| Collection Selections |
This is often many librarians’ first glimpse into forthcoming big holiday books. Reviewers include Ingram librarians Susan Johnston, Tracy Taylor and Jeannine Wiese and Children’s & Teen Librarian editor Ellen Myrick. For the maximum in convenience and efficiency, log onto ipage®. Simply click each title to learn more.
| Halloween, Day of the Dead, and related titles |
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Knock! Knock!
By Jan Wahl
Illustrated by Mary Newell dePalma
Slightly shivery but not really scary, this tale is great for a preschool group. Witch Ella sits alone in her home in Scotland, spinning on a cold, dark night. She hears a knock on the door, and opens it to let in a huge pair of boots. “But feet are not much company.” They are followed by a pair of legs, then knees, and so on, but still with no real company--until finally she has a hairy-chested giant standing in her living room. Wahl gradually builds suspense by recounting why the fellow has “such broad, hairy shoulders ... such long, bent arms ... such thick, round hands,” and finally reveals that his presence is benign. DePalma’s fetching illustrations are big enough for a roomful of kids. SJ
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The Story of Halloween
By Carol Greene
Illustrated by Linda Bronson
This is an excellent, concise history of the various traditions that make up our modern day Halloween, with colorful, whimsical painted illustrations on every page. It also includes a brief discussion of recent changes in practice, including collecting money for UNICEF while trick-or-treating, and things communities are doing to make Halloween safe in light of recent fears. Grades 2-4. SJ
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Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book
By Jeanette Winter
Following a family tradition, Don Pedro and his sons and grandsons create paper mache calaveras (skeletons) for the fiesta of el Dia de los Muertos. There follows a recitation of the alphabet, with an occupation or description cited for each letter (angel, bruja, candelera, doctor) and a colorful skeleton representing each word. A glossary translates the Spanish words, and a note explains the differences in the alphabets. Winters’ white bones and brilliant colors against a black background are appropriately gay and spooky. SJ
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Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration
By Richard Keep
Minimal text (“Knock-knock! Shhh! Huh? Rattle-rattle. Que? Creak-creak...”), with a few Spanish words among the English, runs across the bottom of wildly colorful cut-paper illustrations. Skeletons emerge from their graves and explore the world on fiesta night, happily enjoying the food, the music and dancing, the fountain, and all the other festivities. Before their reluctant return to the grave, they gather to bid a huge “Gracias” to the absent loving relatives who prepared the feast. A two-page author’s note gives information about the holiday and explains that it is a time of celebration rather than of sadness or fear. SJ
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Pumpkin Cat
By Ann Turner
Illustrated by Amy June Bates
During a howling thunderstorm a lovely orange cat is swept away in a torrent of water. Eventually deposited by the stream onto a wet lawn, she struggles to the nearest building--which happens to be a library. Taken in by two librarians and named Pumpkin Cat, she finds a home that is safe but lonely at night when the children are gone. At the Halloween party, a sympathetic little witch tells her fortune--today Pumpkin Cat will find her heart’s desire. And so she does, in the form of a little black kitten who needs a mother. With the library as a backdrop, you won’t find a better book for Halloween story time. SJ
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Spooky Hour
By Tony Mitton
Illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
Everyone needs a Halloween chant and if you aren’t quite ready for the witch scene in the Scottish Play, Tony Mitton’s Spooky Hour is a fine way to create an atmosphere of mystery and mischief. The progressive rhyming text counts down to one gigantic pumpkin pie through a maze of witches, ghosts, skeletons, trolls and other scary beasts. Yet, Parker-Rees’ bright palette renders the “midnight spooks” warm, witty, and luminous. Perfect for story times. EM
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From Seed to Pumpkin
By Wendy Pfeffer
Illustrated by James Graham Hale
A simple introduction to the pumpkin, this Stage 1 Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out title is suitable for ages 4-7. Beginning with the planting, showing the development of the plant, and ending with Jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin pie, it also includes notes and two simple but well-chosen activities. This one will be in great demand for both day care centers and families throughout the fall. SJ
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The Best Halloween Ever
By Barbara Robinson
Oh, those Herdmans. Because of them, Halloween is cancelled. No candy, no costumes, no trick or treating. The whole school is in a terrible snit because yet again the Herdman kids are ruining everything. The worst kids in the world should be driven out of town--or should they? Be sure your patrons can get their hands on the latest of Robinson's popular titles, for grades 3-6. Also available in audio. SJ
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| Thanksgiving |
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The Firefighters’ Thanksgiving
By Maribeth Boelts
Illustrated by Terry Widener.
