Secret Santa and the Twelve days of Christmas Giving
Author: Courtney Petruzzelli
Illustrator: Melissa B. Snyder
“It isn’t about all the gits you receive,
It’s what you can GIVE, that’s what people believe,
The joy and the hope you will spread this season
Is what Christmas is for, the real, true reason.”
As aptly and wonderfully put, the compelling and enduring message of this classis is giving and sharing during the Christmas season. In this story, Santa invites an elite group of truly kind and compassionate kids to become a part of his ‘Secret Santa Team’ and help spread cheer to those in need. It encourages families to talk to their children about giving and experience the joy that comes along with it.
Children will love the exciting new adventures on every page. The poetic text and hand-painted, yesteryear illustrations transport you into a magical atmosphere. The key takeaway is compassion and generosity of spirit, for the festive period and beyond. Grab this gem and keep it in your treasure of precious reads for Christmas.
Elfie the Elf
Author: Cheryl DeVleeschouwer
Illustrator: Christian J Gaitan
Granny has an unforgettable bedtime story to tell her grand kids. A little lonely girl happens to meet an elf and they strike a friendship. They learn to support each other and help them follow their dreams. Set against the serene and snowy arctic backdrop, the story ticks all things Christmassy – elves, reindeers and St. Nicolas himself!
Read this intimate story for lessons in friendship and little acts ok kindness. The illustrations are warm and bright and lend themselves to emotive storytelling.
The Magic of Friendship Snow
Author and Illustrator: Andy Cann
The book explores the concept of friendship, as complex as it can be, from the eyes of young Jojo. With every one seeming to have friends around her, she feels sad and lonely. Finding a friend, making a friend and being a friend doesn’t come naturally to her. But only before she meets Puddles, the snowman made from magic snow! Eventually, she learns to be a friend.
A perfect book for young kids who struggle with loneliness and friendship, reassuring them that it can be learned and good friends will be found.
As the book says, “The discovery of a best friend is a precious gift of childhood.”
Stick Man
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
A classic favourite with kids and parents alike, if you haven’t already got your hands on this gem from Julia Donaldson’s pen, then do grab this fantastically narrated and curiously illustrated book. It is the story you can read night after night and still love the flavour.
“Stick Man lives in the family tree, With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three.”
As he sets out for a morning jog one day, he gets hurtled through various misadventures that take him farther and farther from his family. Battered by his circumstances and hostile weather, he is still hopeful, kind and longing to meet his dear ones. Will he be back home by Christmas, where his family patiently await him with gifts underneath the X-mas tree? It is a heart-warming story of patience, perseverance and togetherness that will keep you hooked till the end.
Too Many Toys
Author and Illustrator: Heidi Deedman
Welcome to the world of an envious and insurmountable number of your child’s favourite friends – toys! This is a story of a girl, Lulu, who has a very special favourite teddy, Jupiter. As she grows, so does her collection of toys, until they are everywhere. However, she still loves fluffy Jupiter the best. Her shelves, toy box and even her breakfast and bedtimes have become messy and chaotic. Sensible Lulu plans ‘The Great Toy Giveaway’ for her friends one day and watches them go one by one. Until, of course, she is left with her treasured teddy.
“Jupiter, you are all I need.”
The text is well supported by its depictive illustrations, which visually spell out the narrative. Read this epitome of every child’s dream to yours and see them wonder at the idea of a house full of toys. It may be an opportunity to discuss giving away our extras, but of-course, only once the book is finished!
We are Family
Author: Patricia Hegarty
Illustrator: Ryan Wheatcroft
“Wherever we are, whatever the weather, families always stick together.”
Christmas is the time of coming together and celebrating with your family members, no matter how different they may be. Welcome to this warm book to see 10 diverse families living this lesson.
This is a lovely story celebrating the differences and looking for similarities between 10 families as they go on in their daily lives. The families represent the modern world coming from assorted backgrounds – big, small, ethnically diverse, transracially adoptive, disability, same sex, single parent etc. What resonates is how they go about living their lives ‘normally’ as they eat, play, work and holiday together. How they comfort each other and cope together in difficult times echoes with the reader.
This book is a visual treat with its vivid artwork lending continuity to the lives of the families page after page. Grab this book for its practical, modern and embracing attitude towards people and life.
As it rightly says, “…the love we feel’s the same.”
Giraffes can’t dance
Author: Giles Andreae
Illustrator: Guy Parker – Rees
This top-seller is the subtle, joyous and effective lesson in confidence, body positivity and self-esteem. It is the tale of a tall giraffe, Gerald, who has crooked knees and thin legs. He thinks he is terrible at dancing and creeps off, heartbroken, from the dance floor after he is ridiculed for his moves at the ‘Jungle Dance’ by the other animals, who present splendid and elegant dances.
But the events take a twist when he is inspired by an unlikely friend– “But sometimes when you’re different, You just need a different song.”
Eventually, he comes back with a scintillating performance that humbles his critics. He declares,“We all can dance, When we find music that we love.”
I have read this with my sons, five and three, who have loved this book for their own reasons. With rhyming text and, vivid and bold illustrations, it tiptoes its way into the journey of Gerald from shy to brave. Read it with your kids to talk about friendship, self-worth, uniqueness and overcoming peer-pressure.
A true heart-warming and soul-uplifting book for Christmas!
