Speaking Volumes : Winter Holidays
December is a month of celebrations! From Winter Solstice to New Years, here are some books about celebrations!
Picture Books
Li'l Rabbit's Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington
In this colorful picture book, L'il Rabbit searches for a gift for his grandmother when she is sick during Kwanzaa and surprises her with the best gift of all. The story includes the exploration of the Nguzo Saba, or the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (uplifting your community), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah by Susan L. Roth
Celebrate the eight days of Hannukah with this family of mice and their friends in this illustrated version of the holiday song.
An Amish Christmas by Richard Ammon
Some Amish children celebrate Christmas in their one-room school with their family and relatives.
J FIC
Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline
Miss Mackle's third graders share December holiday traditions--Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Three Kings Day, and Korean New Year--with each other and with Harry's great grandfather, who has just moved to a nursing home.
Miss Holly is Too Jolly! by Dan Gutman
Disaster reigns when A.J. participates in the school's holiday pageant celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
Learn how and why daylight grows shorter as winter approaches, the effect of shorter days on animals and people, and how the winter solstice has been celebrated throughout history. This book also includes solstice activities.
Teen / YA Fic
The Simpsons Holiday Humdinger
Season's Greetings from the Simpsons and creator Matt Groening with a collection of Christmas curiosities and winter wonders that'll warm your heart and tickle your fancy.
Christmas & Hanukkah by Betsy Richardson
In the modern era, and particularly in the Western world, Christmas and Hanukkah have become major events in the calendar. Although the events recalled in these holidays are unconnected, Christianity and Judaism spring from common traditions and holy books; in fact, their origins are so closely linked that people often refer to a Judeo-Christian tradition or heritage.
Right before winter break, fourteen-year-old Molly Rosenberg reluctantly volunteers to participate in Santa Monica's annual homeless count, just to get her school's community service requirement out of the way. But when she ends up meeting Red, a spirited homeless girl only a few years older than she is, Molly makes it her mission to reunite her with her family in time for Christmas.
Non-Fiction
Christmas Through the Years by Gladys Hasty Carroll
Anthology of Christmas stories selected from the writings of Maine author Gladys Hasty Carroll.
Origami for Christmas by Chiyo Araki
A book that combines the ancient art of paper folding with the western tradition of handmade Christmas decorations.
Festive holiday recipes, gifts and projects to make the season sparkle
Fiction
The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans
Alone and distrustful after a bitter divorce, Elise surprises herself by accepting a proposition from a man who lives in her building that they pretend to be a couple for the weeks preceding the Christmas holiday.
A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry
When Celia Hooper discovers that her dear friend Clementine is to marry widower Seth Marlowe - a man with a sinister past - she calls upon her husband, Detective John Hooper of the Thames River Police, to help her find out what really happened to Seth's first wife several years ago. Rumour has it that she killed herself and Seth's daughter ran away to live on the streets but no one seems to know the truth.
An Amish Christmas by Cynthia Keller
Meg Hobart has everything: a happy marriage to a handsome, successful husband, a beautiful home in Charlotte, North Carolina, and three wonderful children. But it all comes crashing down around her the day she learns that her husband, James, has been living a lie - and has brought the family to financial ruin. Penniless and homeless, the Hobarts pack up what little they still possess and leave behind their golden life for good. But it's not the material things Meg finds herself mourning. Instead, she misses the certainty that she should remain married to James, who has betrayed her trust so thoughtlessly. Worse, she is suddenly very aware of just how spoiled her children have become. Meg wonders what her family has really sacrificed in their pursuit of the American dream.
DVDs
It's bound to be a white Christmas with this classic! From creator Charles M. Shultz and producer Bill Melendez, it's A Charlie Brown Christmas. Not only does this timeless special have the distinction of warming hearts young and old, but it has won both an Emmy and a Peabody Award. Whether you are seeing this holiday masterpiece for the first time or the first time in years, you have doubtless heard of that ol' blockhead Charlie Brown and the little tree that could. Filled with mythology as the gang tries to put on a holiday play, kids big and small will end up with a pretty decent dance party, a lesson for the ages and some good old-fashioned fun. As for the tree -- it's amazing what a little love can do.
The Polar Express is an enchanting holiday tale of a young boy who doubts that Santa Claus truly exists. On one special Christmas Eve, as the boy skeptically waits for the sound of sleigh bells, a magical train appears outside his home and the conductor invites him aboard. What lies ahead is an extraordinary adventure of self-discovery through which the young boy learns that for those who believe, the wonders of life never fade.
Kate is a young woman subscribed to bad decisions. Working as an elf in a year round Christmas store is not good for the wannabe singer. However, she meets Tom there. Her life takes a new turn. For Kate, it seems too good to be true.
An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.
12/2/2020
Check back often for more recommendations and new materials from the Library.