Books deserving of Special Mention
The well-known song is available for the first time as a picture book and a twelve-track CD,
with illustrations by Caldecott artist David Diaz that feature peace symbols from many cultures:
Women in White from Cuba, the Crane from Japan, Mistletoe from Scandinavia, the Loon from the Pacific Northwest,
the Turtle from the South Pacific, and
There are stories about the twelve symbols in the back of the book along with words and music for the song
After 9 hrs worth of listening on CD,
you’ll know the origin of every Christmas custom ever celebrated.
A story by Toni Buzzeo inspired by the Flying Santa Service,
which has been dropping holiday gift packages to Coast Guard families since 1929
This bookcover sums up most kids’ mood during the Christmas season
A twist on the three wise men, this tale of adventure for 8 yr-olds~
by Harold Konstantelos and Terri Jenkins-brady
takes the listener to lands of Roman camps and soldiers,
to the wild open seas of a captain’s ship,
and across dangerous deserts of sand and wind
MORE CHRISTMAS BOOKS FOR KIDS :
See Amazon.com’s holiday selections for kids here.
It includes the “The Nutcracker” by Janet Schulman*** and “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg(Illustrator)***
“A Certain Small Shepherd” by Rebecca Caudill
“A Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats***
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Gian-Cash Menotti, Roger Duvoisin
“An Old-Fashioned Christmas” by Paul Engle
“Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson, Judith Gwyn Brown (Ill.)*
“Christmas In The Manger” by Nola Buck (Ill Felicia Bond) A Pat-and Peek Book *(baby-toddler)
“Christmas Is a Birthday” by Aline Cunningham
“Christmas Is A Time of Giving” by Joan Walsh Anglund *
“Christmas Is Love” by Joan Walsh Anglund *
“Christmas Star” by Marcus Pfister (for babies and toddlers)
“Christmas Traditions & Legends : Traditions and Legends” by Doris C. Baines, Richard Ferguson (Ill)*
“Christmas Stories” by Charles Dickens
“Eloise at Christmastime” by Kay Thompson Hilary Knight (Ill.)
“Garlands for Christmas” by Chad Walsh
“Gingerbread Baby” by Jan Brett(Illustrator)***
“How Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr Suess *
“Little Drummer Boy” by Ezra Jack Keats **
“Journey To Bethlehem” by Dorothy Van Woerkom
“Maurice Sendak’s Christmas Mystery/Full-Color Book of Clues and Jigsaw Puzzle” (baby-preschool)
“Mr Willowby’s Christmas Tree” by Robert Barry **
“Nine Days to Christmas” by Marie Hall Ets, Aurora Labastida
“Silent Night” by Armand Eisen, Mary Engelbreit (exquisite pop-out art)*
“Small Rain” by Jessie Orton Jones (ill. Elizabeth Orton Jones)
“Something for Christmas” by Palmer Brown
“Take Joy” by Tasha Tudor *
“The Bird’s Christmas Carol” by Kate Douglas Wiggin**
“The Christmas Cookie Tree” by Ruth Hershey Irwin
“The First Christmas” by Robbie Trent, ill. Marc Simont * (baby-toddler)
“The Gift of the Magi” by O’ Henry **(older children-teens)
“The Hat” by Jan Brett(Illustrator)**
“The Legend of the Poinsettia” by Tomie De Paola (Ill.)**
“The Lion In A Box” by Marguerite De Angeli *
“The Night Before Christmas” : Poem by Clement Clarke Moore, Jan Brett (Ill.)***
“The Night Before Christmas” by Clement C Moore (Ill. James Rice/Tasha Tudor/Arthur Rackham/Hague)*
“The Shepherd’s Boy” by Mae Vander Boom
“The Silver Box” by Martha Rush Henry, Sue Thompson-Norman*
“The Sweet Smell of Christmas”
“The Story of Christmas” by Jane Ray **
“The Story of the Christ Child” by Leon Morris
“The 12 Days of Christmas” (My Big Beanstalk Books Series) by Jerry Harston, Jerry Hartson**
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Jan Brett(Illustrator)***
“The Way Christmas” Came by Masahiro Kasuya OOP
“The Very Special Baby” by Carol Woodward OOP
“The Wild Christmas Reindeer” by Jan Brett**
“Twas the Moon of Wintertime” by Foz Abisch
“White Snow Bright Snow” by Alvin Tresselt, ill. Roger Duvoisin **
BOOKS FOR ADULTS:
“The Christmas Mystery” by Jostein Gaarder***.
“Origami for Christmas” by Chiyo Araki, Akihiko Tokue (Photographer), Lillian Oppenheimer (Designer)
How about a Japanese-flavored Christmas… origami flowers, nativity scenes, Santa and his reindeer. Clear, easy to follow diagrams, will challenge beginners and has terrific plans for the more experienced folder.
“175 Easy-To-Do Christmas Crafts” by Sharon Dunn Umnik (Editor)
“Christmas Crafts and Entertaining: Fun Projects & Gifts plus Great Recipes”
The book contains over 80 easy-to-make ideas, a combination of recipes, decorating ideas and quick craft projects. Covers a wide range of difficulty levels-from simple stencils to more complicated projects, like quilted placemats. Contains decorating craft ideas ideas for everything from the front door to the table, such as wreaths, table linens, centerpieces and other festive accessories.
“Christmas Crafts : Merry Things to Make” by Colleen Van Blaricom (Editor), Anita Louise (Illustrator)
Easy-to-follow directions explain how to make Christmas crafts from everyday items–such as jingle bells from an egg carton, angels from tissue paper and Santa Claus’s cottage from frosting.
“Christmas Fun : Great Things to Make and Do” by Deri Robins, Maggie Downer (Illustrator),
“Just 24 Days Till Christmas” by Mylinda Butterworth
For those who hanker after an old-fashioned Christmas, A book for all ages which delivers an activity, a story and recipe for each of the 24 days before Christmas. Include everything from Day 1’s sweet-smelling home-made Christmas cards to Day 14’s rag angels and Milky Way cake. Day 12 yields a 3-D Christmas mobile, followed on Day 18 by an art project. Numerous stories such as Hidden Treasures and The Night Before Christmas throughout the days and nights leading up to Christmas.
“Old-Fashioned Christmas Favorites : A Heart-Warming Collection of Treasured Recipes, Memories, Handmade Gifts, Cozy Decorating Tips & Easy How To’s” by Jo Ann Martin, Vickie Hutchins, Sharyn Rosart
Gooseberry Patch is a name that epitomizes the festive warmth of the traditional country Christmas. The best-loved recipes, crafts, and memories of Gooseberry Patch in one full-color volume.
“Ultimate Christmas” by Jane Newdick
Amazon.com’s choice for Christmas this year. Stunning photographs of 100 classic and inventive ideas for decorations for home and hearth.
Complete recipes for 4 international meals plus appetizers, and a large selection of desserts. Covers all aspects of decorating for the big day: choosing and trimming the tree, making wreaths and garlands, designing lighting effects, adorning the mantelpiece, producing handmade wrapping and cards, and setting a spectacular table.
EDUCATION IN JAPAN COMMUNITY Blog 
[…] The Christmas Reader […]
[…] https://educationinjapan.wordpress.com/book-nook/the-christmas-reader/ […]