In honor of short story day (December 21) we have some short story collections kids will enjoy. Since December 21 is also the first day of winter, we also have books about winter and the holidays. With the colder temperatures on their way it’s always nice to have an interesting selection of books ready for a rainy or snowy day. Remember books make wonderful gifts and December is a great time to go through your book collections and donate any books your kids have outgrown to local family shelters.
The Little Book of Giving: Holiday Edition by Zack Bush and Laurie Friedman – This book can help you and your children change their ideas about gift giving. Not all gifts come from stores and get wrapped in fancy packages. Handmade gifts and gifts from the heart of our time and talents can be far more meaningful. For ages Baby -12
I Spy Hanukkah Book for Kids by Hanukkah Publishing and Jewish Learning Press – Kids of all ages will enjoy solving the puzzles and finding hidden objects while learning about Hanukkah. For ages Baby -11
The Snowman’s Story: A Christmas Tale by Marilee Joy Mayfield – On a snowy hill, a lonely snowman wishes for the gift of song. A little girl passing by notices he looks sad and gives him the gift he has longed for in this story about giving and gratitude. For ages 2-10.
Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter by Eugenie Doyle – This book connects each season with the winter season on the farm and explains how farm families prepare for winter after spending the year planting, growing, and harvesting crops. For ages 3-5
Five Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables by Cottage Door Press – Your kids can enjoy classics like Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Rapunzel in these fast and easy stories. For ages 3-6
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis – The author uses the seven principles of Kwanzaa, Nguzo Saba, in a tale about seven constantly bickering brothers who must pull together as a family after the death of their father or be cast out as beggars. For ages 4-8
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Jon Nelson, PhD. – Kids will learn how and why ice crystals form to make snowflakes. Kids will have fun following the easy directions for catching and viewing ice crystals. For ages 5-8
What do You Celebrate? Holidays Around the World by Whitney Stewart – Kids will travel the globe and celebrate a year of holidays around the world. It’s a wonderful way to learn about new holidays and customs while recognizing the similar ways we celebrate around the world. For ages 5-9
Cooking Around the Calendar with Kids by Ms. Amy Houts – Kids will enjoy learning to prepare snacks and meals for different seasons and holidays throughout the year. For ages 5-12
A Year Full of Stories: 52 Folktales and Legends from Around the World by Angela McAllister – This book is divided into twelve chapters and the stories collected from around the world by the author have been retold and arranged to match a month of the year. For ages 6-9
The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice Wendy Pfeffer – Kids will learn the science, history, and cultural significance of celebrating the shortest day of the year. For ages 6-9
Winter Holidays Around the World by Heather Aliano – From this workbook, kids will learn how various holidays are celebrated around the world. Is Christmas celebrated differently in Australia because December is one of their summer months? What is St. Lucia Day in Sweden? Diwali in India? Solstice in the UK? Is Hanukkah celebrated differently in Israel? Why do African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa? for ages 6 -12
Super Puzzletastic Mysteries: Short Stories for Young Sleuths from Mystery Writers of America by Chris Grabenstein, Stuart Gibbs, Lamar Giles, Peter Lerangis, Kate Magaziner, and Kate Milford – Twenty mystery stories your young sleuth has the chance to solve before the author reveals the culprit. For ages 8-12.
National Geographic Kids: 125 True Stories of Amazing Animals by National Kids – Unusual stories about exceptional animals full of fun and interesting facts. For ages 8-12.
The Children’s Jewish Holiday Kitchen by Joan Nathan – Over 70 delicious kid-friendly recipes from around the world to help you and your kids get into the holiday spirit for celebrating Jewish holidays. For ages 8-12
Weird but True Christmas by National Kids – Kids will enjoy learning these obscure facts about Christmas and how it is celebrated. Do you know which Christmas carol was the first Christmas song to be sung in space? For ages 8-12