Celebrate with Books
December is full of holidays, festivals and traditions that are as numerous as there are families. Share a few of these titles with your loved ones to celebrate familiar memories or explore new ones.
Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa, by Donna L. Washington, illus. by Shane W. Evans (HarperCollins). Li’l Rabbit wants to give his sick grandmother a very special treat for the big feast of Karamu. But what should he do? He asks all the woodland creatures who don’t know much about Kwanzaa but love Granna Rabbit very much. When he sadly returns without a good idea, all the animals have made the best Karamu ever by coming together to help others – which is the very heart of this holiday. (3 – 7)
Jackie’s Gift, by Sharon Robinson, illus. by E.B. Lewis (Penguin). The great Jackie Robinson’s daughter shares the story of her family’s first Christmas in Brooklyn. Not everyone is glad the famous Dodger is moving to their neighborhood. But a young Dodger’s fan, Steve Satlow, is thrilled, and becomes friends with the family. During the holidays, Mr. Robinson learns that the Satlows don’t have a Christmas tree and decides to give them one. But the Satlows are Jewish. What could have been an awkward situation turns into a gift that allows both families to realize how much they have in common. (5-9)
Hanukkah Haiku by Harriet Ziefert, illus. by Karla Gudeon (Blue Apple). A beautifully illustrated and constructed book, this gem provides eight simple poems that share the joy of this holiday with your family. All the best moments of the season, including lighting the candles, eating latkes and applesauce and, of course, hearing the story of the Macabees, are exuberantly collected in this lovely book. The illustrations, inspired by Marc Chagall, are bright and uplifting. Blue Apple also has produced a Star-of-David-shaped box puzzle inspired by the book. A wonderful gift for the family. (4 and up)
N is for Navidad by Susan Middleton Elya and Mary Banks, illus. by Joe Cepeda (Chronicle). This alphabet book for a lively Latino Christmas covers everything from A to Z and much more! Short, rhyming text provides abundant information on the special celebrations the Christmas season brings in Hispanic households. How they managed to make the alphabet work chronologically is sheer brilliance! Las Posadas is included, as the book makes its way to Three Kings Day with children putting hay in their zapatos for the kings’ camels. Includes an author’s note and glossary of Spanish words. (4 and up)
Winter Lights: A Season in Poems and Quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines (Greenwillow/HarperCollins). A perfect book to share between young and old, Hines’ quiltwork tells an amazing story of winter and all her celebrations. Symbols of Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, St. Lucia’s and the Chinese New Year are all present, as is solstice and the aurora borealis. From stars to firelight to icicles, the images that appear in her quilts are fascinating. An endnote on quilt making gives a hint to the craftsmanship required to illustrate all the pages in this beautiful book. (All Ages)
Julie Hubble makes dumplings and shoots off rockets every New Year’s Day in Leawood, KS.