Booklists: December

It's holiday time -- and at first, Elephant is delighted to get a gift. But as the twelve days of Christmas continue, presents pile precariously higher and higher! A partridge in a pear tree? Cute! But soon, Elephant's dad despairs. Two turtle doves? THREE French hens?! And just what are they supposed to do with ten lords a-leaping? Kids will love each silly spread in this raucous take on the classic carol that is perfect for reading aloud around the fireplace.

Wishing for the partner of a lovely warm boot she discovers in the forest, a poor woman is delighted when her wish, as well as other hopes for comfort, begin coming true before a red-suited, one-booted new friend arrives at her door.

There are many more Jan Brett books that are perfect for winter reading!

With dazzling photographs and lively, lyrical text, this book introduces young readers to historical and cultural aspects of the Christmas holiday. Kids will get diverse and unique viewpoints about this very special day. With fascinating facts, a recipe, and Common Core-alignment activities, reading and learning about Christmas adds to the excitement in preparing for it.

Explore Christmas traditions from 13 different countries! Rhyming text and detailed illustrations make the book accessible to younger readers, while educational endnotes about the 13 celebrations add interest for older children. Gold ink and festive illustrations capture the joy of the season and make this book a beautiful gift in itself. Engaging and informative for anyone who wants to learn about the holiday. Features Christmas traditions from: Ethiopia Colombia Australia Italy Serbia Mexico India Iceland Egypt Argentina Philippines Lebanon Canada

A heart-tugging story combining the cheer of Christmas, the magic of New York City, and the real meaning of the holiday season: how important it is to be surrounded by love.

While kids write notes to Santa Claus, / Sharks line up for Santa Jaws. / They tell him all their Christmas wishes. / Santa thinks they sound delicious! With bouncy, delightful rhymes, Bridget Heos' Santa Jaws celebrates Christmas under the sea. Every year, Santa Jaws delivers presents to his fellow sharks, spreading cheer wherever he goes. Elfin sharks make toys, horn sharks trim the Christmas kelp, and cookiecutter sharks make sure Santa doesn't go hungry. Get ready for a ride on Santa's sled (pulled, of course, by hammerheads) in this joyful holiday tale!

Shooting at the Stars is the moving story of a young British soldier on the front lines during World War I who experiences an unforgettable Christmas Eve. In a letter home to his mother, he describes how, despite fierce fighting earlier from both sides, Allied and German soldiers ceased firing and came together on the battlefield to celebrate the holiday. They sang carols, exchanged gifts, and even lit Christmas trees. But as the holiday came to a close, they returned to their separate trenches to await orders for the war to begin again.

A World of Cookies for Santatakes readers across the globe to see all the treats that await Santa on Christmas Eve.

Bubba Brayna's legendary latkes lure an unexpected visitor into her home in this playful Hanukkah tale from a master storyteller.

A traveler rids a village synagogue of goblins by outwitting them. A Caldecott Honor Book.

With dazzling images and engaging text, readers learn about the historical and cultural significance of Hanukkah and why it is celebrated around the world. From the lighting of the menorah to the special foods that are shared to the spinning of the dreidels, they'll get insights about this holiday's traditions and the Jewish faith. This book also offers fascinating facts, a recipe, and a Common Core-aligned activities. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

A fun new spin on the classic fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood featuring Jewish tradition and food. It was a chilly winter in the northern woods, but Ruthie did not mind. Dressed in her favorite puffy red coat, she was going to spend Hanukkah with her grandmother, who lived on the other side of the forest. Ruthie was bringing sour cream and applesauce to go along with the yummy latkes. She carefully packed her basket and kissed her mother good-bye. Snow began to fall. Soon Ruthie was lost in a thicket, and she was not alone. Someone was hiding behind the tree, and when he jumped out, Ruthie found herself face to face with a wolf. Ruthie will have to convince the wolf that eating latkes will be tastier than eating her!

Imagine James Marshall's The Stupids celebrating Hanukkah, and you'd get the Latke family! Lucy Latke's family is just like yours or mine. Except that they're potato pancakes. And also, they are completely clueless.

With succinct, lively text and beautiful photographs, this book celebrates African-American culture and helps us to understand and appreciate this special holiday. Over the course of seven days, families and friends come together to light the candles that symbolize past and future-and African-American unity. We gather as a community to make music and to dance; to feast on harvest foods and the good things of the earth; and to exchange simple, often homemade gifts. Readers are introduced to the symbols of the holiday, such as the mkeka (a special placemat), kinara (candleholder), and kikombe cha umoja (unity cup). Important concepts, like the seven principles, are explained.

Kevin's family is celebrating the seven days of Kwanzaa! Kevin helps his mom decorate the Kwanzaa table. They light candles with Grandma and Grandpa and learn a special word each day. They talk about working together and solving problems. On the sixth day, everyone eats and dances at a big feast!

This book describes the origins and practices of Kwanzaa, the seven-day festival during which people of African descent rejoice in their ancestral values. The Swahili word means "first fruits of the harvest", and for each day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit from December 26 to January 1.

IN AN AFRICAN VILLAGE live seven brothers who make family life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of colored thread. If they fail, they will be left with no inheritance and turned out as beggars.Using the Nguzo Saba, or "seven principles", of Kwanzaa, Angela Shelf Medearis has written an unforgettable story that demonstrates how family members can pull together, for their own good and the good of the entire community.