I love to read My Peguin Osbert to the kids. It allows for wonderful discussion about being careful what we wish for, and also what the kids wish Santa would bring to them. I can't not read Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins. I read this to every grade every year. By about the second grade when they walk into the library and see the book in my reading basket the kids eyes get really big and the whispers start. "Hey it's the goblin book. She's going to read us the goblin book!!"
Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkley Breathed always makes us laugh at our house. My personal favorite is Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate; it has beautiful pictures and is so tender. Of course, those are just 2 books from the big basket of holiday books that I put between the sofa and the fireplace!
I love the book, Welcome Comfort. I think I like it because the kid that gets bullied comes out on top. I always love a story where the underdog wins.
I also am a big fan of The Christmas Carol. When I was little my family would start reading it on the 1st day of December and use it like an advent calendar. We would read a few pages each day and end up finishing it on Christmas eve.
I also like the Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I enjoy reading the description of the Herdmans to the kids at school when we talk about characters. It's just such a great description especially when you are a teacher and can appreciate just what these kids were like.
When I was teaching in the classroom, I would read Best Christmas Pageant Ever aloud. We had the best time laughing with the book. When I went to the Library, I loved reading Christmas Picture Books and one of the favorites was Dream Snow. The Kindergarten loved the end of the book when the bells ring. At Ensign, because they have that beautiful fireplace, I would have the students sit on the floor around the fireplace and read Twas the Night Before Christmas. I don't get to read these fun books so much anymore. Once in a while I get to read to the Preschool kids. I miss reading the really fun picture books and watching the faces of the kids as you read aloud to them.
My favorite holiday book just for me is the Christmas Box Miracle by Richard Paul Evans. The story of how the Christmas Box book came to be is inspiring to me and gives me goose bumps all over just thinking about it.
I have several Hannukah books that I share - but one of the favorites of the students is "Hershel and the Hannukah goblins". The first week of Dec. is devoted to Hannukah stories, the second week we have stories from Africa in the spirit of Kwaanza (I know it isn't an African holiday - but it fits with the tradition), and the last week is devoted to Christmas. One of my favorite books from my Childhood is "The Animals Merry Christmas" - also published as "Richard Scary's The Animals...". Every year I take out my belovedly worn teddy bear, and sit him on my lap to read the kindergardners the story of "The bare Polar Bear'. I have found that there were at least 4 different editions of that book, each different from the others in some significant way. And each has further awaken my memories of siting on my favorite step at home - reading and dreaming of Christmas.
A few years ago I found beautifully illustrated copies of A Christmas Carol and (EEK! what's the story of the couple--he sells his watch, she sells her hair?!? Gift of the Magi, maybe?) Yeah, that one. But they're both illustrated by the same person and I can't resist reading them each Christmas because of these wispy, soft illustrations.
OH! I forgot The Polar Express...but it MUST be coupled with the audio recording by William Hurt (NO ONE ELSE!). He makes it magical! I haven't been able to find it online or on CD. I just have my old tape that I play for the kids.
Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant is a lovely picture book evoking Christmas memories as a granddaughter visits her grandparents in their cozy home at Christmas.
You have to get your hands on a copy of: A NATIVE AMERICAN NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Gary Robinson! Make certain you share it with the kids. I have found a Native American narration of the book (shortened version) on YouTube.
There is a wonderful Hannukah book called Eight Winter Nights by Laura Krauss Melmed. Told in poetry and taking a family through the eight nights of Hannukah. There is also The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco. Such a nice mix of Christmas and Hannukah, which so many of my students celebrate both.
How Many Days to America? by Eve Bunting is not a Christmas story, but a Thanksgiving story about refugees from a Carribbean island who after a dangerous boat trip to America have a special reason to celebrate Thanksgiving. This book is in the Northwest Picture Plus Collection as it seems suited to older as well as younger readers.
I heard two news clips on this new book by Justice Sonia Sotomayor ...The nation's first Latina justice.
Her new memoir, My Beloved World, published simultaneously in English and Spanish, is classic Sotomayor: intelligent, gregarious and at times disarmingly personal.
I love to read My Peguin Osbert to the kids. It allows for wonderful discussion about being careful what we wish for, and also what the kids wish Santa would bring to them. I can't not read Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins. I read this to every grade every year. By about the second grade when they walk into the library and see the book in my reading basket the kids eyes get really big and the whispers start. "Hey it's the goblin book. She's going to read us the goblin book!!"
