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 A CHRISTMAS LIKE HELEN'S
Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
illustrated by Mary Azarian
Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 0618231374
Ages 4-8
32 pages
There are no telephones or electric lights at Helen's home. Since cars haven't been invented yet, she and her sister and brothers must walk a mile to school everyday, no matter what the weather is like. But at night, Helen and her family gather around the woodstove to hear stories of castles and princes in hiding. They take horse-drawn sleigh rides, skate in the moonlight, and on Christmas morning have real maple syrup for breakfast.
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 A CONFUSED HANUKKAH: An Original Story of Chelm
Jon Koons
illustrated by S. D. Schindler
Dutton Children's Books
ISBN: 0525469699
Ages 5-up
40 pages
Hanukkah is fast approaching in the village of Chelm, but the Rabbi is away. Unfortunately, none of the villagers remember how Hanukkah is supposed to be celebrated. So they send Yossel, a simple young man, to the neighboring village to learn what he can. Yossel makes a wrong turn, but he does find some people celebrating a holiday. But is it the right holiday?
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 FEDERICO AND THE MAGI'S GIFT: A Latin American Christmas Story
Beatriz Vidal
Knopf
ISBN: 0375825185
Ages 5-8
40 pages
On the eve of the Epiphany, or the Feast of the Three Kings, the Three Wise Men (also known as the Magi) will ride through the night sky and deliver gifts to children. Four-year-old Federico has misbehaved and is afraid that the Magi won't bring him any presents. Will the Magi really come? And will Federico get what he is hoping for?
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 GUESS WHO'S COMING TO SANTA'S FOR DINNER?
Tomie dePaola
G.P. Putnam's Sons
ISBN: 0399242716
Ages 4-8
48 pages
This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus are having their entire family over for Christmas dinner. The loveable bunch includes Uncle Alfred, an inventor from Bermuda; Sister Olga, an opera singer; eight young children; and even a polar bear named Oscar. You can probably guess by now that this particular group does not enjoy a “silent night” --- from a snowball fight to the Christmas pageant to the meal itself, it's a wild affair.
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 HANUKKAH LIGHTS: Holiday Poetry
selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins
illustrated by Melanie Hall
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060080515
Ages 4-8
32 pages
From spinning dreidels to lighting the menorah to warm family gatherings, the traditions and spirit of the Festival of Lights are captured in these joyful Hanukkah poems.
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 HENRY THE CHRISTMAS CAT
Mary Calhoun
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0688165605
Ages 4-8
32 pages
Henry, the spunky and loveable Siamese cat, is determined to be in the same Christmas pageant that his owner is taking part in --- even though there were no cats in the manger. Henry soon learns that he must play a shepherd offstage in order to rescue a runaway lamb and save the pageant.
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 HOW MANY MILES TO BETHLEHEM?
Kevin Crossley-Holland
illustrated by Peter Malone
Scholastic
ISBN: 0439676428
Ages 4-8
32 pages
All the beloved figures of the nativity story --- including Mary, the baby Jesus, the lively donkey, the dignified wise men, and the glorious angels --- are given new life by acclaimed poet and novelist Kevin Crossley-Holland, who links their tales into a chain of voices that reveals the miracle and meaning of Christmas.
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 IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE KWANZAA!
Jump at the Sun Holiday Classics
illustrated by Rex Perry
Jump at the Sun/Hyperion
ISBN: 0786809248
Ages 3-7
24 pages
Illustrated with bright, vivid colors that capture the spirit of the season, this fun-to-read book details the activities of an African American extended family as they celebrate Kwanzza.
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 LITTLE RED'S CHRISTMAS STORY
Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York
illustrated by Sam Williams
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0689855613
Ages 3-6
40 pages
On Christmas Eve Little Red, Little Blue, Roany the pony, and Gino the dog set off on their trip to Christmas Tree Wood, where their favorite fir tree grows. But when they arrive, they learn that Little Red's friend, Santa Claus, has a big problem: a sick reindeer and all of his presents to deliver. Can Little Red and her friends help Santa save Christmas?
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 MRS. GREENBERG'S MESSY HANUKKAH
Linda Glaser
illustrated by Nancy Cote
Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN: 0807552976
Ages 6-8
32 pages
Although it's the first night of Hanukkah, Rachel's family won't really be celebrating until next week. But Rachel wants to participate in the festivities now, so she decides to visit her neighbor and make latkes together. The two begin grating the potatoes in Mrs. Greenberg's shiny, neatly organized kitchen. But Rachel's clumsiness results in a huge mess, and she's afraid that her friendship with Mrs. Greenberg has ended.
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 THE PETERKINS' CHRISTMAS
adapted by Elizabeth Spurr
illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin
Atheneum
ISBN: 0689830238
Ages 7-10
32 pages
Meet the Peterkins. There's Mr. and Mrs. Peterkin, Agamemnon, Solomon John, Elizabeth Eliza, and the three Little Boys (who everyone forgot to name when they were born). This year the Peterkins try to surprise the Little Boys with their tallest Christmas tree ever. But soon they realize that their special tree is too big to fit in the house! How will they save Christmas?
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 SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN
J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie
illustrated by Steven Kellogg
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0688149383
Ages 4-8
40 pages
A small bear visits Santa's workshop and finds wonderful, shining toys. As the big night draws near, there's an amazing parade, with “elephants, boats, and kiddie cars, too.” After Santa checks his list, a spectacular foldout reveals elves loading presents into his huge sleigh. Experience the joy and magic of Christmas from Steven Kellogg's colorful and illuminating perspective.
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 SANTAKID
James Patterson
illustrated by Michael Garland
Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 0316000612
Ages 3-6
48 pages
Chrissie is one of the luckiest kids in the world, because her father is none other than Santa Claus! As a resident of the North Pole, Chrissie visits Santa's Toy Workshop everyday and plays with Santa's friends, including his elves and reindeer. But one morning, the Big Boss of the Exmass Express Company arrives at the North Pole and proclaims that he has bought Christmas! Almost immediately, everything at the North Pole changes --- the doves won't fly or sing anymore, the elves stop making toys, and worst of all, Santa loses his holiday spirit. In order to save Christmas, Chrissie must remember her father's own magical words.
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 SANTA'S KWANZAA
Garen Eileen Thomas
illustrated by Guy Francis
Jump at the Sun/Hyperion
ISBN: 078685166X
Ages 4-8
32 pages
After the last present is left under the last Christmas tree, Santa returns to the North Pole for the surprise of a lifetime. From December 26th through January 1st, Santa and his family delight in the Kwanzaa tradition. But as the last day approaches, Santa wants to do something extra special to show his love for humanity. What more can he give?
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 A SMALL CHRISTMAS
Wong Herbert Lee
Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 061832612X
Ages 4-8
32 pages
It's Christmas Eve, and Fireman Small has had a busy day, helping Mayor Mole find a Christmas tree and decorate it. When he arrives back at Firehouse Nine, he's looking forward to a good night's sleep. But after hearing a crash and a muffled ho-ho-ho, Fireman Small discovers he has a huge problem on his hands.
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 SUPERHERO CHRISTMAS
Stan Lee
illustrated by Tim Jessell
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060565594
Ages 4-7
32 pages
On the night before Christmas, Santa's old nemesis, the evil Ice King, launches a surprise attack on the North Pole and captures Santa. The powerful Protector, along with his wife and two children, must save Christmas.
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--- Compiled and written by Marisa Emralino
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