Holiday House)
Every holiday season, I end our nightly readings with a special story. I add yearly to our collection. Children who are ready for a story will also be ready for the fresh perspective of Thank You, Santa by Australian Margaret Wild. This is a year's collection of letters from Samantha and Santa. As Santa writes, "Hundreds of thousands of children write to me before Christmas, but I don't hear from many of them after Christmas." Woven in the exchange of letters is a view of climactic differences in different parts of the world and how they effect animals but especially the wishes and giving of one young girl. Illustrations by Kerry Argent combine reality of the natural world and the fantasy of this magic correspondence with a warmth that challenges climatic differences. Ages 4 -8. (Scholastic, 12.95)
The most powerful holiday book I've read is a 1982 book called Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Warmth Back Into the Season by Jo Robinson and Jean Staeheli (Morrow, $6.95). The authors learned from talking to parents, children and child specialists that there are four things children really want for Christmas. Those are: relaxed and loving time with family, realistic expectations about gifts, an evenly-paced holiday season and strong family traditions. Books can satisfy most of these needs and help to create an "unplugged" holiday. There are a multitude of special holiday books celebrating the magic, fun, and spirit of the holiday season for children of all ages, from nine to ninety.
Board books can help babies sort out the elements of the holiday whirl that surrounds them. Eloise Burns Wilkin in her Baby's Christmas shows several of the traditional facets of the holiday that delight a young child. Her wide-eyed beautiful children are amazed by the lights of the Christmas tree and enchanted by freshly-balked Christmas cookies in this participatory book that faithfully portrays the child's point of view. Ages one to two. (Random House, $3.50)
Tomie de Paola is an illustrator who has done so many books that children literally grow up with him. Mr. de Paola reaches the youngest audience with two board books entitled Baby's First Christmas. and My First Chanukah. The illustrations are clear and bold and include many of the symbols that a baby sees during the holidays. Ages one to two. (Putnam, $4.95)
Singing is a great way to spend relaxing time together, sharing enjoyment while relieving the tensions of the season. Remember you don't have to be an opera star. Children don't mind tone-deaf singers. They will be engulfed in the experience and so will you. Our favorite part of the holidays is an annual caroling/potluck party with friends.
There are many holiday songs that have been translated into luscious illustrations by talented artists. One of my favorites is Jan Brett's Twelve Days of Christmas. Each of the twelve days in this lively song represents customs and costumes of different cultures. Each is carefully detailed and brilliantly colored. This creates a book that functions at a number of different levels. A baby or toddler will enjoy the song, a young child will enjoy the intricacy of the boarders and an older child can learn about how different countries of the world celebrate the holiday. Ages 6 months- adult. Hardcover only. (Dodd, Mead, $13.95) An older child will appreciate a variation on this song in Emma's Christmas in which a country lass i courted by a prince. Humor in text and illustration abound and add plot to the carol. Ages 4- adult. (Orchard, $13.95)
Another rousing holiday song, Good King Wenceslas , has been illustrated by Jamichael Henterly. Henterly's illustrations demonstrate his awe-inspiring appreciation of nature and human relationships. The colors he chooses are rich and glowing. All ages. (Dial, $11.95)
Books provide a way for children to moderate the hustle and bustle of the season swirling around them. Wordless books provide a focus to talk about what is going on while making holidays more accessible to the very young. Peter Spier's Christmas show us the anticipation, the glory, the warmth and the exhaustion of Christmas in ninety full-color detailed illustrations. This book creates a great way for children to slow down during the holiday and ask questions or just examine the season at their leisure. Ages 3 and up. (Doubleday, $11.95, $6.95)
Emily Arnold McCully has a wordless book series about a little mouse family whose members share a lovely intimacy. In The Christmas Gift the protagonist (the next to smallest mouse who wears a wristwatch) loves his present more than any of his siblings love theirs. When it is ruined, so is his Christmas, until his understanding Grandpa finds something special to take its place. The story provides a focus for expectations about gifts and the importance of the feelings and relationships behind giving. Ages 3 to 6. (Harper and Row, $12.95)
Stress increases at holiday time and children's sibling relations can be a primary source of tension for them (and you). There are holiday sibling books that can create a pause for family discussion and renewal of love within the family.
