Jane Stroh is pictured above with two of her grandaughters, Lydia and Gloria, reading one of their favorite holiday books, Christmas Kitten, Home at Last. Here is Jane's annual list of holiday recommendations:
At the top of my list this year is a small gem of a book, The First Christmas by Anthony Knott. A tiny book written in rhyme with lovely pictures, it is a treat to share with your favorite child.
If you want to share the first Christmas story with the special toddler in your life there are two interactive books I'd recommend: The Very First Christmas Changing Pictures and The Busy Christmas Stable. A great complement to these stories is the Usborne Sing-Along Christmas Carols, which includes a CD and the words to several Christmas carols.
Another favorite of mine this year is Saint Francis and the Nativity by Myrna Strasser. This beautifully illustrated work tells the story of what was probably the first reenactment of the Christmas story and how St. Francis brought Luke 2 alive for his parishioners.
The next on my list is Christmas Kitten Home at Last by Robin Pulver. It is a sweet story, beautifully illustrated. My four year-old granddaughter loved it!
There's a great new story, The Elves' First Christmas by Atsuko Morozumi, about how the elves came to know and work with Santa to make all those Christmas toys.
Yet another wonderful and touching picture book is Christmas in the Time of Billy Lee by Jerdine Nolan. This is a story of faith and belief in what we can't see, and the power of that faith. If you have trouble loving snow this is a book for you.
Nonna Tell Me A Story by Lidia Bastianich is a story that celebrates the family togetherness of Christmas, not the giving and getting of presents.
Some of my favorite children's authors have given us some special presents this season. Tomie De Paola has a collection of some of his best Christmas stories in one lovely volume entitled Joy to the World. There is a new Charlie Brown Christmas pop-up book this year. Helen Lester has added to the Tacky collection with Tacky's Christmas, which includes a CD with some of Tacky's favorite carols. Fans of Ana Dewdney's Llama Llama series will love Llama, Llama Holiday Drama.
For our Jewish friends there are two new books about Hanukkah. Eight Winter Nights by Laura Melmed is a wonderful picture book written in rhyme, telling the Hanukkah story night by night. The back also contains a brief description of the history behind Hanukkah and some Hanukkah traditions. Hanukkah Mice by Ronne Randall is a small book with lovely illustrations, perfect for little hands.
There are many more great holiday books including old favorites like Polar Express that we have in stock, so please stop by and check them all out! And Happy Holidays from all of your friends at The Bookstore.
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