One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell illustrated by Emily Sutton*

 Theo, a lonely boy, is left alone on Christmas Eve because his parents are more dedicated to work than home and family. Left with a neglectful baby-sitter, Theo spies a "shooting star" and wishes not to be alone. Suddenly, old ornaments hanging on the Christmas tree come to life and give Theo an incredible Christmas Eve.

Substantial length-(64 pages)

The illustrations look old-fashion. Quite a few two page spreads are included. Beautiful.

*Highly recommend.

Considerations/discuss: parents who love work more than child (but this is resolved by the end), the word a** when referring to donkey at the manger

-Borrowed from the library

Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell

 A teeny book packed with thought-provoking essays about children's books, their history, and their benefits. I do not agree with the author's politics.

-Borrowed via ILL.

A Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri illustrated by Vesper Stamper

 Readers will learn about the complicated process of creating a rug in this picture book. An Iranian boy and his grandmother make a Persian rug together (from wool prepping to dying to weaving). The subject matter fascinated me. When children are learning about weaving, the Middle East, or Iranian culture, this book would be perfect to share.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Smell of Wet Dog & Other Dog Poems and Drawings by Barry Saltzberg*

 A wide variety of poems about dogs    

Some poems are from the dog's point of view; others are from the human's point of view. Based on his poems, Mr. Saltzberg has observed dogs and their antics very well! Fun poems!

I especially like the last poem! 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam

 I almost read this book in one day! The plot will keep the reader engaged from the start until the end.

Eighth grader Ajay always gets straight As. His parents expect it. Their high expectations apply to many situations. Their strictness affects his and his sister's ability to maintain friends and to fit in. Ajay's priority at his new school is make the most popular boy, Jacob Underson, like him. Huge problem-Jacob does not like Ajay and finds ways to manipulate him each day. In desperation, Ajay agrees to steal a candy bar at the convenience store across from the school. This one act of dishonesty paves the way to more lies and deceit. How will he stop from lying so he can return to a life of integrity?

Faith is integrated but not Ajay's source of strength. The family is Catholic and attends Mass each Sunday. Ajay confesses to a priest about his sins. Families not from a Catholic background may want to discuss this belief system.

Discuss: lying, stealing, bullies, Catholicism, immigrants, heart attack, Ajay likes a girl, Mindy, and expresses his interest in different ways-they develop a good friendship

Readers who like characters who are flawed and realistic will appreciate this story.

-Borrowed from the library.

Impossible Creatures Book Two: The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie*

 To his delight, Christopher Forrester is summoned back to Glimouria Archipelago. Dragons are dying. He is needed to determine the cause.

Anya Arden, the princess of Dousha, is devastated when her grandfather dies. When her father is accused of murdering him, Anya begins to investigate. Soon she is banished from the castle.

She and Christopher join forces to decipher how to prevent the evil and the hatred seeping into the archipelago. Unusual creatures assist them ( The Guardian's Bestiary in the book is very helpful!).

An exciting fantasy book-the chapters are short. A reader could devour this book in one sitting! I like how Anya deals with her hatred and her desire for revenge (she realizes how detrimental they are)

*Highly recommend for 5th grade and older.

Considerations: feelings of hatred and desires to avenge, violence-some descriptive, the girl has center-stage for being fierce; the boy is more the supportive role, a man and woman share a kiss (very sweet)

-Borrowed from the library.

Orphan Train text set

 This past week my son's history textbook dedicated a portion of the chapter to the orphan trains, which started in 1853 and ended in 1929. Intrigued by this bit of history, I requested a few books about it. I borrowed all of the books from the library and also highly recommend them.

1. Orphan Train by Verla Kay illustrated by Ken Stark-picture book-rhyming text, expressive illustrations that add to the text  Younger readers can experience what life was like for an orphan child in the streets and then sent on a train to be matched with a family.  2nd-6th grade

2. Orphan Trains-Taking the Rails to a New Life by Rebecca Langston-George-Seven children who were orphans are featured in this nonfiction chapter book. Readers learn about their lives before being matched with a family and then what the family was like. I especially liked how the author provides information about them as adults. For grades 3-8th

3. Orphan Rider-One Boy's True Story by Andrea Warren-Featuring Lee Nailing, this book alternates chapters with basic information about the orphan train operation with Lee's progress-from being abandoned by his father to finding a home to being reunited with some of his brothers. For grades 2nd-8th.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever-DVD**

 My sister-in-law recommended this movie to me (the 2024 one).

