Ready to surround yourself with the holiday spirit?
There's no better way to celebrate than with stories and song. Try sharing a book each day through December. There are lots of new ones this season, and the libraries and bookstores have stocks of the old-and-true.Then start "making a list and checking it twice" for all those special ones you want to give gifts of books. Here are some suggestions:
WHAT'S NEW FOR HOLIDAY READING
"A Night Without Darkness. A Nephite Story," by Timothy Robinson. Illustrated by Jim Madsen. (Deseret Book.)
This is the first hardcover picture book telling the Nativity as recorded in the Book of Mormon. The sensitive paintings enhance the story line which is highlighted with scriptural notations. Surely this is a book to be treasured by all Latter-day Saint families.
"The Legend of the Christmas Rose," by William H. Hooks, paintings by Richard A. Williams (HarperCollins)
Brothers in Jerusalem set out to follow the star. Their little sister follows and finds that she has no gift to give the Christ Child. With blossoms found along the path, she approaches the stable. So begins, one of the legends of the plant that blooms at Christmas known as Helleborus niger.
These two are my "picks" of the new holiday books:
"The Twelve Days of Christmas," by Vladimir Vagin (HarperCollins)
There are many picture-book versions of the old English song but none is any more appealing that this new one by a Russian artist who now lives in the United States.
"On Christmas Day in the Morning," by Melissa Sweet (Candlewick)
Another English folk carol has a jaunty new look. What a romp this is for the menagerie of animals who make a Christmas feast worth remembering.
Try the 50 songs in "The Glorious Christmas Songbook," compiled by Cooper Edens and Benjamin Darling (Chronicle).
Luxurious artwork from the 19th century through the 1920s graces this book that would make a wonderful gift as well as a family favorite.
"Silent Night, Holy Night," by Maja Dusikova (North-South).
Joseph Mohr's classic has never been done any better than this! The iridescent illustrations lend themselves to the quiet loveliness of the old favorite song.
"The Nutcracker," by E.T.A. Hoffman, adapted by Janet Schulman, illustrated by Renee Graef (HarperCollins)
Many children know the story of the Nutcracker but this version, which includes a reading by Claire Bloom on a CD with selections of Tchaikovsky's music, is a book to return to often during the holidays. Another adaptation of "The Nutcracker" by David Clement-Davies, illustrated by James Mayhew (DK), which provides background on the story, the author and how it became a ballet. Both of these books have antique-like illustrations that set a nostalgic mood,
"The Nutquacker," Mary Jane Auch (Holiday House)
This is a take-off in name only. The story of Clara Duck never attempts to be a ballet as such, but the tongue-in-cheek humor will not be lost on children who are on their toes listening for the puns.
Two new puppy books are "Mucky Pup's Christmas," by Ken Brown (Dutton) and "The Christmas Puppy," by Roberta Grobel Intrater and Bruce McNally (Scholastic).
Mucky Pup is one of my favorite picture book animals, and when he gets in trouble trying to be helpful by arranging presents and tasting the goodies, it reminds me of pups I've had that undecorated the tree as fast as it was decorated. I love this one and children will, too.
The Intrater story is a chapter book that will touch the heart. It's about a boy, a dog, a dog being lost and the heartbreak. But it all ends well with a true spirit of giving.
"Welcome Comfort," by Patricia Polacco (Philomel)
An overweight foster child is befriended by an equally rotund school custodian and there the story begins. But the surprise ending and the delicious spirit of true giving will make this a holiday favorite for years to come.
"Auntie Claus," by Elise Primavera (Harcourt)
When Sophie's classy aunt disappears every holiday season, Sophie follows and finds out what really makes a celebration.
Note: The author has established a Web site for this book (www.auntieclaus.com), and Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City has chosen this classy character as the theme for its holiday window display.
"The Night Before Christmas," by Clement Clarke Moore.
Three new adaptations appear this year with illustrations by Max Grover (Harcourt), Tasha Tudor (Little, Brown) and my favorite Bruce Whatley (HarperCollins).
Do you need some ideas for crafts and projects? Try these. "The Whizzy Bizzy Christmas Fun Book" and "Celebrating Christmas" both by Christina Gooding (Chariot) or "Christmas Activities" by Ray Gibson (Usborne).
OTHER HOLIDAY FAVORITES
"The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey," by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch (Candlewick)
"Polar Express," by Chris Van Allsburg (Houghton)
"The Baker's Dozen," by retold by Aaron Shephard, illustrated by Wendy Edelson (Atheneum)
"Olive, the Other Reindeer," by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh (Chronicle); This year the book about a dog who joins Santa's reindeers comes with a plush animal.
"The Birds' Christmas Carol," by Kate Douglas Wiggin (Houghton); A reissue of the classic 1886 story by the creator of "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm"
"The Christmas Alphabet," by Robert Subuda (Orchard); A pop-up book with exquisite engineering.
"The First Noel," Illustrated with festive paintings (DK)
"The Christmas Candle," by Richard Paul Evans, illustrated by Jacob Collins (Simon & Schuster)
"Dear Santa: A Countdown to Christmas Book" (Dutton); "Once Upon a Company: A True Story," by Wendy Anderson Halpern (Orchard); "The Nightmare Before Christmas," by Tim Burton (Hyperion); "Stories from The New Testament with Masterwork Paintings" (Simon& Schuster).
BOOKS FOR OTHER CELEBRATIONS
Hanukkah
"It's Hanukkah!" by Jeanne Modesitt, illustrated by Robin Spowart (Holiday)
The Hanukkah story, a blessing and song, directions for playing a game of dreidel and a recipe for latkes are included with this new book.
"The Peddler's Gift," by Maxine Rose Schur, illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root (Dial)
The theme of forgiveness is uppermost in this sensitive and fresh story.
Kwanzaa
"Seven Steps of Kwanzaa," by Ella Grier, illustrated by John Ward (Viking)
Besides outlining the seven days of this African-American celebration, there are recipes for the traditional foods.
"Celebrating Kwanzaa," by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith (Holiday House)
A good introduction for elementary-school age children.
Las Posadas
"The Night of Las Posadas," by Tomie de Paola (Putnam)
De Paola has a way of crafting a tale for ethnic groups in sensitive ways. This is a wonderful way to see the Hispanic holiday customs through fictional characters.
"Las Posadas," by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, illustrated by Lawrence Mgdale (Holdiay)
Clear color photos make this tour of homes, churches and workshops a real look at Las Posadas. The text is well-written and together these two books celebrate a beautiful heritage.