Geo Librarian

The Third Gift written by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011 ISBN: 978-0-547-20195-5 Grades: All Reviewed from purchased copy. All opinions expressed are solely my own. BLURB :  From two extraordinary talents, a beautifully crafted picture book for the Christmas season. The three wise men, or the three kings, are familiar figures in the Christmas tradition. Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park has taken the brief biblical references to the three as the starting point for a new story. In it we meet a boy who is learning his father’s trade; a man who gathers resin from certain trees; a merchant in the marketplace; and three strangers in brightly colored robes who are shopping for a gift for a baby. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline with exquisite paintings, this simple, moving tale of ordinary people involved in an extraordinary event brings new resonance to the well-known gift list of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  ...

Last week I read some Christmas related duck books to my kindergartners and they really enjoyed them.  So here they are. Have You Been Naughty or Nice? written and illustrated by Ethan Long Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-316-01722-0 Grades PreK-1 Reviewed from personal copy. BLURB :  In Have You Been Naughty or Nice? the duck excitedly awaits a visit from Santa Claus until he eats all of Santa's snacks and realizes he just put himself on the naughty list. But never fear, because the duck has a clever plan to get himself back on the nice list. This fourth book in Ethan Long's duck series features a cloth Santa cap on the cover and a fold-out letter to Santa, and is filled to the brim with holiday hilarity that will keep kids entertained for hours. This book is quite short and makes for a quick read (which is a good thing when you've got squirmy kindergartners).  The children quite enjoyed this one.  The illustrations are ca...

A Christmas Tree for Pyn written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea Philomel Books, 2011 978-0-399-24506-0 Grades K-2 Reviewed from purchased copy. BLURB :  Christmas is coming. In the craggy rocks on the snowy mountainside, tiny Pyn has her heart set on decorating her very first Christmas tree. But, "No Christmas tree," Papa says. Still, Pyn won't take no for an answer. She knows that a Christmas tree is just the thing their cottage needs to make the season festive and cheery. Pyn is determined to find the perfect Christmas tree - no matter what. With this story of the love between a father and daughter, Olivier Dunrea captures the true spirit of Christmas. I love Christmas stories that focus on the reasons for the season beyond the presents and the spending of money.  Not that I don't enjoy that part of the season because I do, I love giving gifts.  But sometimes it is good to have a reminder that there are things far more important than the trappings ...

The Perfect Christmas written by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by JoAnn Adinolfi Henry Holt and Company, 2011 ISBN: 978-0-8050-8702-4 Interest Level: Grades K-2 Reviewed from purchased copy. BLURB : Family one: exquisite pastries, a beautifully trimmed tree, and festive cello music. Family two: an artificial tree, rock hard candy, and custom kazoo carols. Full of silly humor, this cheerful picture book proves that no matter how you celebrate Christmas, it’s the spirit of the holiday that counts the most. This book is pretty straightforward.  It compares the different ways that two families celebrate Christmas.  I enjoyed looking at the differences between the two families. The way the two families come together at the end is a pleasant reminder that we can find things in common with each other if we make the effort.  There is some humor mixed in (one of the grandmother's cookies breaking someone's toe). The story is written in rhyme that flows fai...

Jingle Bells: How the Holiday Classic Came to Be written by John Harris, illustrated by Adam Gustavson Peachtree, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-56145-590-4 Interest Level: Grades K-5 Reviewed from purchased copy. BLURB: It is November 1857 in Savannah, Georgia, and the heat is stifling. Choir director James Lord Pierpont is busy writing a song for the children of the church to perform to usher in the holiday season. He is also worried. Many townspeople are angry because the congregation does not believe in slavery, and someone has thrown a brick through one of the church windows. As Mr. Pierpont sweeps up the glass from the broken window, he recalls his own Boston childhood, the sound of sleigh bells, and the fun of riding in a sleigh through the snow. Suddenly he gets an idea. A few days later - with the happy sounds of children singing and jingling bells and bags of "snow" - Mr. Pierpont introduces the delighted churchgoers to the charms of a northern Christmas! I...

The Happy Elf written by Harry Connick, Jr., illustrated by Dan Andreasen Harper, 2011 ISBN: 978-0-06-128879-1 Interest Level: Grades K-2 Reviewed from purchased copy. BLURB :  Eubie is the happiest elf at the North Pole. More than anything else, he longs to be a part of Santa’s sleigh team. Instead, he’s stuck checking the naughty-or-nice lists. Until one Christmas Eve he sees something strange: In the whole town of Bluesville, not a single person has been nice. So with a pinch of elfish magic and a magical whoosh , Eubie’s off to Bluesville. But can he turn a whole town of naughty children nice in just one day?  The things I liked about this book were: the illustrations are adorable.  The characters are round and cheerful and appealing.  The bright colors contrast nicely with the 'sad' parts.  The illustrations do a nice job of providing the mood behind the story. the theme of happiness and helping others be happy can be the best gift of all. ...

I've decided to participate in the Seasons Readings Challenge being hosted by Maestra Amanda's Bookshelf .  I love Christmas books of all kinds, so this is a great chance for me to share my favorites, old and new. The challenge starts on December 1st, but for directions on how to participate see this post .  Basically, all that is required is to read and review books related to the holiday season, as many or few as you want.  I'm going to try to do at least one for every weekday.  Most of the ones I plan to read will be picture books that I will be sharing with my students, most will be Christmas related but some will be Hanukkah and Kwanzaa related. I am looking forward to a great reading season.