When my boys were younger, I would read aloud this short book to them at Christmas. This movie production adheres to the story and even enhances and illuminates the theme. 

The acting, the music, and scenery is superb.

I loved how the producers share what each Herdman is "currently doing" during the credits. Very creative! Lauren Graham, from Gilmore Girls, is the adult Beth narrating as she remembers this specific pageant.

Considerations: If you have read the story, you know that the Herdmans are awful-fight, cuss, smoke cigars. No swear words are uttered. Taking God's name in vain is audible. 

**Highly, highly recommend. It caused me to focus on Christ and how He came for us all-while we were yet sinners. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Christmas Sweater by Jan Brett

 On Christmas Day Theo and his dog, Ari venture out to Echo Lake- Theo, wearing his new snowshoes, and Ari, wearing a new sweater (made by Yiayia-Grandmother in Greek). Ari does not like the sweater. But when the snow flutters down and covers their tracks, the yarn from the sweater leads them home!

I like the Greek allusions.

I find that Ms. Brett's illustrations of people are not very crisp. But her illustrations of animals and setting are still stunning!

-Borrowed from the library.

The Sister of the Angels by Elizabeth Goudge illustrated by C. Walter Hodges

 Because of her neglectful (but loving) father, Henrietta lives with the Canon and Mrs. Fordyce (aka "grandfather" and "grandmother") in the Cathedral Close of Torminster. With her father visiting this Christmas, Henrietta is especially anticipating the season. A stranger returns to town and offers many surprises to Henrietta, her father, and the Canon.

Consideration: a racial slur 

Borrowed via ILL.

Do Great Things for God-Fanny Crosby by Laura Caputo-Wickham illustrated by Jess Rose*

 A simple biography for kids yet packed with interesting information about Fanny Crosby  She was an amazing woman!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Funny Things-A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M. Schulz by Lucas Debus and Francesco Matteuzzi**

 My sister-in-law told me about this fabulous book!

This four hundred thirty-three page comic book relates Mr. Schulz's life from his perspective as an older gentleman. His reflections are humorous. I loved how the tone reveals his personality. The two authors/illustrators truly bring him to life. The readers will feel like they are chatting with him.

Superbly written and researched!

Considerations before handing to an elementary or junior high reader: Schulz's mom tells him to write smut comic strip/cartoons so they sell, his mom wants to throw stuff a lady who will sing hymns to her, his mom has cancer & dies, his 1st marriage is unhappy, he has an affair while married (not details but he is delighting in a relationship w/ another women), divorce, he has heart issues and then cancer, he searches for God and seems to have a relationship w/ Him but does not consistently go to church in his later years

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggins

 Carol Bird was born on Christmas Day. Celebrating her birthday on Christmas each year delighted her and her family. Even though years later she becomes ill and bed-ridden, she continues to bring joy to those around her. Her last Christmas on earth she invites a less fortunate family to join her festivities. 

I liked reading this shorter story but did not like how sadly it ended. Carol is an inspiring character, though. First published in 1886.

 Spoiler alert & consideration: She dies that last Christmas.

-Borrowed via ILL.

The Holly Hedge and Other Christmas Stories by Temple Bailey

 Five short stories that center on the love and hope that Christmas brings

Perfectly delightful stories   The kind of stories I want to read this time of year!  Well-written

  I especially liked the last one, "The Holly Hedge" as the two marriages are juxaposed.

Considerations: the names give to a group of people   This book was published a hundred years ago, so if one considers when it was written, one understands the context.

-Borrowed via ILL (the copy I read was one hundred years old!)

Only photos avaiable are a spine or are too large for this page.

Christmas on Exeter Street by Diana Hendry illustrated by John Lawrence*

 What a fun & delightful story!

