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I'm taking a blogging break. 

And during this time I'm going to read every diverse MG book I can get my hands on, that I haven't yet read. Because now, more than ever, We Need Diverse Books!*

Reviews when I return.


*I also donated to them today. If you're frustrated or upset about things, please consider doing something positive. Donate to a charity. Volunteer. Hug someone. Read.

Now that December is upon us, many people start to stress about gift giving. What will they like? How can I give a great gift, but not break the bank? Never fear! LEE & LOW BOOKS is here to save the holidays! 

We’ve compiled a list of LEE & LOW titles that’ll be sure to please everyone, from the science lover to the musician!

For the animal lover

1. Parrots Over Puerto Rico With striking collage illustrations, a unique format, and engaging storytelling, this book invites readers to witness the amazing recovery efforts that have enabled Puerto Rican parrots to fly over their island once again.
2. Adventures Around the World series From Caldecott Honor-winning authors Ted and Betsy Lewin, readers can visit India, Uganda, Botswana, Mongolia, Iceland, and Australia in these delightful nonfiction books.
3. Cat Girl’s Day Off In this hilarious YA novel, Nat Ng comes from a family of the super-Talented: levitation, lie-detecting, chameleon-like blending into one’s surroundings. Her own power? Talking to cats. But when a celebrity blogger is kidnapped, it’s only Nat who can see the true story.

For the world traveler

1. Water Rolls, Water Rises/El agua rueda, el agua sube Here is a poetic ode to the beauty of the natural world as expressed by the movement and moods of water in different locations across the Earth.

   

2. Poems in the Attic Master poet Nikki Grimes creates a tender intergenerational story about growing up in a military family that speaks to every child’s need to hold onto special memories of home, no matter where that place might be.
3. How Far Do You Love Me? Based on a bedtime game author/illustrator Lulu Delacre played with her young daughters, How Far Do You Love Me? is an “I love you” book with a twist.

For the musician 

1. Finding the Music/En pos de la música When Reyna accidentally breaks Abuelito’s vihuela—a small guitar-like instrument—she ventures out into the neighborhood determined to find someone who can help her repair it.
2. Little Melba and Her  Big Trombone Brimming with ebullience and the joy of making music, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone is a fitting tribute to a trailblazing musician and a great unsung hero of jazz.
3. Drummer Boy of John John Musical text and sun-drenched paintings joyously transport readers to the Caribbean, and to this exuberant story inspired by the early life of Winston “Spree” Simon, a pioneer in the development of the steel drum.

For the crafter

1. Maya’s Blanket/La manta de Maya Inspired by the traditional Yiddish folk song “Hob Ikh Mir a Mantl” (“I Had a Little Coat”), this delightful bilingual story puts a child-focused, Latino spin on the tale of an item that is made into smaller and smaller items.
2. Sunday Shopping Overflowing with whimsy and a sweet grandmother-granddaughter relationship, Sunday Shopping is a fun-filled celebration of imagination and family love.

   

3. Etched in Clay This moving, award-winning novel in verse explores the life of Dave the Potter, an enslaved young man who created beautiful pottery etched with sayings and poems that reflected his daily life and experiences. In simple, powerful words, including some of Dave’s original writings, we learn his extraordinary story of courage, creative inspiration, and triumph.

For the aspiring actor or actress

1. Ira’s Shakespeare Dream This book is a captivating tribute to the inspiring life of actor Ira Aldridge, and to the renowned works of William Shakespeare which he brought to life onstage.
2. Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story Anna May Wong—the first Chinese American movie star—was a pioneer of the cinema. Her spirited determination in the face of discrimination is an inspiration to all who must overcome obstacles so that their dreams may come true.
3. Baby Flo: Florence Mills Lights Up the Stage Baby Flo went on to become an international superstar during the Harlem Renaissance—but first she had to overcome a case of stage fright and discover that winning wasn’t everything.

For the history buff

1. Hammer of Witches This YA novel follows Baltasar Infante, a bookmaker’s apprentice

   

   living in 1492 Spain, who can weasel out of any problem with a good story. But when he finds himself on Columbus’s ship to America, he may be in trouble that even he can’t talk his way out of.

2. Seven Miles to Freedom This book is the compelling account of the daring escape of Robert Smalls, an enslaved steamboat wheelman from South Carolina who became one of the Civil War’s greatest heroes.
3. Irena’s Jars of Secrets Motivated by conscience and armed with compassion and a belief in human dignity, Irena Sendler confronted an enormous moral challenge and proved to the world that an ordinary person can accomplish deeds of extraordinary courage by helping the sick and starving Jews who were imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto.

