Inspiring holidays stories make great gifts for children
Published 2:26 pm Friday, December 14, 2007
This Christmas, make sure to include the gift of a book, such as the selections reviewed below. It’s the only present a child can open again and again and again.
Books to Borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“Winter’s Gift” written and illustrated by Jane Monroe Donovan, 32 pages
Read aloud: ages 4 to 5 and older
Read yourself: ages 7 to 8 and older
An old man lived on a small farm in the woods. It was Dec. 24, and a blizzard had covered everything in white. This year was different, for the man’s wife had died months ago, and he no longer had any hope in his heart.
As he prepared his dinner, he heard a sound outside and went to investigate, finding a mare lying in the snow. He gently helped her to her feet and led her to his barn where he warmed her and gave her food and drink. Exhausted, he fell asleep in the hay. When he woke on Christmas morning, he found a very special gift, and for the first time in a long while, he found himself looking forward to the next day.
An outstanding book, this selection resounds with compassion and joy.
Librarian’s Choice
Library: Sultan Library, 319 Main St., Sultan
Director: Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory
Children’s Librarian: Kate Johnson
Choices this week: “The Divide” by Elzabeth Kay; “Olive’s Ocean” by Kevin Henkes; “Baby Mouse” by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Books to Buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“Hans Brinker” retold by Bruce Coville, illustrated by Laurel Long, Dial, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover
Read aloud: ages 5 to 6 and older
Read yourself: ages 8 to 10
Hans Brinker and his sister, Gretel, want to compete in the upcoming skating race. The prize is a pair of silver ice skates — one for the girls and one for the boys. But Hans and Gretel can’t race on their old wooden skates. When Hans has an opportunity to make a little money, he buys a decent pair of skates for his sister. Then Hans offers what money he has left to a doctor, asking him to help cure his very sick father. It is this selfless act of love that sets into motion a series of miracles.
Beautifully retold and lavishly illustrated, this dramatic and enchanting story excels.
“Rabbit’s Gift” by George Shannon, illustrated by Laura Dronzek, 32 pages, $16 hardcover
Read aloud: ages 3 to 7
Read yourself: ages 7 to 8
Rabbit knew it was going to snow soon, so he hurried to find some food. At last he found two turnips and quickly rolled them home. As he nibbled on one turnip, he thought about Donkey and wondered if she had enough to eat. Rabbit took his extra turnip to Donkey, and when Donkey wasn’t there, he left it by her door. Rabbit’s generosity is repeated over and over from one forest animal to another.
“Dear Mermaid” by Alan Durant, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban, 28 pages, $12.99 hardcover
Read aloud: ages 5 to 8
Read yourself: age 8
Holly is vacationing at the beach with her family when she finds a mermaid’s purse in the sand. She decides she must give the purse back to the mermaid, so Holly writes a note in the sand and leaves the purse there. To her surprise and delight, the next day the purse is there with a note from the mermaid — a mermaid princess named Kora.
Over and over the two friends exchange notes and other treasures until at last Holly’s vacation ends. Their friendship, however, is sealed with a special gift from Princess Kora to Holly — a sea horse charm that readers will have for themselves on the last page.
A charming story that boasts numerous envelopes to open, letters to read and other enclosures, this book is certain to ignite a child’s imagination.
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached via e-mail, kendal@sunlink.net.
