Usher in the new year with books. There’s still time for these holiday favorites and a few new stories to help finish 2020 in style.
My First Kwanzaa (My First Holiday) by Karen Katz - Celebrate the importance of family, friends, and community during the seven days of Kwanzaa. For ages 2-5
The Snowman’s Song by Marilee Joy Mayfield – A little snowman wishes for a voice, so he can sing Christmas carols like the children who made him. After a little girl shows him kindness, and he receives the gift of hope from a cardinal, the snowman finds his voice. For ages 2-10
The Berenstain Bears' Night Before Christmas by Mike Berenstain - Mama Bear wants to be sure the cubs understand there is more to Christmas than parades and TV specials, so she shares Clement Clark Moore’s classic Christmas tale, The Night Before Christmas with her own special spin. For ages 4-8
Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel - Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village. On the first night of Hanukkah, the delicious smells from her kitchen wake a hungry bear from his hibernation. Bubba Brayna, who doesn’t see or hear very well, mistakes him for her rabbi. She welcomes the bear inside to play the dreidel game, light the menorah, and enjoy a scrumptious meal. After her well-fed guest leaves, the rabbi, and Brayna's other friends, arrive for dinner, but there are no latkes left. Together, they finally figure out who really ate them. For ages 4-8
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel - On the first night of Hanukkah, a weary traveler named Hershel of Ostropol arrives in a village, expecting to find plenty of latkes and merriment to warm him, but not a single candle is lit. A band of frightful goblins has taken over the synagogue, and the villagers can’t celebrate Hanukkah. Using his wits, Hershel faces down the goblins. Can one man save Hanukkah? For ages 4-8
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis - Seven brothers in an African village make family life miserable with their constant fighting. After their father’s death, they must honor the terms of his will. By sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread. If they fail, they will be turned out as beggars. Using the Nguzo Saba, or "seven principles" of Kwanzaa, the author shows how family members can pull together, for their own good and the good of the entire community. For ages 4-8
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal – Kids will enjoy this book of wishes for curiosity, wonder, friendship, strength, laughter, and peace. For ages 5-8
Rosco the Rascal and the Holiday Lights: An Illustrated Chapter Adventure for Kids by Shana Gorian – In the fifth installment of the Roscoe the Rascal series, James’ and Mandy's neighborhood has won first place in the holiday lights Best Block contest. Will Rosco’s attempts to help mess up Opening Night and will Mandy’s insistence on doing everything herself be her downfall at the school train parade? For ages 6-10
A Street Through Time: A 12,000 Year Journey Along the Same Street by Steve Noon – This illustrated history book for children takes them on a 12,000-year journey through the story of one street. For ages 7-9
Untold Christmas Stories: 12 tales from 12 different genres (Short Stories Anthology Collection) By J.M. Bernaldez, Tina Marie, Leigh Hull, and 7 more authors - New stories for the holidays from a collection of new authors. For ages 12 and up