I adored the sly humor of “Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters” and the fantastic language K.G. Campbell uses. When Cousin Clara comes to stay (after a crocodile consumes her cottage), Lester’s problem begins. Cousin Clara is a curiously speedy knitter, and what she loves most to knit are dreadful sweaters which Lester is doomed to wear. Even when a sweater comes to an unexpected tragic end (like being shredded by the lawn mower), there’s always a new one to take its place. The expressions on the character’s face are fantastic, and the ending is just right. This holiday season, skip the awful sweater and give “Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters” instead!
Never have the children in our country needed the comfort of books more than now. The comfort of books in which the children are protected or safe, with happy endings and familiar characters to whom good things happen; or books in which children or animals face great danger with courage and determination; or even the same book they’ve already read, or had read to them, time and time and time again. Different children will respond to different kinds of books. But the reading of any of them means a chance for any child to sit in the safety and warmth of a parent’s lap, or a teacher’s circle, or the familiarity of the school library or under warm covers in bed, and be reassured by a story.
NCTE President, Sarah Hayes states that “In a time where violence and social disruption do not stop at the school house door, NCTE honors the vital work of literacy educators, and all who collaborate with them, to advance learning under the most difficult circumstances.” Click HERE to review numerous articles and blog posts, all written with the intention of using books as tools of healing.
At ReaderKidZ, our hearts are heavy for the suffering of all of the families and children in Newtown. We hope that books will help restore their faith and hope in the world and the goodness of people everywhere.
All month, the ReaderkidZ have been picking our favorite books for the holidays. Funny enough, many other esteemed organizations are doing the same thing. Below are several excellent lists of the best children’s books of 2012 that we thought you might like to check out. Happy reading and happy holidays!
Childrens Books 2012 – 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Groupings include: picture books, folk and fairy tales, poetry and song, stories for younger readers, stories for older readers, nonfiction and graphic books. Alphabetical by title, with summary.
Link above is to children’s picture books (10 titles). Look for tabs for Children’s fiction (25 titles) and nonfiction (4 titles) at the top of the PW page. Includes covers and summaries. Other years’ lists available as well.
An extensive (200 plus books) annotated “List of Books for Youth for 2012.” Listed alphabetically by author: picture books; books for young readers (ages 6-8); books for middle readers (ages 9-11); and books for older readers (12 and up).
The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood and illustrator Renata Liwska is more of a good thing from the team that brought us The Quiet Book and The Loud Book. The whole idea of getting young children to even think about quiet, especially in December, makes me smile. It’s downright valiant.
In addition to reflective moments like, “Luminaria quiet,” gentle humor abounds on these pages as in, “Someone’s dad is a costume designer quiet,” or “Forgotten line (in the Christmas play) quiet.” Liwska’s warm and fuzzy illustrations enhance this, such as the hedgehog waiting for an embrace in “Mistletoe quiet.” I’d only have to quibble with the inclusion of “Christmas morning quiet.” Not at my house. And I’m grateful they didn’t include the over-obvious “Video-game quiet.”
At one of the hardest times of year to BE quiet, when kids can barely contain their enthusiasm and impulsiveness and we’re all bombarded with noise and lights and messages, Underwood’s minimalist reminders that there is something in those still moments that young and old should contemplate, is lovely. You could argue that “Christmas quiet” is such an important and under-represented message, the book should be required reading for us all.
After another Christmas of lugging toys down the chimney and facing extreme weather conditions, Santa is exhausted and not his jovial self. Thank goodness Mrs. Claus has just the solution, a vacation on Mistletoe Island. So they pack their bags and leave the elves in charge. After several tennis matches, yoga sessions and hula lessons, Santa decides to retire on the island. But after a reunion with his reindeer and newspaper reports that Christmas is in jeopardy, Santa and Mrs. Claus hightail it back to the North Pole. But is it too late? Can Santa save Christmas?
Tapping into the reality and demands of Santa’s life, Biedryzcki crafts a believable tale about what retirement might look like for the man in charge. Santa may not be lively after Christmas but Biedryzcki’s illustrations sure are! Bright, bold, and inventive. Add this book to your holiday wish list! For ages 3 and up.
NUTCRACKER translated by Ralph Manheim, with pictures by Maurice Sendak (Crown Publishers, 2012)
Written by E.T.A Hoffman in 1816, the NUTCRACKER has charmed audiences and artists of all ages for nearly two centuries. This gorgeous reissue of Sendak’s illustrated edition of Hoffman’s tale will delight readers anew with its fresh approach and intentional return to the genius and, in Sendak’s words, “weird, dark qualities that make it something of a masterpiece.”
Enjoy sharing this classic tale throughout the month of December, savoring a chapter or two each night. View Crown Publisher’s press release for NutcrackerHERE.
As far as I’m concerned, there is no better gift at any season of the year than the gift of poetry. Even better is this new collection of “poems and songs to celebrate the year” organized by month and season with an additional section for special occasions such as birthdays and new babies.
December includes such poems as “Light the Festive Candles” by Aileen Fisher, “Latke Time” by Michele Krueger, “For Christmas” by Rachel Field and “A Christmas Carol” by Christina Rossetti.
With stunning watercolor illustrations by two-time Caldecott honoree, Marjorie Priceman, this is an anthology parents, teachers, and librarians will want to share with a child and revisit throughout the year.
Mission Statement
To provide teachers, librarians, and parents with the resources and inspiration to foster a love of reading in kids, K-5.
