All for the Newborn Baby

Now that Thanksgiving is past, and the holidays are here, lets look for holiday stories. This is the first.
In the cold dark stable, Mary sings a lullaby to her newborn baby. She sings about the oxen and sheep who share the stable and keep the cold away. She sings about little fish splashing in the river, roses blooming in the snow, and the sun and moon sharing the sky together. Drawn from Christmas miracle tales from around the world, this cradle song by Phyllis Root, beautifully illustrated by Nicola Bayley is a lullaby for any newborn child.

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes

It is the last night of Hanukkah and Rachel's family is suddenly going to have more relatives than they can feed. Rachel is sent to her neighbor's house to borrow pototatoes and eggs, but she can't persuade Mrs. Greenberg to join the party, until she comes back to borrow chairs. Written by Linda Glaser, illustrated by Nancy Cote, this is a multicultural story to share in the holiday season.

I Know An Old Teacher

In a take-off of the popular cumulative story, "I Know an Old Lady...", here we have an old teacher who accidently swallowed a flea, and then an assortment of classroom pets to gobble up that flea. Written by Anne Bowen with colorful and zany illustrations by Stephen Gammell, it will have some readers begging for more, and others a little green around the gills. Fun for all ages.

Invisible

Seventeen year old Doug Hanson is a nerd (he admits it), is the subject of bullying by other boys, and the girls just think he is weird. Doug is obsessed with his hobby, a model railroad in his basement. His one best friend, Andy, is a star on the football team. As the story develops, Doug tries to conceal an event that he and Andy were part of a few years ago. Eventually, the truth is revealed, and Doug's life is forever changed. This book gives readers a look inside the mind of a troubled teen; one with a troubling past, no friends in the present, and an obsession with fire and pyrotechnics. Written by Pete Hautman, it was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2006, and was also selected for Best Books for Young Adults that year.

Carrying

Everyone, even children, carry things from time to time. Perhaps it's a toy, or a backpack, or a baby brother or sister. This early concept book, written by Gwenyth Swain, will take readers around the world as they explore how other children and adults carry things. Endnotes identify where each photo was taken, and the book can be used with young children or early readers.

If Pigs Could Fly--And Other Deep Thoughts

Classroom-tested from Minnesota to Florida and Oregon, here is another collection of funny poems by Bruce Lansky. A slightly larger collection, this one has theme sections for siblings, parents, animals, school, bedtime, imagination, and life lessons. If the poems don't make you giggle, the illustrations by Stephen Carpenter will.

I Wonder as I Wander

With a setting in the Great Depression, this is a picture book biography of Annie Morgan, a young girl in the mountains of Appalachia. Her mother died suddenly, and now Annie and her itinerent preacher father travel the country, stopping in small towns to preach a little gospel, and raise enough money for gas, food, and to give away to other poor people.
On the town square of Murphy, North Carolina, where the sheriff is encouraging them to move along, Annie steps forward to sing a haunting new song. John Jacob Niles, a balladeer and composer, is in the crowd, and he asks Annie to repeat the song until he has all the words recorded.
Words and music to the song are included, and an author's note by Gwenyth Swain further explains the basis of this story. The watercolor illustrations by Ronald Himler are just about perfect to convey the atmosphere and historical setting of the story. If you read this during the holiday season, it will add new meaning to this well-known hymn.

Blumpoe the Grumpoe Meets Arnold the Cat

Since I've answered two reference questions about this book in recent weeks, I just have to include it (although it has to be part of the "oldie-but-goodie" group).
This is the story of a grumpy old man named Horace P. Blumpoe. Because he is such a grump, everyone calls him Blumpoe the Grumpoe. Simply put, he's just an old grouch!
One day he decides to visit his sister Edith in St. Cloud, but his car breaks down in Wabasha. Since his car won't be fixed until the next day, the mechanic recommends he stay at the Anderson House Hotel. This hotel is famous because it has a group of resident cats that guests can 'adopt' for the night. At first, Blumpoe firmly expresses his disinterest in this idea; but a shy but persistent cat named Arnold changes his mind. The wonderful illustrations of their battle-of-wills are spot-on and will have readers giggling to the end.
Written by Jean Davies Okimoto with illustrations by Howie Schneider (neither from Minnesota); this belongs in every elementary library in the state. It is still available on Amazon, so get it if you don't already own it. It's a treasure!
By the way, the Anderson House is a real place. Visit their website (www.historicandersonhouse.com) for more information and pictures of the cats, including Arnold.

Reading With Dad

A picture book for all ages, this story demonstrates the power and joy of reading together as parent and child. It begins by illustrating the importance of fathers reading with their child, and continues through the life cycle until the child reads with the parent in old age. With a gentle rhyming text by Richard Jorgensen, and pencil/pastel illustrations by Warren Hanson, it is also a wonderful 'thank you' gift to give your dad who read to you as a child. (I saw myself in this story - many of my favorite childhood memories were of my dad reading a bedtime story.)