Happy gifting!

Today, I'm hanging out over at Random Acts of Reading, where the book blogger panel is discussing gifts for the holidays. Come join us!

So many people are organized about upcoming gift giving ideas!

Abby (the) Librarian's Twelve Days of Giving has started.

MotherReader has many inventive, creative ways to give a book plus with her Ways to Give Books series: 105 Ways to Give a Book.

I know there are a couple of other blogs that always do gift giving posts; Colleen at Chasing Ray has a 12 Days of Christmas Book Lists but it hasn't started one yet this year.

My own contribution was posted in November, Giving Books at Holidays. I'll also direct you to my sidebar, where I have listed both my Favorite Books of 2009 (a work in progress as 2009 isn't over yet!) and my Favorite Books from 2007, 2006, and 2005 as possible gift ideas. Why no 2008? Year of the Printz, baby!

Jen Robinson's post on Gift Giving Ideas linked to the Booklights post on books & gift giving.

The First Novels Club posts The FNC Guide to Holiday Shopping.

I'll update this post as I see more bookish gift giving ideas. Please leave suggestions/links in the comments; it's a big blogosphere out there and I don't want to miss anything.

Edited to add:

Additional lists and ideas:

At Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile, Christmas/Winter/Holiday Books; Favorite Children's Book Recommendations: Age 0-12 months; and Favorite Children's Book Recommendations: Age 12-24 months.

For those who like to shop off of lists (all the "best/favorite" lists), Chicken Spaghetti has Best Children's Books of 2009: The Big List of Lists.



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© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

In December, 2007 and again in April, 2009 I did some guest blogging at ForeWord Magazine's ShelfSpace Blog. While ForeWord Magazine is going strong, they have discontinued doing that guest blogging. So, I am going to rerun those posts here at Tea Cozy. Any edits to remove confusion about things like dates is in brackets.

Giving Gifts at Holidays

My initial idea for this post was one about what books to give for the holidays. But then I saw Chasing Ray Twelve Days of Christmas Book Lists series and thought, well, I cannot top that. And, The Edge of the Forest (note: TEOTF is no longer available online, sorry!) included my top gift selections in its 'Tis the Season feature, offering up book ideas from the entire editorial board, myself included.

So instead, you get – Liz's tips for giving (and receiving) books!

You're a reader. Or you know a reader. That makes gift-giving easy, right? Just give a book!

But it's not so simple when you're standing in your local bookstore, staring at tables and shelves full of books: paperbacks, hardcovers, classics, new releases, fantasy, romance, non-fiction, coffee table books, pop ups. Or you're at home, in slippers, in front of the computer, looking at your online bookstore, reading reviews and user comments. Either way: it's overwhelming.

What book to give? What is the perfect fit?

Or you're the one holding the present that you can tell, from the shape and weight and feel, is a book. But it's from a relative whose taste is, well, let's just say you're leery of opening that particular package. Or you've eagerly opened the book only to discover it's an etiquette book from your sister-in-law. Huh?

Not the book you wanted. Or needed. And you're actually a bit upset someone thought that book was a fit for you.

Tips for Giving

What will the recipient want? Sounds easy, but all too often, especially with readers, we think not of what book do they want but rather "omg, this is a fabulous book and everyone should read it." Enthusiasm is great, but wouldn't it be better to give your surfer brother a nonfiction book about surfing movies?

Read any good books lately? If you're not quite sure what book to get, ask. "Read any good books lately" will help you find out both what books the reader likes, but also what they have already read. If you're afraid that is a little obvious, ask the person's partner, parents, or children.

Ask a Librarian or Bookseller. Still not sure what to get? And you absolutely positively don't want to just ask the person? Ask your local librarian or bookseller. Call the library or visit the bookstore, describe as much as possible about the person's tastes, and get some suggestions from the experts.

Tips for Receiving a Book.

Don't Buy Anything for Yourself Just Before the Holiday. Give your friends and family a break. Yes, I know, you want the newest book by your favorite author right away; but your friend may have been thrilled to finally be able to get just the right book for you. And, worst case scenario? You can still get it for yourself after the holiday.

Be Obvious About What You Want. When someone asks you, "read a good book lately," realize they are asking for gift suggestions and give them a few. Print out a list from a website, or tear the page out of a magazine or newspaper, and circle the ones you want. People aren't mind readers. Word of warning: don't give everyone the exact same suggestion.

Fake It. You open the package. Maybe you already read it; maybe you wouldn't read the book in a hundred years; maybe you find it a bit of insulting that someone t