The Mistletoe Family welcomes grandparents, uncles, friends, and strangers on the two days before Christmas. Every space is utilized for sleeping arrangements. Readers will chuckle at the creative spots Mrs. Mistletoe finds for her guests. I loved the two page spread that requires the reader to flip the book vertically to view it-a cutaway of the house where everyone is sleeping.

Consideration: Father Christmas arrives to bring gifts to the 18 children!

If  I find this book, I would like to buy it! 

The author & illustrators are British.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Meet Molly-An American Girl 1944 #1

 Molly & her friends are trying to come up with an amazing Halloween costume during a time when money and resources are limited. Molly's mother suggests that they dress as hulu girls with paper flowers and grass skirts made out of newspaper & crepe paper. When Molly & her friends make fun of Ricky for liking a girl, he vows to get revenge. A "war" breaks out between them. Molly, her friends, and Ricky learn some valuable lessons about anger and revenge.

Considerations: lying, Molly likes it when someone is jealous of her, anger & revenge (Molly's mother address this)-all bad behavior is portrayed as bad and consequences occur, Ricky has a crush on Jill's friend, so Molly & friends sing the "K-I-S-S-I-N-G" song to him

-Borrowed from the library.

Like a Diamond in the Sky by Elizabeth Brown illustrated by Becca Stadtlander*

 A beautiful book about the woman, Jane Taylor, who wrote the famous poem "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". It mostly focuses on her unique upbringing and childhood influences plus her sister Ann's and her struggle to be published authors as women. 

*Highly recommend 

-Borrowed via ILL.

The Old Peabody Pew-A Christmas Romance of a Country Church by Kate Douglas Wiggin

 Another delightful Christmas story by Ms. Wiggin!

The orthodox meeting-house in Edgewood, Maine is the center of this story's action. A group of women, the Dorcas Society, determinedly advocate for its upkeep and renovations. During this Christmas, the women decide to carpet certain sections and scrub the pews. Nancy Wentworth volunteers to oversee the Peabody Pew. Secretly, she longs for the young man who used to sit in this pew, Justin Peabody. Ten years ago he vowed if he could earn some money he would return for her. 

I loved escaping to this village during its Christmas season and experiencing reconciliation between two lonely people.

-Borrowed via ILL (my copy was 125 years old . . each page had a beautiful Christmas-themed border. The pages were thick paper! Such a treasure!).

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

 Bill Furlong contemplates life as he continues his daily, seemingly mundane tasks-delivering coal to the people in his Irish village and being a faithful husband and also father to his daughters. During his reflections, readers learn about his unusual upbringing, which factors into his decision that will impact his family's life. 

Ms. Keegan's writing immerses the reader into 1985 Ireland with an ordinary man who realizes that he can make a difference. I really appreciate and like her writing style. Readers who like an action-packed plot will not enjoy this story. On the other hand, those readers who like reflective characters and a contemplative mood/theme, will enjoy this story.

Ms. Keegan bases this story on a Catholic church cover-up about the Magdalen laundries (not closed down until 1996).

-Borrowed from the library.

 

American Girls Collection-Molly's Surprise-A Christmas Story Book Three by Valerie Tripp illustrated by Nick Backes

 I am giving my niece the American Girls Collection-Molly for Christmas this year. I decided to preview a couple of the books in the series.

Molly and her family are missing their father, Dr. McIntire, this Christmas. He is serving as doctor in England during WWII. Without their dad at home, Christmas would not be full of surprises. Their dad loves surprises, especially at Christmas. 

Girl readers will relate to Molly's excitement over Christmas and a big snowfall and her exasperation over her older sister Jill trying to be overly mature. 

A great series for transitional girl readers

I like how in the back the author shares specific facts about Christmas in 1944.

Consideration: The older siblings mention something about Santa that may cause readers to doubt his existence. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Romance of a Christmas Card by Kate Douglas Wiggin*

 As I read through Glad and Golden Hours by Lanier Ivester a few months ago, I jotted down Christmas book recommendations. This book was one of them. When Mrs. Larabee draws and creates a poem for a Christmas card, she has no idea it would restore two young men to their home town and their loved ones. I loved this simple and sweet Christmas story.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL (my copy was published in 1916!!)