A reading list for your holidays

By Bianca Roberts
Manager, Youth Services
St. Louis County Library

In many cultures, the end of the year is the time used to celebrate and give thanks for all the good that has come during the year.

Below are fiction and non-fiction books about those of the holidays celebrated in December: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Some of the books are traditional holiday tales while others are a little off-centered.

I hope you will find entertainment and maybe even a little education in each of them. The call number is listed so that you can easily find the books at the St. Louis County Library branches.

Enjoy the holidays and these great reads!

The Eight Nights of Chanukah, by Leslee Newman
The wondrous days of Chanukah come to life through the eyes of a young child, whose family gathering grows bigger and bigger as the holiday progresses. J 296.425 1-2.

The Miracle of Hanukkah by Seymour Chwast
The Hanukkah story, from the looting and destruction of the Temple to the Maccabees' victory to the eighth day miraculous burning of one day's supply of oil to the prime significance of the word "Hanukkah." J 296.425 1-1.

Four Sides, Eight Nights: a New Spin on Hanukkah by Rebecca Tova Ben-Zvi
Collection of short stories including: How Hanukkah Happened; Dreidel Family Tree; Nun, Gimmel, Hay, Shin; I Have a Little Dreidel; I Made It Out of; A Holiday Within a Holiday; Sevivon Science; Goodies and Gelt. J 296.435 3-4.

Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon
A World War I veteran tells his grandson of his experiences in 1914, when British and German soldiers declared a truce to celebrate Christmas together. JE 1-2.

Christmas Tree Farm by Ann Purmell
A boy describes how he, his grandfather and the rest of his family work on their tree farm throughout the year to prepare Christmas trees. JE 1-2.

A Creature Was Stirring by Clement C. Moore
As a family lives out the famous poem by Clement Moore, a young mouse that shares their house is unable to sleep and, in his excitement, performs several deeds bound to place him on the naughty list, and one that just might save him. JE 1-2.

Dore's Starry Christmas by Christine Ricci
Based on the TV series, Dora the Explorer. When a very special surprise visitor arrives at Dora's house on Christmas Eve, he needs help-and fast! Join Dora and friends on their magical Christmas adventure. JE 1-2.

My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz
A girl describes how she and her family celebrate seven days of Kwanzaa. JE 1-2.

Pooch on the Loose: A Christmas Adventure by Steven Kroll
Bart, an adventurous dog, escapes from his master one day and takes a whirlwind tour of New York City to enjoy all the Christmas sights. JE 1-2.

Santa Claws by Laura Leuck
Rhyming test and illustrations follow the Christmas Eve activities of monster boys, Mack and Zack, as they get ready for a visit from Santa Claws. JE 1-2.

Santa's Kwanzaa by Garen Eileen Thomas
Santa Claus returns from a long night of delivering Christmas presents to find a Kwanzaa surprise at his North Pole home. JE 1-2.

The Very Snowy Christmas by Diana Hendry
When Little Mouse ventures out on Christmas Eve in search of holly with big red berries, he gets a fright. But, Big Mouse is able to explain everything. JE 1-2.

The Winter Witch by Clay Bonnyman Evans
Now that his parents are divorced, Stephen is not looking forward to Christmas in a new home with his new Jewish stepmother. But, an old neighbor gives him perspective on the common meaning of several winter festivals. JE 1-2.

The Best Christmas Ever by Chih-Yuan Chen.
Little Bear's family is too poor to buy Christmas presents. But, they get a surprise when they find special gifts that seem to have been left by "Toddler Christmas." JE 3-4.

An Elk Dropped In by Andreas Steinhofel
While on a pre-Christmas trial run for the famous man in red, an elk named Mr. Moose crashes through the roof of a house. And, while recuperating from a sprain, he regales Billy Wagner and his family with stories. JF 3-4.

The Christmas Nutcracker by Ann Bryant
Poppy, Jasmine and Ross are so excited! Their ballerina dreams have come true and they are dancing in The Nutcracker with a real professional company. JF 4-6.

On Christmas Eve by Ann M. Martin
Eight-year-old Tess is convinced, if she believes and stays aware of magic around her, she will meet Santa Claus on Christmas Eve of 1958. Then, she will thank him for his gifts and ask him to use his magic to cure her best friend's father of cancer. JF 4-6.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A miser learns the true meaning of Christmas when three ghostly visitors review his past and foretell his future. JF 7-9.

All New Crafts for Kwanzaa by Kathy Ross
Twenty-two fun projects for kids help teach about Kwanzaa. QJ 745.594 1-2.

The Merry Christmas Activity Book by Jane Bull
Presents ideas and how-to illustrations for Christmas crafts, gifts and seasonal food treats. QJ 745.594 3-4.