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 ARE YOU GRUMPY, SANTA?
Greg and Evan Spiridellis
Hyperion
ISBN: 0786818417
Ages 3-8
32 pages
It's Christmas Eve, but Santa Claus is not in a cheery mood. First, he steps out of bed and stubs his toe on a bowling ball. Then the elves shrink his Santa suit, Mrs. Claus puts him on a diet, and his reindeer nearly crash into the North Pole. When Santa finally reaches the first house on his list, he gets stuck in the chimney thanks to his "bowl full of jelly." Things turn from bad to worse when he's chased by a Parisian poodle and slips on a rigatoni noodle. Santa is ready to give up, but at his very last house he is reminded of what Christmas is really about.
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 THE BERENSTAIN BEARS SAVE CHRISTMAS
Stan and Jan Berenstain
illustrated by Michael Berenstain
HarperCollins
ISBN: 006052670X
Ages 4-8
48 pages
This year it appears as if everyone in Bear Country has gone Christmas-crazy --- fighting for the last toy on the shelf, jamming the roadways with honking cars, and almost covering their homes entirely with Christmas lights. Mama Bear is concerned, and she isn't the only one who thinks this Christmas lacks the true holiday spirit. Someone is watching the Bears on his scanner machine and doesn't like what he sees. It's Santa, and he's ready to cancel Christmas! It's now up to the Berenstain Bears to change his mind.
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 A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR MAMA
Lauren Thompson
illustrated by Jim Burke
Scholastic
ISBN: 0590307258
Ages 6-9
48 pages
Grace and her mother are in no mood to celebrate Christmas following the death of Grace's father in the spring. Grace tries to regain some holiday magic by selling her beloved doll so that she can buy her mother a special Christmas present. But she soon realizes that the most perfect gift is one that cannot be bought.
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 A CHRISTMAS WISH
Marcus Sedgwick
illustrated by Simon Bartram
Dutton Books
ISBN: 0525471952
Ages 5-8
32 pages
It's Christmas Eve, but it certainly doesn't feel like winter --- the weather is warm and the grass is still green. Before falling asleep, a boy makes an urgent wish for a snowstorm similar to the one in his swirling snow globe. Later that night, his dream magically comes true. Flakes begin to fall from the cloudless sky, and the world outside his window is soon taken over by the tumbling, twirling snow creatures that have brought the storm with them. But that's not the end of the story, because a very familiar visitor arrives with another surprise for the boy.
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 HENRY BEAR'S CHRISTMAS
David McPhail
Atheneum
ISBN: 0689821980
Ages 4-8
40 pages
Henry Bear loves Christmas more than anything. The most important part of the holiday for him is having the perfect tree. And Henry believes that the best tree available this year is the one that the church is raffling off. In fact, he spends all of his Christmas money on raffle tickets because he is so confident that the tree will ultimately go to him. But his friend Stanley is worried. What will they do if they don't win the raffle? Can they have Christmas without a tree?
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 HORRIBLE HARRY AND THE HOLIDAZE
Suzy Kline
illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
Viking Children's Books
ISBN: 0670036420
Ages 7-10
80 pages
Harry and his classmates in Room 3B have some important holiday celebrating to do --- and they're not limiting their discussions to Christmas. Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Three Kings' Day, and the Korean New Year are holidays that some of the students celebrate, and Miss Mackle wants everyone to learn about them. All of the kids are excited --- except Harry. He's not interested in holidays or ZuZu, the new student, or even the new class guinea pig. What's bothering Harry? And will he find a way to get into the holiday spirit?
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 IT'S KWANZAA TIME!
Linda and Clay Goss
illustrated by eight award-winning artists
G.P. Putnam's Sons
ISBN: 0399239561
All ages
72 pages
IT'S KWANZAA TIME! is an entertaining collection of stories, songs, activities, games and recipes that focus on and explain the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperation, purpose, creativity and faith. The lively text and illustrations by award-winning artists Jerry Pinkney, Ashley Bryan, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Floyd Cooper, Jonathan Green, and Leo and Diane Dillon bring together the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of Kwanzaa in one volume.
