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Broyles, Anne. Shy Mama's Halloween. Illus. by Leane Morin. 2000. 40p. Tilbury House. Gr. K-5. Anya and her sisters and brother had heard about this day they call Halloween since they had immigrated to America. It meant dressing up in costumes and getting treats from the people in the houses around their neighborhood. They were assimilating into American culture through school, but Mama who new little English was having a more difficult time. Mama was glad that Papa was going to take the children out trick-or-treating, but when he came home sick from work it was suddenly her responsibility. Through a poignant and touching experience trick-or-treating around the neighborhood Mama goes through a transition with her feelings about America. The night air is filled with laughter and joy. Everyone on the street is friendly and welcoming as though they had known each other for some time. The subtlety and importance of welcoming immigrants as they make a difficult transition to a new country is presented very effectively in this touching Halloween story.
Hoffman, Mary. Three Wise Women. Illus. by Lynne Russell. 1999. 28p. Phyllis Fogelman Books. Pre K-3. What if women also traveled to see the new born king? In this Christmas story three humble and beautiful women, from different locations, travel toward the bright star. When they meet along the way they journey together unknowing what they will find. Their gifts are simple, but all reflect their motherly love.
Mohr, Joseph. Silent Night, Holy Night. Illus. by Maja Dusíková. 1999. 24p. North-South. All ages. As you might expect this book is the world famous song, Silent Night, Holy Night illustrated. One of the neat features of this book along with the wonderful illustrations is the story behind the song. It was Christmas Eve 1818, in the little town of Oberndorf, Austria. That afternoon the choir gathered in St. Nicholas church for rehearsal only to find the organ not working. Some say a mouse chewed a hole in the bellows. For certain the organ was not working so Father Joseph Mohr wrote the lyrics to Silent Night and asked Franz Gruber, the organist to write the melody. They rehearsed and that night at midnight service, with Father Mohr accompanying on guitar, Silent Night was inaugurated.
Neugebauer, Charise. Santa's Gift. Illus. by Barbara Nascimbeni. 1999. 32p. North-South. All ages. In this story Timothy, who is used to getting new toys every year gets something even more special this Christmas. This gift works all year but is something that only Timothy can make happen by his actions. There is a message in this thoughtful story for all of us. The most important thing at Christmas is the act of giving, not receiving.
Polacco, Patricia. Welcome Comfort. 1999. 32p. Philomel. Gr. K & up. In this touching Christmas story a young boy named Comfort is ridiculed by the children at school. The janitor befriends Comfort. Over time Comfort grows up and learns a special secret about Quintin the janitor. Like Polacco's prior books this one too will pull at your heart strings.
Watts, Bernadette. Harvey Hare's Christmas. 1999. 24p. North-South. Pre K-2. Another cute adventure with Harvey Hare! As you may recall, Harvey Hare is the postal carrier for all the animals. As Christmas season approached so did the amount of mail for Harvey Hare to deliver. Soon it was more mail than he could care in his sack. The animals pitched in by helping him build bigger containers for carrying the mail until there was so much that they had to help Harvey Hare deliver the packages. En route up the hill the packages fell off the sled and to the animals' surprise they discovered the packages didn't need delivering because everyone was present to receive them.
Wong, Janet S. This Next New Year. Illus. by Yangsook Choi. 2000. 32p. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Gr. K-2. This is a distinctive story in the way a young biracial Korean and Chinese boy observes the neighborhood Chinese New Year. His family follows many of the old traditions, but also have modified some to honor their Korean side too. His multicultural neighbors adopt some of the Chinese traditions into their celebrations. The recognition and assimilation reflect acknowledgement and respect for the cultural heritage of their neighbors.
Zalben, Jane Breskin. To Every Season: A Family Holiday Cookbook. 1999. 112p. Simon & Schuster. All ages. This is a great cooking and historical context book for American Holidays. From the most celebrated to lesser observed days there is a story of origin coupled with several recipes to make the celebration complete. A good source for finding some favorites along with many new recipes to try with family and friends.
Ziefert, Harriet. Hats Off for the Fourth of July! Illus. by Gustaf Miller. 2000. 24p. Viking. Pre K-2. Parades and the Fourth of July have become synonymous across the United States. This book marches you through a parade from start to finish. Some of the participants might look familiar and others will bring a smile to your face.
Zolotow, Charlotte. The Beautiful Christmas Tree. Illus. by Yan Nascimbene. 1999. 32p. Houghton Mifflin. Pre K-3. There once was a run down dwelling squeezed between rows of brownstone houses. Nobody noticed the old place not even when Mr. Crockett moved in and started to fix the place up. He washed the windows and planted a small evergreen tree in the front. After awhile everyone thought he was a bit crazy accept David, the neighbor boy. Over time Mr. Crockett's tree began attracting birds to the neighborhood. On the next Christmas day the tree was loaded with birds of every color bringing laughter and delight to the whole neighborhood.