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard of My Penuing Osbert. I'll have to hunt this one down. Sounds intriguing!
DeleteRed Ranger Came Calling by Berkley Breathed always makes us laugh at our house. My personal favorite is Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate; it has beautiful pictures and is so tender. Of course, those are just 2 books from the big basket of holiday books that I put between the sofa and the fireplace!
ReplyDeleteI love the book, Welcome Comfort. I think I like it because the kid that gets bullied comes out on top. I always love a story where the underdog wins.
ReplyDeleteI also am a big fan of The Christmas Carol. When I was little my family would start reading it on the 1st day of December and use it like an advent calendar. We would read a few pages each day and end up finishing it on Christmas eve.
I also like the Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I enjoy reading the description of the Herdmans to the kids at school when we talk about characters. It's just such a great description especially when you are a teacher and can appreciate just what these kids were like.
Ahhh...the Herdmans. :)
DeleteWhen I was teaching in the classroom, I would read Best Christmas Pageant Ever aloud. We had the best time laughing with the book. When I went to the Library, I loved reading Christmas Picture Books and one of the favorites was Dream Snow. The Kindergarten loved the end of the book when the bells ring. At Ensign, because they have that beautiful fireplace, I would have the students sit on the floor around the fireplace and read Twas the Night Before Christmas. I don't get to read these fun books so much anymore. Once in a while I get to read to the Preschool kids. I miss reading the really fun picture books and watching the faces of the kids as you read aloud to them.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I'm glad you reminded me of Dream Snow, I have it in my professional collection and forget it is there! Kinder and pre-K love it!
DeleteMy favorite holiday book just for me is the Christmas Box Miracle by Richard Paul Evans. The story of how the Christmas Box book came to be is inspiring to me and gives me goose bumps all over just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite holiday book is A Christmas Carol. I try to read it every December.
ReplyDeleteI have several Hannukah books that I share - but one of the favorites of the students is "Hershel and the Hannukah goblins". The first week of Dec. is devoted to Hannukah stories, the second week we have stories from Africa in the spirit of Kwaanza (I know it isn't an African holiday - but it fits with the tradition), and the last week is devoted to Christmas. One of my favorite books from my Childhood is "The Animals Merry Christmas" - also published as "Richard Scary's The Animals...". Every year I take out my belovedly worn teddy bear, and sit him on my lap to read the kindergardners the story of "The bare Polar Bear'. I have found that there were at least 4 different editions of that book, each different from the others in some significant way. And each has further awaken my memories of siting on my favorite step at home - reading and dreaming of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGlad you mentioned Hannukah books. We have quite a few Jewish kids at our school and I'm always looking for Hannukah books.
DeleteA few years ago I found beautifully illustrated copies of A Christmas Carol and (EEK! what's the story of the couple--he sells his watch, she sells her hair?!? Gift of the Magi, maybe?) Yeah, that one. But they're both illustrated by the same person and I can't resist reading them each Christmas because of these wispy, soft illustrations.
ReplyDeleteOH! I forgot The Polar Express...but it MUST be coupled with the audio recording by William Hurt (NO ONE ELSE!). He makes it magical! I haven't been able to find it online or on CD. I just have my old tape that I play for the kids.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant is a lovely picture book evoking Christmas memories as a granddaughter visits her grandparents in their cozy home at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYou have to get your hands on a copy of: A NATIVE AMERICAN NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Gary Robinson!
ReplyDeleteMake certain you share it with the kids.
I have found a Native American narration of the book (shortened version) on YouTube.
There is a wonderful Hannukah book called Eight Winter Nights by Laura Krauss Melmed. Told in poetry and taking a family through the eight nights of Hannukah. There is also The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco. Such a nice mix of Christmas and Hannukah, which so many of my students celebrate both.
ReplyDeleteHow Many Days to America? by Eve Bunting is not a Christmas story, but a Thanksgiving story about refugees from a Carribbean island who after a dangerous boat trip to America have a special reason to celebrate Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThis book is in the Northwest Picture Plus Collection as it seems suited to older as well as younger readers.
I heard two news clips on this new book by Justice Sonia Sotomayor ...The nation's first Latina justice.
ReplyDeleteHer new memoir, My Beloved World, published simultaneously in English and Spanish, is classic Sotomayor: intelligent, gregarious and at times disarmingly personal.
http://www.npr.org/2013/01/14/169157494/of-the-people-sonia-sotomayor-s-amazing-rise