Mom Pie

Mommy is so busy preparing a big meal for company (may be Thanksgiving) that she doesn't have time to give to her young sons Christopher and Robbie. They create their own dish, "Mom Pie", and are able to have Mommy in their own special way. If you've never had it, "Mom Pie" includes these ingredients: gloves, slippers, earrings, perfume, and her favorite color (which is found in an unusual place). Written by Lynne Jonell, illustrated by Petra Mathers, this is a good story to share with young children at holidays.

The Remarkable and Very True Story of Lucy and Snowcap

Set on a cluster of fictional islands in the North Atlantic in 1787, this is the story of Lucy, a native girl, and Snowcap, a British child whose father was elected Governor when the British gained control of the islands. It's a clever adventure story with two heroines who, although they are very different, must work together to save themselves, their people, and Lucy's baby brother from possible death. Readers will be drawn into the story complete with murder plots, chases, kidnapping, narrow escapes, romance, and a little magic. At the heart of the story is the mysterious power of storytelling, and how important it is to the survival of all the characters in the story. A first novel by Heather Bouwman from St. Paul, here is an author to watch in the future. The book would be a great read-aloud for upper elementary grades.

When Mommy Was Mad

Mommy is having a bad day. She burned the toast and forgot to kiss Daddy goodbye. Robbie doesn't understand what's wrong. He draws and colors a picture of a borkupin (porcupine) and shows it to Mommy. That doesn't help her mood either. Finally, he actually becomes a porkupin, and he is able to show Mommy how he feels, and everyone is happy again. Written by Lynne Jonell, with appropriate child-like illustrations, this is a good story for parents to share with young children, and can be the basis for a discussion of moods and emotions.

Think Big

Vinney, a small green frog is unhappy because he is the smallest student in his class. He's too short to see above the lunch counter, too small to play defense at recess, and is given the smallest part in the class play (a ladybug!). When his mother suggests that he "think big" , his self esteem soars, but he also realizes that being small has some advantages. Bright colorful illustrations add to this story by Nancy Carlson.

Riot

Bryan Grant lives in the small town of Blue Ash, Minnesota. His dad has been employed by the local paper mill and his mom is a teacher. Trouble is brewing as the paper mill has hired nonunion employees to construct a new mill. Bryan's father is a leader of the union members and outsiders who commit vandalism, and finally riot to protect their interests. Bryan secretly videotaped the riot, and now has incriminating evidence against his father. What should he do? Based on actual events at International Falls in 1989, and written by Mary Casanova, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1997. It could be used as a discussion starter in social studies classes.

Let's Play Rough

Dad may think he's about to spend some quiet time on the couch, but is quickly pounced on by his young son. "Let's play rough," he says. Soon Dad joins in as a big monster bear who tosses, tickles, and tumbles his son (all in fun, of course). Written by Lynne Jonell, with acrylic and grease pencil illustrations by Ted Rand, this is another fun story for families to share.

Grandpa Has a Great Big Face

Grandpa's face is very big, and so are his ears, hands, feet, and tummy; but the best and biggest part is his heart. A heartwarming story about the love between a grandfather and grandson told by Warren Hanson, with equally warm illustrations by Mark Elliott, this is a fun story for families to share.

Red Rubber Boot Day

What is there to do on a rainy day?--the question every kid asks once in a while. In this easy picture book, readers will see the rainy day through the eyes of a young boy who fills part of his day with drawing, reading, playing with blocks, and playing 'cave' in his closet; but finally, he just has to run outside in the rain and splash in puddles in his red rubber boots. Written by Mary Lyn Ray with exuberent acrylic illustrations by Lauren Stringer, this is a wonderful book to share on a rainy day.

Bravemole

The hero of this fable is an ordinary mole. He has an ordinary job, digging, tunneling, and moving earth from here to there. He also has a loving molewife and molebaby at home. Then one day dragons attacked the tallest molehill in the forest. Hundreds of moles ran away in terror, and Mole wanted to run away too, but then he realized he could help save other moles from the disaster. Written and illustrated by Lynne Jonell, and inspired by the events of 9-11, this is a story of courage, and could be used as a discussion starter about courage and bravery.

My Day With Anka

Anka is an immigrant from Czechoslovakia, who does housework once a week for Karrie's family. In this story, readers will learn about a typical day that Karrie and Anka spend together; from making warm kalaches for breakfast, to window washing, vacuuming, and other household activities. A first book by Minnesotan Nan Ferring Nelson, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth, this is a warm story with a multicultural touch and could be used for a unit introducing children to different cultures.

We're Rabbits

Can three hungry rabbits eat an entire garden of tasty vegetables and not get caught? You're just going to have to read this "hare" raising tale of an encounter between the gardener and these three rabbits to find out. Written by Lisa Westberg Peters, with colorful acrylic illustrations by Jeff Mack, this could go along with a reading of Peter Rabbit, or a spring unit on gardens.

Smiling

What makes you smile?, a sunny day?, playing with a pet?, other activities? This simple concept book will take readers around the world to find out what makes people smile. The light rhyming text by Gwenyth Swain and endnotes to identify where each picture was taken make this a complete package to use with young children or early readers.