The month of December is a wonderful time to share holiday picture books, fiction, poetry and music. Books can be a part of the excitement as they bring people together to listen, enjoy and reminisce. Some even assist in planning the events of the season.
Following is a sampling of new titles and some not-so-new, all "treasures" that will delight readers of any age:Three celebrations this month - Christmas, the Jewish Hanukkah and African-American Kwanzaa - provide a time for many people to renew their spiritual beliefs and for us to appreciate the unique convictions of each other.
CHRISTMAS - THE BIRTH OF CHRIST:
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the Bible, the original telling of the birth of Christ, have been adapted into hundreds of different versions with varied illustrations to enhance the story. Two new picture books that retell the birth based on scriptures are "The Nativity" illustrated by Ruth Sanderson (Little Brown) and "The First Night" by B.G. Hennessy, painting by Steven Johnson and Lou Fancher (Viking). Sanderson's illustrations trace the story from Angel Gabriel's annunciation of Jesus's birth to the family's return to Nazareth from Egypt. Completed in a pre-Renaissance Italian style the parchment-colored pages resemble illuminated manuscripts showing tableaux of the familiar scenes. This is truly a book to treasure and share with anyone and a gift for someone who appreciates masterful artwork.
Hennessy's simple text allows the outstanding art to tell the story. Painted, then sketched and scratched on textured butternut wood, the scenes seem to glow as they were photographed and placed in the center of a stark creme-colored page opposite the simple text, "In the field were two shepherds and their sheep/and the sheep slept, a star moved out of the night sky."
An irascible donkey, Arod, who carries Mary to Bethlehem is the main character in a fantasy about the Holy Family. "The Christmas Donkey" by Gillian McClure (Farrar) is unique in that this animal is not a tender cooperative creature that is often portrayed in the scene of Mary and Joseph and the donkey. A happy resolution is found when Arod finally realizes his precious cargo and becomes humble.
Other Nativity books to enjoy: "The First Christmas" text from the New Testament and illustrated with paintings from the National Gallery in London (Simon and Schuster).
"A Child is Born" text adapted from the New Testament by Elizabeth Winthrop and illustrated by Charles Mikolaycaka (Holiday House).
"A Christmas Story" by Brian Wildsmith (Knopf).
"The Nativity" verses illustrated by Juan Wijngaard (Morrow).
"Spirit Child: A Story of the Nativity" translated from the Aztec by John Bierhorst and illustrated by Barbara Cooney (Viking). "Christmas Sky" by Franklyn Branley (Crowell).
"The Miracle Child: A Story from Ethiopia" by Elizabeth Laird with Abba Aregawi Woldi Gabriel (Holt).
HANUKKAH:
The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah had its beginning more than two thousand years ago (168 B.C.). It is also known as the "Feast of Lights" because of the custom of lighting candles on each of the eight holiday nights. This year the Hanukkah is from December 9-16.
Karla Kuskin's "A Great Miracle Happened There" (HarperCollins) is an example of an appealing contemporary book for this holiday. Kuskin's retelling of the Hanukkah story in the 1990s is less about the battle of the Maccabees than it is as a way to retain the true meaning of the celebration. Robert Andrew Parker's watercolor drawings are rich and modern with a warm humor making it appropriate for many ages.
"Hanukkah, Oh, Hanukkah! A Treasury of Stories, Songs and Games to Share" is edited by Wendy Wax with brightly illustrated paintings by John Speirs (Bantam). This collection includes poetry such as Aileen Fisher's "Light the Festive Candles" with retellings and original stories such as David Adler's "Malke's Secret Recipe." Recollections of famous writers' holiday celebrations make this a "must" for the season.
"Asher and the Capmakes: A Hanukkah Story," an original story by Eric A. Kimmel (Holiday House) draws on fairy tales from Ireland, England and Eastern Europe and joins other tales by this noted storyteller; "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins," a Caldecott Honor Book, "The Chanukkah Guest, The Hanukkah Tree" and "The Spotted Pony."
Two other books will be welcome additions to Jewish holidays: "Happy New Year, Beni" by Jane Breskin Zalben (Holt), which outlines Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and "Days of Awe: Stories for Rosh Hanashah and Yom Kippur" by Eric A. Kimmel (Puffin) that provides four stories about repentance, prayer and charity that will be meaningful throughout the year.
Other books about these holidays:
"Elijah's Angel: A Story for Hanukkah and Christmas" by Michael J. Rosen (Harcourt).
"Power of Light: Eight Stories for Hanukkah" Isaac Singer (Farrar).
"All the Lights in the Night" by Arthur A. Levine (Morrow).
"Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story" by Fran Manuskin (Scholastic).
KWANZAA:
These celebrations created in 1966 are patterned after harvest festivals that still occur in several parts of Africa and affirms what it means to be black in America. Based on seven basic principles - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith - a candle is lit each night to celebrate each of the seven values that it represents. Two new picture books about this seven-day celebration are "Celebrating Kwanzaa" by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith (HolidayHouse) and "Seven Candles for Kwanzaa" by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Dial).
The Hoyt-Goldsmith book tells the story of Kwanzaa through the eyes of a black teenager who lives in Chicago. Lavish with excellent photographs by Lawrence Migdale, the design and information is appropriate for readers of all ages and cultures. A brief glossary and map of Africa is included with quotations from well-known black leaders.
"Seven Candles for Kwanzaa" illustrated by Jerry Pinkney is more basic with pronunciation guides, phonetic spelling and a lesson or moral with each of the seven principles. The colorful scratch-line drawings and symbolic borders representing African countries makes this a welcome addition to gain information about the holiday.
Other books on Kwanzaa:
"The African-American Holiday of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture" M. Karenga (University of Sankore Press).
"Kwanzaa: Everything You Always Wanted to Know but Didn't Know Where to Ask" C. McClester (Gumbs and Thomas).
GIFTS AND THE GIFT-GIVERS
Some of the fun during the holidays is the surprise of visitors, the gifts that they bring and the ones we give back to them. Following are some stories about special presents and the bearers of those gifts which are related to the celebrations in December:
"A Dozen Silk Diapers" by Melissa Kajpust, illustrated by Veselina Tomova (Hyperion) is based on a German legend about the mother spider and her 40 babies that live in the rafters of the stable in Bethlehem. Their gift, which is like no other brought to the Christ Child, is a set of silk-spun diapers. What a delightful story! The animated illustrations (even spiders in medieval outfits) will fill those story-hours with much pleasure.
During the Depression gifts were meager, and "The Gingerbread Doll" by Susan Tews (Clarion) tells about how parents "made do" with homemade items. Rebecca hoped for a porcelain doll but her only present was a doll of gingerbread. "Mama had rolled the dough extra thick and used a knife to cut out the shape of a girl." In this heartwarming story, "Button Marie" is kept for years as a reminder of what Christmas is all about.
"Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present" by John Burningham (Candlewick). The reader of this funny story had better get used to saying Slumfenburger because Burningham uses it time and time again as Santa tries to deliver Harvey's present on foot and asks everyone on the way, "Excuse me . . . my name is Santa Claus. I still have one present left in my sack, which is for Harvey Slumfenburger, the little boy who lives in a hut at the top of the Roly Poly Mountain, which is far, far away. And it will soon be Christmas Day . . . " It's a mouthful but worth every syllable of it!
"Christmas Cowboy" by Sarah Wilson (Simon and Schuster) is contemporary fable set in a forgotten Western valley. Everyone there believes "No Christmas here and no miracles for 30 years come last Tuesday" until a cowboy restores the gift-giving spirit of love, laughter and happiness.
An intergenerational story of family togetherness is "A Christmas Surprise for Chabelita" by Argentina Palacios (Bridgewater). When Chabelita's mother has to leave the village to find work, the little girl lives with her grandparents. The special gift is when her mother returns to watch her school pageant but also brings a bouquet of red carnations.
Other stories about gifts and the gift-bearers:
"The Uninvited Guest and Other Jewish Holiday Tales" by Nina Jaffe (Scholastic).
"Christmas at Anna's" by Kate Spohn (Viking).
"Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian Carlo Menoit, illustrated by Michele Lemieux (Morrow).
"A Certain Small Shepherd" by Rebecca Caudill, illustrated by William Pene DuBois (Holt).
"Story of the Three Wise Men" by Tomi DePaola (Putnam).
"A Gift from Saint Francis: The First Creche" by Joanna Cole with illustrations by Michele Lemieux (Morrow).
"Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, illustrated by Lizbeth Zwerger (Picture Books Studios).
SANTA AND ALL HIS HELPERS:
Santa Claus as the giver of Christmas gifts came through the German tradition. But the stories reach widely into many cultures with various names and legends. Whether he's called Father Christmas, St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle, he and his little helpers play an important role during the holiday season.
