Jane's 2011 Holiday Picks for Children

One of our favorite holiday traditions at The Bookstore is when Jane puts together her annual list of holiday books for children. As many of you know, Jane is a happy grandmother, and loves previewing the newest books of the season. Here she is with two of her adorable granddaughters.

Did you know that you can place a pick-up order for any of these books by clicking the titles below? Just click "add to cart" and "I would like to pick this order up at the store," and we will call you when it's ready. There is even a message box where you can request complimentary gift wrapping!

 
Happy holidays to you and yours! 
 

 

THE SCRAWNY LITTLE TREE  by Ed Mehler: This is a charming little book about a boy rich in the spirit of Christmas and a very special tree.

THE CARPENTER’S GIFT by David Rubel: A touching story about the beginnings of the famous Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. A small boy, a Christmas wish, and an amazing story. This one is a keeper and the pictures are grand.

A CHRISTMAS TREE FOR PYN by Olivier Dunrea: This is a sweet story about a little girl who really wants a Christmas tree and although her papa has very little to say, she will indeed have her Christmas tree.

SONG OF THE STARS  by Sally Lloyd-Jones: If you love those stories that incorporate the creation story into the Christmas story, this is the book for you. The pictures in this one are beautiful too.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Jan Brett: In Brett’s usual beautifully detailed style we meet a little troll who is not especially nice and has a lot to learn.  He gets it figured out by Christmas, thank goodness!  Brett’s THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS has also been re-released with a CD read by Jim Dale, of Harry Potter fame and accompanied by the Boston Pops.

THE THIRD GIFT by Linda Sue Park: This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of myrrh, how it is collected, and is a beautiful story of father and son and their relationship.  A great gift for the celebration of Epiphany.

CHANUKAH LIGHTS by Michael Rosen and Robert Sabuda: Robert Sabuda has worked his magic with pop-up art yet again to give us this beautiful Chanukah book.  This is a treat and a must have for all our Jewish friends.

Holiday Gift Recommendation: "Women Who Read Are Dangerous" by Stefan Bollman

Women Who Read Are Dangerous by Stefan Bollman ($24.95) is a gorgeous book that would make a perfect gift for the female booklover in your life.


It's filled with a fabulous collection of paintings, drawings, prints and photographs of women reading, including such artists as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Manet, Whistler and Hopper. The painting on the cover, Dreams by Vittorio Matteo Corcos (1896) shows a young woman reader who appears slightly inspired and defiant. You can't help but wonder what she just read.


The pictures alone are enough, but there is interesting commentary by Stefan Bollman, who is an author of several books on literature, including Women Who Write (Merrell 2007). It traces the history of reading, and notes that private, silent reading is a relatively modern phenomenon.


Women who read were regarded as dangerous, it claims, because they began to acquire privacy and independence of mind. As Bollman states, "the woman who reads acquires a space to which she and no one else has access, and together with this she develops an independent sense of self-esteem; . . . she creates her own view of the world that does not necessarily correspond with that conveyed by tradition, or with that of men."


Here's to space, independence, and a little "dangerous" rebellion!


To have us hold a copy for you (with free gift wrapping!), just call (630) 469-2891 or e-mail us at justbook475@yahoo.com.