In Happy Christmas, Gemma by Sarah Hayes, a small boy tries to enjoy his holiday despite his busy toddler sister who seems determined to destroy everything in her sight. There is a strong intimacy in this family whose members forgive Gemma lovingingly and take time to show their love for far-away family at holiday time. Ages 2 to 6. (Lothrop, $13.00)
Cecily's Christmas by Iris Van Rynbach is the story of two female siblings. Unlike Gemma, Cecily is old enough to be aware of Christmas, but she has her own ways of celebrating. She would rather take home the Christmas tree sign instead of the tree and when her sister Amelie is in the school play, Cecily sings Jingle Bells in the aisle. On Christmas, however, Cecily is the first one up, bringing presents to everyone and wishing them a Merry Christmas. Again, there is a strong family warmth and understanding as well as a female character who has a strong, independent spirit. Ages 2-6. (Greenwillow, $11.95)
Rosemary Wells is known for her sibling books and two of the best characters she ever created are Max and Ruby. They have outgrown the board book format in Max's Christmas. Here, Max is a toddler who asks a million questions and frustrates everyone to no end (even Santa Claus). Everyone answers in exasperation "Because!" and has an underlying tender feeling for the poor little confused bunny. There's a surprise ending that will delight readers of all ages. Ages two and up. (Dial, $7.95)
Audrey Wood's The Horrible Holidays tells the story of Alf, an only child, who has a sibling-type relationship with his cousin Mert. This I-Can-Read celebrates the "No-Thanksgiving", "The Crummy Christmas" and the "UnHappy New Year" that poor Alf is tormented by Mert. Dialogue is kid-natural and the humor is hysterical. This is a book to be enjoyed by the whole family. Ages 4- adult. (Dial, $9.95)
There are many, many holiday books that contain beloved characters or are written by authors already well known to children. Generally, the characters act true to form and the stories fall into a comfortable, familiar pattern. These stories are mostly for the five to eight year old audience. Following are a few familiar titles and authors: Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline's Christmas (Viking, $13.95, $3.95); Laurent de Brunhoff's Babar and Father Christmas (Random House, $16.95, $6.95); Tomie de Paola's Merry Christmas, Strega Nona (Harcourt, $12.95); Arlene Dubanevich's Pigs at Christmas (Bradbury, $13.95); Jack Gantos' Rotten Ralph's Rotten Christmas (Houghton Mifflin, $3.95); James Herriot's The Christmas Day Kitten (St. Martins, $10.95); Holabird's Angelina's Christmas (Crown, $9.95); James Marshall's Merry Christmas, Space Case (Dial, $10.95); Graham Oakley's Church Mice at Christmas (Macmillan, $10.95, Scholastic, $4.95); and, Peggy Parish's Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia (Avon, $2.95).
Many times parents want to let their children know the origins of Christmas and to help them understand the meaning behind the madness. The miracle of the nativity, difficult for adults to fully understand the meaning behind the madness. The miracle of the nativity, difficult for adults to fully understand, can be difficult to explain to children. My recommendation is to use books which have a simple text and make the story come alive with illustrations. Below are several suggestions.
Pop-up books must be excellent to win my approval, Tomie de Paola's The First Christmas: A Festive Pop-up fits this category. Not only does the text explain the nativity with simplicity, but the pop-up pictures can be set up to provide a visual decoration for the holiday season. Ages three to six. (Putnam, $12.95)
Barbara Berger has taken a very different approach in her Donkey's Dream. The story of the nativity is told from the point of view of the donkey who carries Mary on his back. There is a glowing spiritual quality to the illustrations which adds to the message without being syrupy. Ages three and up. (Philomel, $13.95)
If you want a more classic retelling you may enjoy Julie Vivas' illustrations in The Nativity. Thought the text is traditional, there is whimsy in Vivas' illustrations which show the Angel Gabriel with tattered tie-dyed wings, Mary looking around to find she suddenly has a fully-developed baby belly and Joseph having quite a time boosting Mary up on the donkey. The humor of illustration balanced with the classicism of text combine to make the story and characters completely human. This is the only first Christmas story I've ever seen where the baby is Middle Eastern in appearance as you would imagine he would be. Ages four and up. (Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, $13.95)
In reviewing holiday books, I must say that I notice a lack of well-written, well-illustrated multi-cultural, multi-religious picture books which are suited to the young child.
