The holiday season is upon us. TV has turned into a giant toy commercial. Walmart is a war zone. And all my son can talk about is this weird ass card game that I have never heard of. Tis the season.
In trying to spread education and respect for all I am putting forth my best effort to teach my kids about all holidays that occur in the next month. Let me tell you, it has NOT been a cake walk.
I have been taking books and books and books out of the library all year round that focus on different cultures, celebrations, and peoples. Now that holiday season is here I have made a serious effort (we’re talking 3 times a week library trips) to find the perfect books to inspire, educate, enlighten, and heighten interest in the boy. So far I have had no luck. The Hanukkah books are D-R-Y. I’m not Jewish so I don’t really know the staple books. But I know they can’t all be super boring. It’s the festival of lights man! The Kwanza books are ok, at least the ones I found, but I am renting them from a library in a town with a population of 20 African-Americans. Probably not 20, but not 20,000 either. The selection is slim. And the winter solcitice books, NON EXSISTENT. I’ve got Christmas covered, I think. We usually do The Night Before Christmas & follow up with The Nightmare Before Christmas. Although I don’t really have any books that explain the whole Jesus thing in a fun non boring & dry way. I guess I’m not covered.
SO…
I have decided to buy a holiday collection for our library (built of wine boxes) but I desperately need your help. Any suggestions pertaining to ALL holidays, cultures, astrological will be considered and appreciated!
***The first five readers to suggest a GREAT HOLIDAY BOOK will receive from me (and the Cuyahoga County Public Library) the award winning & beautiful illustrated Great Books For Kids 2008 book. Just make sure to leave me your email. Peace & War.
****CONGRATS MICHELLE V!
I love the classic Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg…and the movie is pretty darling as well.
I also love Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh. It is about a dog who thinks the song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is about him when he hears them sing “All of the other reindeer.” I just took the boys I watch (I am a nanny) to the library and we found a movie for that book as well. They love it!
Lastly, I love Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo who also wrote Tale of Despereaux, Because of Winn Dixie, The Mercy Watson Series, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Great Joy is beautifully illustrated and has a wonderful Christmas message.
Hope that helps…I used to teach and collect children’s books so I could go on for days!
I agree, Hanukkah books can be dry. however, we have one my daughter loves. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel. It is a fictional story, so if you were just looking for books that explain the holiday and its history, this may not be the one. However, on the last page of the book the author does give the history of Hanukkah as well as describing what a dreidel, menorah and latkes are. The story is fun and this book is a Caldecott Honor Book. Good luck!
I know of two great Hanukkah books – and one even has to do with cooking!! My kids like “Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah” by Linda Glaser (silly with a great lesson about helping others during the holidays) and they still love “Chanukah Bugs: A Pop-up Celebration” by David A. Carter.
Good luck with the Bakugan!! There are a horror to find!!!!
I can’t think of any titles but I have a suggestion. Try Holcolmb’s (at Southpark or Great Northern). They have a seasonal section with books. You might want to buy a copy of the December issue of Preschool Mailbox. It’s a teacher magazine with great actiivities to teach about the December Holidays. They usually suggest books to go with the lessons!
Good luck! I love what you’re doing. Very inspiring!
First time poster, though I love your site…linked to it from another blog.
A great choice is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Light on the religion, but a great message! I have lots of nieces and nephews, and used to teach preschool before my shiny new career in pastry. That book is always a hit!
I”m taking notes from these comments because I have nothing to add!
Did Michelle have her baby???
i was just introduced to elf on the shelf as a cute xmas tradition .
http://www.elfontheshelf.com/index_html.php
A great book is “Gus and Grandpa and the Christmas Cookies” by Claudia Mills. It’s a great book about family traditions (baking cookies w/ Grandpa) and about being aware of others who are less fortunate. Lessons on gratitude, kindness and generosity are illustrated without being preachy. It’s not a religious book, but does well sharing the “spirit” of Christmas.
I ran a search on “Children’s books for The Winter Solstice”, since that is my thing and found many links. I’m not surprised that the public library doesn’t carry anything. You are probably going to have to order from the net.
On a happy note: The days will be getting longer very, very soon.
Ahh the dreaded Hanukkah books! When I taught preschool I had to devote a whole week to Hanukkah and I remember really struggling to find anything good. The one book that my kids really loved is called “Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat” by Naomi Howland. Have you read it?
I’ll summarize: Little girl helps old lady gather firewood. Old lady gives little girl magic frying pan that will cook latkes when you say the magic words. You also need to know magic words to get the frying pan to stop cooking. The little girl has 3 brothers who try and use the frying pan without big sis and eventually their town is buried in a pile of potato pancakes. Everyone has full tummies on Hanukkah, yay! Very funny story.
The Latke who Couldn’t Stop Screaming is my new favorite holiday story.