Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, Everyone!
I'm excited that it's December and we finally get to share holiday books :) I have such a sweet book for today! In past years, I have stuck to books like Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree which, though about Christmas, are not at all religious. The book I've chosen today veers a little closer to the traditional story of Christmas but it's so beautifully done that I think it's appropriate for everyone, regardless of religion or belief. I hope you get a chance to read it!
Written By: Alison McGhee
Illustrated By: Peter H. Reynolds
Atheneum Books For Young Readers, September 2014, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: Christmas, the nativity, giving/generosity
Opening: "It was the end of December, and a baby was soon to be born. A baby! In the heavens, angels turned light with joy."
Brief Synopsis: An extra special baby is coming and the newest angel wants to give a present. But what can she give? Wind is the sky's gift. Rain is the clouds' gift. Music is the gift of the songbirds. But when the little angel sees three lost travelers, she knows exactly what to give - the best gift of all!
Links To Resources: share the story of the nativity no matter your personal religion or beliefs - it's good for kids to know about things that are deeply important to others as well as to themselves and you can share the story of Hanukah etc. too; talk about gifts - what makes a good gift? does it have to be big, extravagant, expensive? what makes a gift really matter to someone? what kinds of gifts do you like to give and receive? Make these sugar cookies RECIPE HERE in the shapes of Christmas trees, stars, or whatever else you like :) Make paper stars INSTRUCTIONS HERE; make paper snowflakes INSTRUCTIONS HERE
Why I Like This Book: You know me - I love sweet stories :) And this is one of those stories that tugs at your heartstrings just enough to make it memorable without being overdone. But what I really love about this book is the creative way it spins the story of the nativity, so that you get the basic idea without anything overtly religious - and that's quite a feat to have pulled off! On one level, this is simply a story about a child who wants to give a wonderful gift but doesn't know what she can offer, and how many children have felt like that? Her creative solution will inspire young readers to think up their own creative solutions - when it comes to gifts, what can they give that only they can give? And the art is by Peter H. Reynolds. Enough said :)
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Have a great weekend, everybody! See you Monday for the Holiday Contest!!! (For which I have still not written my sample... or even really started thinking about it... details, details :))
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