Many times I am asked for Hanukkah book recommendations and have undergone a great deal of frustration trying to unearth these. Finally there are several I feel happy to suggest.
Beautifully written and illustrated by Jane Breskin Zalben, Beni's First Chanukah tells the story of Beni, the bear who shares Chanukah with his squirrel friends. It is a good way to talk about different celebrations and sharing festivities as well. There is a strong sense of family and family traditions that come across in both text and illustration. Ages 4 to 8. Hardcover only. (Henry Holt, $12.95)
Just Enough is Plenty by Barbara Diamond Goldin tells the tale of Makla and her poor family who live in Poland. They have "just enough" to share and do so with a stranger one Hanukkah night. The lovely folk feeling of text and illustration charm as much as the miracle of the story. Ages 5-10. (Viking, $12.95)
Older readers will appreciate Susan Sussman's Hanukkah: Eight Lights Around the World. This book is a series of eight short stories allowing us to see Hanukkah celebrated in eight different countries around the world. All stories are poignant, reveal a great deal about different cultures and forms of celebration and include important themes of peace, freedom of worship and importance of women. Each ends with the word, "Forever." This seems to link not only the stories, but a variety of cultures and feelings. A great book to Ages seven to twelve. (Whitman, $10.25 )
In Pedro, the Angel of Olvera Street, Leo Politi tells the story of Pedro, a small boy who lives in Los Angeles and, through his eyes, we experience a Mexican American experience complete with Posada procession and a pinata. Written many years ago, this book brings alive Mexican-American traditions as well as Pedro. Ages five to eight. (Out of print, but available at many libraries).
Ann Tompert's The Silver Whistle tells the story of Miguel who plans to buy a special silver whistle to give to the Infant at the Procession of Gifts concluding the holiday festivals. Miguel gives instead many gifts of love and a handmade sculpture that brings about a miraculous ending. Beth Peck's illustrations give a good representation to life in Oaxaca, Mexico and the warmth and love in the story. Ages 4-8. (Macmillan, $14.95)
My mother's favorite memory of Christmas was a special tea her grandmother hosted for dolls. Imagine my surprise when I discovered Tasha Tudor's The Doll's Christmas (McKay, $6.95, $4.95). It delighted me to think that a book could create a ritual that becomes a child's fondest memory.
Some Christmas tales become ritual in and of themselves. Perhaps the most famous is Clement Moore's The Night Before Christmas. There are a variety of renditions of which I am very fond, but I think that personal taste in illustration will govern which version you choose to own. Here are some of my favorite illustrations: de Paola (Holiday House, $13.95, $5.95); Diane Goode (Random House, $1.25); Scott Gustafson (Knopf, $10.95); Hague (Henry Holt, $9.95); Anita Lobel (Knopf, $10.99, $3.95); and Tasha Tudor (Macmillan, $9.95).
Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express received the Caldecott award in 1985 and has already become a classic. The story tells of a boy who no longer knows whether or not he believes in Santa. On Christmas Eve, a lavish train pulls up to his door to take him and other children to the North Pole where he is chosen to receive the first Christmas gift from Santa, a bell that rings for "all who truly believe". Never has there been a book that quite so encapsulates strength of belief and eternal youth of holidays. Chris Van Allsburg's hauntingly beautiful text and illustrations will remind children and adults alike of the magic of the season. This book to be read many times around the holidays and requested all through the year. It is now accompanied by a wonderful tape recorded by William Hurt. Ages four and up. (Houghton Mifflin, $22.95)
Every holiday there seems to appear a timeless Christmas story that a family can add to a collection of books to share together every holiday season. Gloria Houston's The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree is one of these. Ruthie, growing up during World War I, goes with her father one summer to select the perfect Christmas tree for the small Appalachian town in which she lives. When Papa goes off to war, Ruthie and her mother fulfill the promise Papa made and prepare with hope for the holiday season. Town traditions and family courage and power make this an extraordinary tale that is enhanced even more by the illustrations of Barbara Cooney. (Dial, $12.95)
And last, just one more plug for Unplug the Christmas Machine which defines typical roles and holiday depressions and then gives us a plethora of methods and ideas for escaping them and finding the warmth and love we associate with the season.
Every holiday there seems to appear timeless holiday stories that a family can add to a collection of books to share together every holiday season. Jan Brett's art has made her well-loved by adults and children alike. This year she writes an original story called The Wild Christmas Reindeer which tells of Santa's helper, Teeka who is asked to get the reindeer ready. Teeka learns that working in team work with warm hugs and gentle words produces a much better effect than strictness, bossing and yelling. As Teeka learns her lesson, Brett's boarders show the other helpers busily preparing for Christmas as the days count down. Ages 3-6. (Putnam, 1990)
Eric Kimmel tells a wonderful tale that families will love hearing again and again in The Chanukkah Guest. Bubba Brayna, at ninety some does not hear or see as well as she once did. She does however make the best potato latkes in the village. When a bear issues himself an invitation, he is mistaken for the rabbi, and Kimmel's fun and humor abound in the telling as well as the situation. Giora Carmi's illustrations extend and at the same time anchor the ridiculous story well with a realistic approach. (Holiday House, 1990)
Many times parents want to let their children know the origins of Christmas to understand the meaning behind the madness. If you want a classic retelling of the first Christmas, you may enjoy Julie Vivas' recent illustration of The Nativity. Though the text is traditional,there is whimsy in Vivas' illustrations. She shows the Angel Gabriel with tattered tie-dyed wings , Mary looking around to find she suddenly has a fully developed a baby belly and Joseph having quite a time hoisting Mary up on the donkey. The humor of illustration balanced with the classicism of text combine to make the story and characters altogether human. Ages four and up. (Harcourt, Brace and Jovanovich, $13.95)
Many times I am asked for Chanukah book recommendations and have undergone much frustration trying to unearth these. Finally this year will appear a delightful book for young readers. Beautifully written and illustrated by Jane Breskin Zalben, Beni's First Chanukah tells the story of Beni, the bear who shares Chanukah with his squirrel friends. It is a good way to talk about different celebrations and sharing festivities as well. There is a strong sense of family and family traditions that come across in both text and illustration. Ages 4 to 8. Hardcover only. (Henry Holt, $12.95)
Also new this year is Susan Sussman's Hanukkah: Eight Lights Around the World. This book is a series of eight short stories allowing us to see Hanukkah celebrated in eight different countries around the world. All stories are poignant, reveal a great deal about different cultures and forms of celebration and include important themes of peace, freedom of worship and importance of women. Each ends with the word, "Forever." This seems to link not only the stories, but a variety of cultures and feelings. A great book to Ages seven to twelve. (Whitman, $10.25 )
Every holiday there seems to appear a timeless Christmas story that a family can add to a collection of books to share together every holiday season. My favorite this year is Gloria Houston's The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree. Ruthie, growing up during World War I, goes with her father one summer to select the perfect Christmas tree for the small Appalachian town in which she lives. When Papa goes off to war, Ruthie and her mother fulfill the promise Papa made and prepare with hope for the holiday season. Town traditions and family courage and power make this an extraordinary tale that is enhanced even more by the illustrations of Barbara Cooney. (Dial, $12.95)