"Santa Calls" by William Joyce (HarperCollins) is a most subtle story about children finding the worth of Christmas. It begins with Art Atchinson Aimesworth who was "a very singular boy" and orphaned at an early age and concludes with "all was right with their world." In between those statements,Art (who has a weakness for sweets and not being nice to his little sister, Esther), Spaulding Littlefeets (a young Comanche brave) and Esther find a mysterious box, fly to the North Pole in a canoe and defeat the Dark Queen and her Elves. What a triumph for a boy whose quest is " . . . adventure, and the fighting and smashing of crime." This is a vigorous story with lots of action just begging to be put on a movie screen.
"Santa's Book of Names" by David McPhail (Little, Brown). How does Santa remember all the names of boys and girls that will get presents? Here is a story about a little boy who can't read but certainly learns to do so when he rides along with Santa and has to help him locate the houses where gifts are to be left.
"The Reindeer Christmas" by Moe Price (Harcourt). This is the year when Santa could no longer make his rounds on foot. The elves (old, young, men and women) hustle together a sleigh that guarantees a safe journey. It is when Santa is called on an emergency mission that reindeer perform the task of steering him through the fog. This will be a child pleaser!
Speaking of helpers for Santa, Irwin, the smallest of the elves, delivers a left-behind gift under bad conditions in "The Last Christmas Present" (Orchard) and becomes "The Boss." Matt Novak's clever cartoon drawings make this one book to be "picture-read" long before the words are tried.
Other Santa stories to enjoy:
A parody on Santa is "Santa Cows" by Cooper Edens with illustrations by D. Lane (Green Tiger Press).
"The Nightmare Before Christmas" by Tim Burton (Hyperion) - reviewed in "Books 'n Things" Nov. 2, 1993.
"The Truth About Santa Claus" by James Cross Giblin (Crown).
"The Santa Clauses" retold by Achim Broger (Dial).
"The St. Nicholas Book: A Celebration of Christmas Past" by Martin Greif (Main Street Press).
"The Christmas Bear" by Henrietta Stickland (Dutton).
LEGENDS AND TRADITIONS OF THE HOLIDAYS:
Tales and legends about celebrations are universal, explaining the events and customs of those harbored in magic. Many were told over and over again and finally ended in print. Others are contemporary tellings with a `twist' to an old storyline or perhaps a modern story that tries to make a place in the traditions of holidays. Following are samples of each of these kinds, traditional tales, retold stories and original pieces with a fresh-new flavor:
"Christmas Trolls" by Jan Brett (Putnam). Brett's trickster trolls appeared in a previous book, "The Trouble with Trolls," and now these same little fellows seem to want Christmas but don't know exactly how to go about getting it. When Treva teaches them about sharing, she also finds that many of her Christmas decorations are missing. Brett's ingenious ability to have a story-within-a-story leaves "Christmas Trolls" a book to be inspected for hidden items, clever borders that foreshadow and details that are missed in just one reading.
"A Moon in My Teacup" by Anita Riggio (Boyds Mills). When a family visits their grandparents, they are given cups of tea with a surprise in them; reflections that look like full moons. This is a sweet Victorian story that shows a house ready for the holidays and the spirit that pervades it.
"The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Angela Barrett (Candlewick). There have been many versions of this tale since Andersen wrote it 150 years ago. Barrett's lovely new version translated by Naomi Lewis is long but a good read aloud for children 6 and above.
"The Christmas Knight" by Jane Louis Curry (McElderberry Books). "Before the days of King Arthur, in the time when his father, Uther, was king, there lived a knight named Cleges . . ." If you like stories of heraldry, you'll delight in Clege's loss of fortune and finding the true story and spirit of giving. DyAnne Disalvo-Ryan's bright watercolor paintings enhance the story to a happy conclusion, "of course, the good knight and his wife and sons lived merrily ever after."
A truly haunting story is "Branta and the Golden Stone" by Walter Wangerin Jr. illustrated by Deborah Healy (Simon and Schuster). Branta learns that her father was one of the three Magi but more importantly, he did not leave the present of gold with the Christ Child. The golden stone has given him powers all his life and at his death he leaves the stone with his daughter. The warning that accompanies the gold is foreboding, "whatever the people became, they had to stay that way forever." Branta's attempt to save a flock of geese results in her becoming one of them and, true to the power of the stone, she remains that way forever. Determining whether the stone has turned to good instead of evil is the underlying theme of this book. The striking full-page paintings add much to the feeling and mood of the legend that is more appropriate for children 10 and above.
Other traditions and legends to share during December:
"Too Many Tamales" by Gary Soto (Putnam).
"The Christmas Witch: An Italian Legend" by Joanne Oppenheimer (Bantam).
"Dumpling Soup" by Jama Kim Rattigan (Little, Brown).
"Hark! A Christmas Sampler" by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Tomi dePaola (Putnam).
