Yay! Holiday Books! Lee Littlewood
Brand-new books for kids bring festivity and cheer to every holiday celebration. They also make wonderful gifts for youngsters, teachers and librarians.
"Best Christmas Book Ever!" by Richard Scarry; Sterling Publishing; 46 pages; $12.95.
For such an oversized, packed-full-of-fun book, this Scarry compilation is affordably priced. The four holiday tales -- starring Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm and Santa and his elves -- are satisfying enough. But there's more joy inside, from songs with lyrics and melodies to games, a list of Christmas words and instructions for making a fantastic gift for Grandma.
Brightly colored with images of firefighters hanging lights, crowded stores and friends ice skating, Richard Scarry's "Best Christmas Book Ever!" is a sparkly gift for any young child.
"Imogene's Antlers" by David Small; Crown/Random House; 32 pages; $16.99.
Another visit to the past since this classic (now 25 years old and timeless) makes a funny holiday read. Kids will laugh out loud when young Imogene -- a human girl -- grows antlers, and they will relate to her ingenious ways to try to use her new appendages. Perfect for a quick read-aloud and as an independent read for beginners, "Imogene's Antlers" will delight a whole new generation.
In my opinion, the best page spread is Imogene sitting on a bench with doughnuts filling her antlers, while wintertime birds nibble away.
"Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" by Chris Plehal; pictures by James Bernardin; HarperCollins; 32 pages; $16.99.
In 1897, a classic holiday tale was born when little Virginia wrote to a New York newspaper asking, "Is there a Santa Claus?" The emotional explanation given by the editor to Virginia has since turned into one of the most famous holiday stories in history.
Based on actual events, Plehal's new picture book version is the story of 8-year-old Virginia with lively, happy illustrations from artist James Bernardin. A fantastic tale perfect for younger audiences, "Yes, Virginia" will encourage kids to believe by emphasizing the power of imagination.
Plehal's Virginia will also be featured in a CBS-TV animated special on Friday, Dec. 17. And Virginia debuted as a balloon giant in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
"Jackie's Gift" by Sharon Robinson; illustrated by E.B. Lewis; Viking/Penguin; 32 pages; $16.99.
Subtitled "A True Story of Christmas, Hanukkah and Jackie Robinson," this thoughtful remembrance -- from baseball great Robinson's daughter and Caldecott Honor winner E.B. Lewis -- is a smart lesson in the importance of uniting during the holidays.
The tale takes place when the Robinson family moved to a neighborhood in Brooklyn normally prejudiced against African-Americans in 1948. A friendly family named the Satlows stood up against racism by welcoming the new family and even helping them decorate their Christmas tree. As a thank you, young Jackie gave a gift of a new tree to the family, only to realize they were Jewish and didn't celebrate Christmas.
The two families became close friends who united in spite of their differences. A heartfelt look at the importance of kindness and open-mindedness -- especially in a time when many take offense at the titles of other's holidays -- "Jackie's Gift" is special. It's also a touching look at the soft side of a baseball legend.
"A Wish for Elves" by Mark Gonyea; Henry Holt and Co.; 32 pages; $12.99.
This lighthearted picture book is designed graphically -- with pages set up like a comic book and only vivid colors of reds, greens and yellows. The tale of a boy who feels the holiday stress and wishes for his own elves to help out, Gonyea's book contains briefly text, with phrases such as: "Groan ..." and "Ow! Ow!" and "I've got my own elves ... Woo-Hoo!"
At first the boy's new elves -- artistically penned as triangles with circle faces and big feet -- do all his chores and his homework, too. But soon, they're not so perfect and start demanding bedtime stories and cookies. The boy hilariously tries to sell them and ship them off for free. Eventually, he ties their feet to balloons, where they soon make it home to the North Pole and Santa just in time.
A truly cool and easy holiday read, "A Wish for Elves" tickles the funny bone.
To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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Rudyard Kipling (Dec. 30, 1865 - Jan. 18, 1936)
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born in India, to which he returned after boarding school to become a newspaper editor. As he traveled around India as a reporter, he also began writing short stories, which quickly became successful. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. After his death in 1936, the popularity of his written works began to wane, as people started to consider them outdated and too political. However, his popularity has grown again in recent years, despite the criticism of others.
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Kids' Home Library This Week's Birthdays
Charles Babbage -- December 26, 1865
Innovator, mathemetician, and inventor of the difference engine.
Read more about Charles Babbage.
Henry Miller -- December 26, 1891
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