Saturday, December 05, 2015

Tales for the Holidays

With Hanukkah starting at sundown on December 6 and Christmas just three weeks away, there's no better time than now to tell you about our newest books for the holiday season!



Everyone's favorite big red dog learns about Hanukkah traditions in Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah. While at their friend Melissa's house, Clifford and Emily eat latkes and spin the dreidel, but the holiday fun appears to be in danger when the lights go out! Luckily, Clifford saves the day.



Young Oskar has arrived in New York City on the seventh day of Hanukkah, which also happens to be Christmas Eve in 1939. Oskar's parents have sent him (all alone) to live with his aunt in New York City; as he makes the long snowy journey to his aunt's house, he encounters several small acts of kindness from New Yorkers.  The focus in Oskar and the Eight Blessings is on the kindness of strangers rather than the rising horrors of Nazi Germany that separated him from his parents.





Sonia Manzano is having a remarkable year! Not only did she retire from Sesame Street this year (as "Maria"), but her young adult memoir has landed on several "best books of 2015" lists. Miracle on 133rd Street, like her previous books, is set in a New York Puerto Rican neighborhood. Everyone, for some reason, is a bit grumpy on Christmas Eve; as they share in a feast, the communal goodwill reminds them of the true spirit of Christmas.



Did you know that a sequel to Rudolph was published in 1954? Not me! Reprinted this year, Rudolph Shines Again finds our hero despondent when his red nose no longer shines as brightly as it once did. Oh, no! Although he rightly feels sorry for himself, two baby bunnies lost in the woods help him forget his troubles. D'awwwww.




Eric Carle's caterpillar is an industry upon itself, so it's no surprise that a Christmas board book featuring the little guy has been super popular ever since we received it. The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Christmas 123  counts his way through the Christmas season; this board book would be a perfect gift for babies and toddlers.


You can find my all-time favorite Christmas reads in this post, and some terrific Hanukkah books in this post from 2013.

In the midst of holiday preparations, I hope you can find some time to enjoy some seasonal reads. Enjoy!

Jennifer Schultz, Youth Services Librarian, Fauquier County Public Library 




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