"A Child's Christmas in Wales" by Dylan Thomas. Illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman (Holiday House).
DECORATING WITH GREENERY:
Ivy, holly and mistletoe are all used during the holiday season. "Decking the halls . . . " trimming the mantle and putting up the traditional tree are all activities that brighten the celebrations. Some books about this holiday greenery follow:
Where do Christmas trees come from? Sandra Jordan tells us in "Christmas Tree Farm" (Orchard). This is the true story of how trees are planted from baby trees, raised in nurseries from seeds found in cones. The setting is Rhode Island and the many hands needed to run such a farm is well detailed as well as illustrated in pastel-tinted photographs. Jordan also discusses the possible ways that trees can be disposed of after the decorations are taken down.
"Danny and the Kings" by Susan Cooper (Macmillan/Margaret K. Elderry). Danny and his friend, Steve, tangle over who is more important - the shepherds or the kings in the school play. When the dander settles, Steve gives Danny, whose mother can't afford one, a tree from his own yard. Unfortunately the tree is dropped as Danny crosses the highway and a truck smashed it. The truck driver and his two friends take Danny home and deliver his family to the school for the performance. When Danny and his family arrive home after the school pageant, a lovely tree awaits them. " . . . lying on the very top of the snowbank . . . he saw a small, red light-bulb, just like those which had glittered around the windshields of the three big trucks." "Danny and the Kings" is a predictable story but heartwarming with the true spirit of giving.
Christmas is coming and Chita knows that Santa will bring her tree, the one with her name carved in the truck. In "Chita's Christmas Tree" by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard (Macmillan/Aladdin) the short sections show holiday preparations of an urban family such as baking, going to the woods to find the tree and finally Christmas Eve. Floyd Cooper's realistic paintings enhance the mood of this story for readers 4-years-old and up.
"A Possible Tree" by Josephine Haskell Aldridge (Macmillan). Aldridge's story about animals that have made a small fir tree their home is beautifully illustrated by Daniel San Souci. Actually, the little tree becomes a kind of ecosystem, and the marvel of it is that when lumbermen come to take it down they see it as already decorated "like Christmas wreaths all over it." The family decided to enjoy it right where it stands as a home for nature's creatures.
"The Christmas Wreath" by James Hoffman (School Zone Publications). After sending Santa off on his sleigh, the elves are so tired they half-heartedly hang a wreath from the hook on the door. A hungry polar bear sees the greenery and thinking it is something to eat, tries to take it from its hook. With the wreath around his neck - and not able to disengage himself - he plunges into the water and the branches are frozen into ice. When he hangs it back on the hook it is a shimmering and glittering beacon to Santa.
Also enjoy: "The Story of the Holly and the Ivy" by Rummor Godden and illustrated by Barbara Cooney (Viking).
MAGIC, VERSE AND PAGEANTRY:
" `Tis the season to be jolly . . ." From the traditional carolers to the re-enactment of holiday customs today, music, verse, opera and the merriment of dance have become a major part of the December celebrations.
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Carols for Christmas" illustrated with paintings from the National Gallery, London (Simon and Schuster). Put this one on your gift list for musicians and those who appreciate classical art. Eighteen traditional carols are accompanied by some of the finest paintings in the world such as Botticelli's "Mystic Nativity," which illuminates "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and Geertgen's "The Nativity at Night" next to the music of "Silent Night." This is surely one of the most elegant picture books of the season.
"Praise for the Singing" by Madelaine Gill and Greg Pilska (Little, Brown) is a satisfying collection of hymns and songs of praise from American traditions. Included are topics such as "Hope and Faith" and "Joy and Celebration" that will be appropriate to sing year-round.
"Joy to the World" (Dutton) compiled by Canadian contralto Maureen Forrester includes 12 traditional songs such as "Silent Night," "Foom, Foom, Foom" and "Angels We Have Heard on High." Frances Tyrrell's small delicate illustrations portray children of many cultures as they sing, dance and play instruments.
"We Three Kings" illustrated by Olga Zharkova (Scholastic) is a vibrant book made of torn and cut paper collages that can be enjoyed alone without the text.
"When It Snowed That Night" poems by Norma Farber, illustrated by Petra Mathers (HarperCollins). Topping my list of poetry books for the holidays is this one of short poems spoken in first-person as visitors to the Nativity. Points of view include animals, three queens who came late and a mother who didn't follow the star at all and tended her own child, "I never went to Bethlehem; I stayed right here . . . " The title of the collection comes from one verse about animals that protected the manger, "When it snowed that night upon a stable/and the roof leaked water in the hay/ - Stork spread his wings across the manger . . . "
"Merry Christmas: A Victorian Verse" (HarperCollins) was taken from the 1897 St. Nicholas Magazine and recently illustrated by Mary Teichman. The format is in acronyms, a line for each of the letters of MERRY CHRISTMAS. The classical-type drawings correspond to the old time verse.
