Merry Christmas! Yes, I know it isn’t Christmas yet, but it very well may be time to order any new Christmas books to add to your library. I have some ideas for books for you.
The Nutcracker Ballet is a Christmas classic. Becoming a Ballerina by Lise Friedman and Mary Dowdle is the story of real dancers as they practice for this performance. Photographs help to tell the story of the preparation and performance.
A Christmas Tree for Pyn by Olivier Dunrea is the story of a little girl named Pyn who wants to decorate her first Christmas tree. Her father says no, but over the course of the story, he eventually softens and she does get her tree. Father is very gruff, but Pyn remains sweet and cheerful.
Ruthie and her family will have the honor of giving a tree to Pine Grove for the Christmas pageant. Ruthie’s father chose the tree in the spring, but had to go to war. Now Christmas is nearly here and even though the town is busy with preparations for the holiday and practicing the pageant, Ruthie and her mother are hoping that Papa will be home soon. After the pageant is over and the gifts from the tree are handed out, Ruthie and her mother have yet another wonderful surprise just in time for Christmas. I hope you enjoy The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston set in Appalachia in the early 1900’s. Barbara Cooney’s illustrations are wonderful.
What is Christmas like for a family who lives on a lighthouse? In The Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo Frances and Peter wonder if Santa will know how to find them so far way on their tiny island off the coast of Maine. The supply boat has not been able to get to their island because of wild weather and supplies are getting low. The weather keeps the children from visiting their aunt on the mainland, it deposits a stranger on their doorstep but Frances and Peter try their best to keep up as many of their traditions as possible. Later on that day a small plane circles the lighthouse and drops a package at the edge of the water. Inside are some small gifts from the Flying Santa. It may be that you choose not to purchase this book because Santa is mentioned, but please know that the story is inspired by a true Christmas tradition known as the Flying Santa Service which honors the many lighthouse keepers on the islands of Maine. The Flying Santa service has been active continually since 1920 with the exception of the years during the war. Now it visits Coast Guard families. You can go to www.flyingsanta.com to learn more.
You may have been fortunate enough to visit Rockefeller Center at Christmas time and have seen the famous Christmas tree there. Have you wondered how it gets there? The Christmas Tugboat by George Matteson and Adele Ursone gives us the story. George Matteson was a tugboat captain for years and one year got the assignment to carry the special Christmas tree to New York City. The job was an easy one and he took his wife, Adele, and his young daughter along. Adele realized that this was a great children’s book idea and the two of them wrote the story. James Ransome illustrated it with his paintings. He wanted to capture the chill of winter and the cozy feeling of the family working together. It’s a great book to share at Christmas time.
I hope you have the opportunity to take a look at some of these books and maybe even purchase one or more for your school.
If you have a favorite Christmas book or story that you like to read to your students, please share these with me and I will in turn pass them along to the group.
Have a great week.
Audrey
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