The firefighters at Station 1 are valiantly trying to prepare their Thanksgiving dinner at the station, but are constantly interrupted by fire alarms and forced to leave the preparations undone. Household chores of shopping, cooking, and cleaning are related in simple rhyme, while the fire fighting is shown in dramatic full-bleed spreads that speak for themselves. When one fireman is injured and carried off to in an ambulance, all thoughts of a feast are lost. Children will love this intimate glimpse of their heroes’ lives, and will be grateful for the way family members step in to save the holiday when the men are too exhausted and distracted to rescue it themselves. Be sure to keep an extra copy on hand for story times, because this book with its fabulous illustrations will fly off the shelf. SJ
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Setting the Turkeys Free
By W. Nikola-Lisa
Illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
A young child of color is busy making turkeys with finger paints on a big white paper. Initially, we are shown exactly how the turkeys are made, with a handprint, toothpick legs, and decorative feathers. As soon as the turkeys are finished, they come alive and begin to walk around. So the child makes a fence of popsicle sticks and paints trees in the background. But then a fox appears out of the woods, and quite a fuss ensues in which the turkeys have to be saved from a terrible death. Illustrations are child-like paintings and will absolutely lead to art projects and new stories. SJ
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Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation
By Diane Stanley
llustrated by Holly Berry.
Early elementary children will get their dose of education without complaint in this story where two children travel back in time with their grandmother, to experience a Thanksgiving with Pilgrim ancestors. Lots of action and dialogue in balloons lend appeal to the story, which gives a lot of detail in spite of its non-intimidating format. Because of all the text in balloons, it is not recommended for sharing in groups. Nevertheless, this title will be very popular with teachers, children and parents alike, particularly with the dearth of good Thanksgiving books available. SJ
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Thanksgiving Is...
By Gail Gibbons
This companion book to her Christmas title is suitable for ages 4-7 and briefly covers the various traditions that make up our holiday today. While there is not a great deal of information, it is a great jumping-off place for discussions. Purchase where other Gibbons holiday titles are popular. SJ
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| Christmas and related titles |
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A Christmas Like Helen’s
By Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
Illustrated by Mary Azarian.
This exquisite gem of a book, set in the time of the author’s grandmother, is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. Children’s imagination will be piqued by the opening line, “To have a Christmas like Helen’s...” and the accompanying picture of a horse hip-deep in snow, pulling a sled on a lovely moonlight night, heading toward a warm-looking farmhouse in the hills of Vermont. Azarian’s hand-tinted woodcuts lend detail as well as atmosphere, while Kinsey-Warnock’s inviting text reads like poetry. This book is one of the highlights of the year, and every library will want it. SJ
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Santa’s Littlest Helper
By Anu Stohner
Illustrated by Henrike Wilson
Any child will be able to relate to being told “You are too small” when they are trying to help. Santa’s littlest helper is no exception and even though he looks like Santa, he only comes up to the big helpers’ knees. However, he doesn’t let the taunts keep him down and he discovers a way he can truly be a helper. When he learns that the forest animals feel neglected at Christmas time, he loads up his tiny sleigh with gifts for the birds, bears, mice and even the squirrels. When the Chief Helper names him “Santa for the Animals” he knows he’s found his place and that “the littlest Helper has been just as important as the big ones.” Wilson’s illustrations have an endearing whimsicality to them that especially appeals to younger patrons. EM
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Three Kings Day: A Celebration at Christmastime
By Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith
Photographs by Lawrence Migdale.
Hoyt-Goldsmith covers this Latin American holiday through the eyes of ten-year-old Veronica, a child of Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian descent, who lives in New York City. Historical details and information on music, food and other customs associated with the holiday are skillfully woven in with personal details on Veronica’s family celebration. The photographs are plentiful, colorful, well placed, and relevant. With very little else available on the topic, this is recommended for all collections. Grades 2-5. SJ
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O Holy Night: Christmas with the Boys Choir of Harlem
Illustrated by Faith Ringgold
O Holy Night: Christmas with the Boys Choir of Harlem contains an audio CD of the Boys Choir of Harlem singing five favorite Christmas carols. Including the story taken from the book of Luke and the words to "Silent Night," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "O Holy Night," "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," and "Joy to the World," the spirit of Christmas permeates Faith Ringgold's visually stunning paintings. Listening to the joyous singing by the Boys Choir of Harlem increases the uplifting experience and should be shared with others. TT
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An Orange for Frankie
By Patricia Polacco
Readers will delight in Polacco’s story of her grandmother’s youngest brother, whom she describes as “the heart of the household.” Every Christmas, the father of the Stowell family would drive his horse and buggy all the way to Lansing and return with a precious, exotic orange for each of the nine children. This year, Father is terribly late in returning, and the family’s anxiety lends even more value to the fruit which is placed ceremoniously on the mantle. Forbidden to touch the precious objects, Frankie can’t resist picking up one of the oranges and smelling it. Suddenly he hears someone coming and in his panic he does something unforgivable. A sub-plot about a hobo in need has already warmed us to Frankie, so we are fervently hoping for his family’s understanding and pardon. SJ
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A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Read by Jim Dale
One must first have a willing suspension of Harry Potter to enjoy Jim Dale’s retelling of the Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Nonetheless, Jim Dale’s virtuoso ability to breathe life into a plethora of characters ranging from the spirit of Christmas Past to the emaciated bravery of Tiny Tim stand him and the listener in good stead. There is one moment when Harry Potter intrudes: when Scrooge is visited by the gliding, hooded, voiceless form of the spirit of Christmas yet to come one is struck by its uncanny resemblance to a dementor. Perhaps most importantly, Dale reclaims this classic tale from the cinematic shadows of itself; restoring the lush Dickensian prose and flair of characterization and detail in his vivid unabridged retelling. EM
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A Child’s Christmas in Wales
By Dylon Thomas
Illustrated by Chris Raschka.