Dale Gottlieb's vibrant colors and shapes complement Sara Teasdale's poem about coming to visit the Christ Child. "Christmas Carol" (Holt) will be a nice introduction to the very youngest listener.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas." This year there are two new versions of this old holiday classic; one a parody and the other using the language patterns as a take-off on the verse. In John O'Brien's adaptation (Boyds Mills) he reverses the role and has a female suitor bringing gifts to a man. The persistence is finally overwhelming, and by the 12th day he can't tolerate the partridge in a pear tree, which was initially delivered for him to plant in frozen ground and is now stocked full of geese, swans and dancing ladies. There is a humorous side to this new version, such as the "true love" having the calling birds talk on a cellular phone. O'Brien's fresh new approach makes it appropriate for gifts to older readers, even if they're not your "true love."
A take-off of "The Twelve Days . . . " is "Christmas Safari" by Fran Manushkin (Dial) where a small girl and her father on a photo safari meet two leopard cubs, three wildebeests, four sky giraffes and so on. But the toys and pictures soon give way to chaos as the baboons get in the way and hippos yawn at the roaring lions. This will be fun for a ruckus singing time.
Other versions of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" are illustrated by Ilse Plume (Harper), Jan Brett (Dodd, Mead) and Louise Brierly (Holt).
"Christmas Gif': An Anthology of Christmas Poems, Songs and Stories" edited by Charlemae Hill Rollins (Morrow). This is a 30-year-old collection of songs and stories about African Americans that has been newly illustrated by award-winning artist, Ashely Bryan. While some of the language and dialects are outdated, they have some clever tales, recipes handed down by word-of-mouth, and spirituals that can not be found in any other anthology. Representative voices are Langston Hughes, Frederick Douglass, Gwendolyn Brooks and Zora Neal Hurston.
It is not unusual to have a new version of the ballet, "The Nutrcracker" on the holiday list. This year there are two; one a picture book about a child who will dance and the other a photo-essay. "Nutcracker Noel" by Kate McMullan (HarperCollins) tells of Noel who dreamed of dancing in the ballet but when she is assigned to be a tree she is devastated. Jim McMullan's animated drawings make this both humorous and full of pathos. The lesson is clear; do what you do the best you can.
Also try and find Maurice Sendak's illustrated version of E.T.A. Hoffman's "Nutcracker" (Crown) to find the real story illustrated in a most animated way.
George Ballanchine's "The Nutcraker" photographed and told by Joel Meyerowitz (Little, Brown) is an exquisite volume of photos taken during the film production of the New York City Ballet which has been released as a feature film for this holiday season. The fine details, carefully planned topography and magnificent layout truly make this book a work of art.
Other books about media-presentations:
"Babes in Toyland" adapted by James Howe, illustrated by Allen Atkinson (Harcourt).
"Miracle on 34th Street" by Valentine Davis with painting by Tomi dePaola (Harcourt).
SIMPLY CHRISTMAS:
Time for preparations! The following small collections will give ideas:
"Simply Christmas, 1993" by "Noel Pax" and Mary Thompson (Walker) lists great ideas for a noncommercial holiday. Ideas such as making your own gift wrapping and gifts from the kitchen are only a beginning. The publishers advocate this for people who want to "slow down, spend less and savor warm holiday moments." That's all of us!
"My Very Own Christmas: A Book of Cooking and Crafts" by Robin West (Carolroda) is divided into sections such as "After Caroling," "Cozy Christmas Breakfast," etc. The crafts are illustrated in black and white and a glossary is included.
"Ho Ho Ho! The Complete Book of Christmas Words" by Lynda Graham-Barber and illustrated by Betsy Lewin (Bradbury) is the beginning of a game called more-than-you-ever-needed-to-know-about-holiday-words. For example, "ho" has no recorded origin but is used by Shakespeare in "Midsummer Night's Dream" and in Charles Kingsley's historical romance "Westward Ho!" in the 1800s.
Hopefully we'll be able to hear Santa "ho! ho!' if we sail around the world, and suggestions for further reading in "Ho Ho Ho! The Complete Book of Christmas Words." I couldn't find reference to "fruit cake" but maybe that's in a new volume for next year.
Until then, have a Happy Reading Holiday!
Marilou Sorensen is an associate professor of education at the University of Utah and is serving on the 1994 Caldecott Selection Committee.