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 IT'S A MIRACLE! A Hanukkah Storybook
Stephanie Spinner
illustrated by Jill McElmurry
Atheneum
ISBN: 068984493X
Ages 4-8
48 pages
Every night of Hanukkah, after Owen --- the Official Candle Lighter --- lights the menorah, Grandma Karen tells him a bedtime story. On the first night there's the inspiring tale of a girl who dreams of becoming a rabbi. On the fourth night there's the amazing story of the alien who gets lost in a little girl's backyard. And on the seventh night there's the silly story about a boy who wants to be a baby --- and whose parents let him! Join Owen in discovering how each of these stories is also a celebration of his own heritage in this heartwarming book about faith, family and the miracle of Hanukkah.
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 LOOK-ALIKES CHRISTMAS: The More You Look, the More You See!
Joan Steiner
Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 0316811874
All ages
32 pages
This long-awaited new installment in the "Look-Alikes" series features more than 1,000 objects to find --- all created out of everyday objects --- such as dog biscuits, candy canes, candles, gloves and pinecones. It has nine original, breathtaking images, including a cathedral, the Nutcracker ballet, Santa's workshop, and Grandma's kitchen scene.
Also included are instructions on how to create your own Look-Alikes Christmas decorations, as well as a Q & A with author and illustrator Joan Steiner and color photos from her studio. This one-of-a kind book is a wonderful Christmas gift for people of any age!
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 MAMA HAD TO WORK ON CHRISTMAS
Carolyn Marsden
illustrated by Robert Casilla
Viking Children's Books
ISBN: 0670036358
Ages 7-11
73 pages
Gloria always spends Christmas with Papi, Mama and Nana. But this Christmas, Papi is away picking oranges and Mama has to work at the hotel where she's a maid. Gloria is miserable when she has to accompany Mama --- until they get to the hotel with its lavish decorations and food piled high on the tables. Mama explains that these lovely things are only for the guests: Gloria is to stay in the kitchen where nobody will see her. From her hiding spot, Gloria watches as a girl eats a fancy meal with her family. How can one girl have so much, while another has so little?
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 MY FIRST KWANZAA
Karen Katz
Henry Holt and Company
ISBN: 080507077X
Ages 4-8
32 pages
Author and illustrator Karen Katz begins a wonderful new series of picture books with MY FIRST KWANZAA. During the seven days of Kwanzaa we celebrate the importance of family, friends and community. This warm and lively introduction to a very special holiday will help even the youngest children join in the festivities.
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 MY NEW YORK: New Anniversary Edition
Kathy Jakobsen
Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 0316713503
All ages
44 pages
A young girl provides readers with a kids-eye view of New York City, guiding us to all her favorite places. We're introduced to the thrill of riding our own special horse on Central Park's colorful carousel, the magic of seeing the spectacular Fourth of July fireworks explode over the New York skyline, and much more.
Oversized fold-out pages of the Empire State Building, the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History, the Chrysler building and Rockefeller Center at Christmastime add to the fun, while a map in the front and fun facts in the back make a helpful guide. And included in this special holiday edition is a free greeting card! This gorgeous book is a marvelous gift for both children and adults.
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 THE STONE LAMP: Eight Stories of Hanukkah Through History
Karen Hesse and Brian Pinkney
Hyperion
ISBN: 0786806192
Ages 9-up
40 pages
The story of Hanukkah is the triumph of light over darkness, and the small miracles that give hope to individuals. In a series of eight powerful free-verse poems, award-winning author Karen Hesse captures the resilient spirit of the Jewish people through the voices of eight children at Hanukkah. They have all experienced loss and hardship, but are united by love, family and their cherished stone lamp, which provides each child with comfort and hope.
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 THE TRUE STORY OF CHRISTMAS
Anne Fine
Delacorte
ISBN: 0385731302
Ages 10-up
144 pages
Great Granny is in a surly mood. Grandpa is singing to the dog. Great Aunt Ida is completely bonkers. Uncle Tristam is giving out bricks. The cousins are whining and throwing tantrums. Mum is looking for Dad. Dad is looking for aspirin. And Ralph is looking to stay out of trouble. But when a Christmas Quiz brings out some hidden truths, trouble is exactly what Ralph finds. It's anything but a silent, holy night for the Mountfield family!
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 WHO'LL PULL SANTA'S SLEIGH TONIGHT?
Laura Rader
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060080884
Ages 4-8
40 pages
Christmas is just around the corner. Santa's sleigh is polished. The toys are wrapped. The lists have all been checked (twice). Everything is right on schedule --- until Santa finds all eight reindeer in bed with the flu. How can Santa possibly deliver presents without his reindeer?
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--- Compiled and written by Tom Donadio
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