Trina Schart Hyman’s charming illustrations for this book are much loved, and Edward Ardizzone’s lend old-fashioned authenticity, but Chris Raschka’s work is right up there in the running. Filled with color on textured paper, they interpret the piece quite differently, with a colder, wilder mood. Life in this version is a little less cozy, a little more ... well, Welsh. Somehow, one imagines the author would approve. If your community is one that appreciates this story at all, you must have this edition available. SJ
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Stan Lee’s Superhero Christmas (HC)
By Stan Lee
Also Available in Library Binding
A brother and sister realize every child’s fantasy of becoming a superhero in this graphic novel picture book. The magic of Christmas mingles with the mighty powers of their superhero parents and the equally strong but evil Ice King who has trapped Santa in an impenetrable ice cage on Christmas Eve. After their superhero father, known as the Protector, is trapped during his failed attempt to rescue Santa the fate of Christmas seems bleak. Only then does their mother reveal her secret identify as the Protectress, and together the unlikely threesome set out to outwit the wicked Ice King and melt him into oblivion proving the belief that there’s a little superhero in all of us. Stan Lee, the famed co-creator of many legendary superheroes including Spider-Man, X-Men, Daredevil and the Incredible Hulk, teams up with illustrator Tim Jessell to create this adventure packed holiday picture book. Jessell’s unique, realistic style, with a twist depicted in pastels and mixed media heightens the thrill and suspense of this tale much to the delight of the young audience and their comic loving parents. JW
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Guess Who’s coming for Santa’s Dinner
By Tomie dePaola
As Tomie DePaola portrays it, Santa Claus’ family is much like everyone else’s. When Santa decides he wants to invite the whole family, his wife isn’t so sure but is game for trying. Just like at any family gathering, some arrive early, some arrive late and some arrivals make everyone else just a little bit nervous. When the last guest leaves, however, Mrs. C. exclaims that’s she’s glad they had the feast because she thinks they all had a good time. Mr. C. surveys his shambles of a home and is not so sure. Tomie dePaola mixes traditional narrative and graphic novel-like panels to good effect in this larger-than-life family portrait sure to appeal to younger elementary-age children. EM
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| Hanukkah |
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Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah
By Susan L. Roth
Roth illustrates a simple holiday song with paper and cloth collage detailing a family of irresistible mice. The very first page is a grabber for preschoolers, with several mice dressed in coats and piled high with packages, being greeted at the door by a whole family of happy critters. The celebrants light the menorah, dance the hora, play with dreidels and eat latkes, finishing off the evening with music and reading Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah! Whether used as an introduction to the Jewish holiday or to reinforce family practices, this is a must have for library collections. SJ
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A Confused Hanukkah
By Jon Koons
Illustrated by S. D. Schindler
The rabbi of Chelm is nowhere to be found, and the villagers are in disarray because no one can remember how to celebrate Hanukkah. Yossel is sent to the nearby town to observe, and back he comes with ideas for decorating a tree with cookies and popcorn, glass balls and ribbons. And a fat man must dress in a beard and a velvet suit. The villagers dutifully prepare, the fat butcher dresses in a fancy suit and dubs himself Hanukkah Hershel. But a young boy, stoutly denying that he has ever seen Hanukkah celebrated this way before, brings them all up short. Just then the Rabbi returns from his trip, does a double take, and then uses the opportunity to remind the silly villagers (and the reader) what Hanukkah is really all about. For ages 5-8. SJ
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| For more holiday book options, be sure to check this month’s Quicklists. |
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