The story of Chanukah is the subject of two well-illustrated books. Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights is written by Jenny Koralek and illustrated by Juan Wijngaard. The writing is filled with images, emotions and has a very personal feel. The illustrations, each framed as if in a pillared doorway have a monochromatic feel that gives an excellent sense of history. Ages 4-8. (Lothrop, 1990)
The Story of Hanukkah with paintings by Ori Sherman and text by Amy Erlich tells the same story with a different feel. The style is folk-art and the text mirrors the art by accenting the human drama of a people struggling courageously to achieve freedom. Ages 5-10. (Dial, 1989)
For older children, The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns is a guide to traditions. The author's introduction cites purposes as exploring traditions, , ways to make celebrations personal, and feelings about this holiday. The book abounds in things to cook, make and think about. The author's writing style is personable, sensitive and accessible. Ages 9-12. (Avon, 1991)
There are several writers who have contributed much to the quality Chanukah fiction. One is Eric Kimmel. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins tells the story of the tired and hungry Hershel of Ostropol who is sure that he will find happy warm Hanukkah greetings and food at a village. He doesn't because the village is plagued by goblins that haunt the old synagogue. The clever Herschel takes on and outwits three goblins in a night and releases the village from the haunts. Kimmel blends circumstance, chills and comedy in his telling. Trina Schart Hyman does the same in her illustrations. Ages 4-8. (Holiday House, 1989)
Jane Breskin Zalben's Beni's First Chanukah tells the story of Beni, the bear who shares Chanukah with his squirrel friends. It is a good way to talk about different celebrations and sharing festivities as well. There is a strong sense of family and family traditions that come across in both text and illustration. Ages 4 to 8. Hardcover only. (Henry Holt, $12.95)
Just Enough is Plenty by Barbara Diamond Goldin tells the tale of Makla and her poor family who live in Poland. They have "just enough" to share and do so with a stranger one Hanukkah night. The lovely folk feeling of text and illustration charm as much as the miracle of the story. Ages 5-10. (Viking, $12.95)
For older readers is Susan Sussman's Hanukkah: Eight Lights Around the World. This book is a series of eight short stories allowing us to see Hanukkah celebrated in eight different countries around the world. All stories are poignant, reveal a great deal about different cultures and forms of celebration and include important themes of peace, freedom of worship and importance of women. Each ends with the word, "Forever." This seems to link not only the stories, but a variety of cultures and feelings. A great book to Ages seven to twelve. (Whitman, $10.25 )
Hanukkah! by Sara Freedland and Sue Clarke is subtitled a three-dimensional celebration. The joyous and festive quality of this pop-up really does leap from between the covers. The writing is buoyant and spotlights history, traditions and even includes a dreidel that can be put together. The background art seems modern and archetypal, is washed with golden highlights that make art just as three dimensional as this informing involving book. (Viking, $15.95)
Many are the books written to comfort Jewish children who are "deprived" of Christmas. Author Gloria Pushker takes a different approach in Toby Belfer Never Had A Christmas Tree. She tells the story of a young girl , the only Jewish child growing up in a small country town, who delights her Christian friends with the stories and fun of Hanukkah. Toby's family is warm and welcoming and woven into the story of cultural sharing are instructions for building a big menorah, a recipe for Potato Latkas, rules for dreidel and the tales, songs and prayers of the holiday. Ages 4-8. (Pelican Press)
About the time children are read for short novel reads is about the time they may really be feeling the unfairness of the Christian holiday hullabaloo around them. And that makes Susan Sussman's There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein doubly perfect. Robin sees all the joyous festivities and wonders why her family can't join in, especially when another Jewish child has a Chanukah Bush. Her kindly Grandfather sees her longing and invites her to his lodge's Christmas party. Robin is enthralled and questions again why she can't bring Christmas into her home. Grandpa's explanation is perfect. "There is a difference, " he tells her, "between celebrating something because you believe in it and helping friends celebrate something because they believe in it." Robin understands and plans a happy holiday sharing with her Christmas-celebrating friend Heather. Ages 6-9. (Whitman)