24 Carrot Writing
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Goals
  • About
    • Amanda Smith
    • Kelly Carey
    • Annie Cronin Romano
    • Francine Puckly
    • Contact
  • Book Picks

Holiday Favorites

12/18/2017

1 Comment

 
~ by Amanda Smith and special guest Tara Lazar

​Christmas favorites 

Even though my kids have outgrown picture books (to the extent that one can outgrow picture books), we have a box of Christmas picture books we unpack early every December. We rejoice in their arrival, greet them like the dear friends they are, and snuggle with them on the couch. Reading these books together is the quiet in the midst of a busy season. It is often the time I connect with my children's hearts, and it helps us reflect on why we celebrate this season. Allow me to introduce you to our favorite Christmas friends.
Picture
Dewey’s Christmas at the Library by Vicky Myron and Bret Witter (2010, Little, Brown and Company) is a sequel to Dewey, There’s a Cat in the Library.  The gorgeous illustrations by Steve James bring Dewey to life as he discovers all the dew-licious trimmings of his first Christmas as a library cat.

Keeping with the cat theme, Here comes Santa Cat by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Claudia Rueda (2014, Dial Books for Young Readers) is a definite favorite among my kids. Cat is a little concerned, as his current year to date naughty/nice pie chart is not in his favor. What if he becomes his own Santa? Or could he possibly uncover some holiday spirit and do something nice?  When we first met Cat in Here comes the Easter Cat, we fell in love with his can-do attitude, his poster-board signs, and the sweet heart that hides under his curmudgeony exterior. Here comes Santa Cat humorously delivers on all of the above.

Picture
Picture
The Christmas Cat by Maryann MacDonald (2013, Dial Books for Young Readers) is inspired by La Madonna del Gatto, a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci. The book tells of the kitten who comforted baby Jesus that first night in the stable, and became a beloved and loyal family pet. Kids will melt at the lovely illustrations by Amy June Bates, and the sweet friendship between boy and kitten. Parents will identify with the pure exasperation of Mary and Joseph at their crying baby, and recognize the special bond between pets and children. This is a heart-warming book for all ages.

Picture
Star Bright, A Christmas Story, by Allison McGhee and Peter H. Reynolds (2014, Atheneum) tells the story of the newest angel who wanted to bring a gift to the new baby. She contemplates all the gifts to her disposal, but longs to bring what is truly hers to give. The heaven imagined by McGhee and Reynolds is light, airy and modern, the precious angel has a steam-punky edge, complete with aviator goggles, and the book leaves us filled with hope and light.

Picture
Room for a Little One, A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell (2004, Margaret K. McElderry Books) is my favorite Christmas read-aloud. Kind Ox opens his stable to a myriad of animals on a cold wintry night. Among the animals he welcomes is Tired Donkey, who carries travel weary Mary and Joseph. The fabulously detailed artwork by Jason Cockcroft fills the pages of this book with inviting warmth that beckons the reader, “Come inside. There’s always room for a little one here.”


​


Although we have only a few days left in this year’s Hanukkah celebration, there’s still plenty of time to curl up with great stories. I’m delighted to welcome picture book author Tara Lazar to share her family’s favorite Hanukkah pictures books with all of you. Books by Tara include The Monstore, 7 Ate 9, Little Red Gliding Hood, and Way Past Bedtime. Take it away… 

Hanukkah Favorites
​From the time my daughters were born, we read to them every night before bed. When each Jewish holiday rolls around we seek out books to explain the holiday, share our traditions and just have some cuddly fun together. There is a saying in Hebrew--L'Dor V'Dor--which means "from generation to generation". We pass down our traditions to each generation, and to us, reading is just as important as eating latkes with applesauce during Hanukkah.​ (OK, maybe the latkes come first...)

When Mindy Saved Hanukkah by Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Barbara McClintock (1998, Scholastic)
Like the Borrowers, the Kleins are little people who make their home with the belongings of regular-sized humans. A thimble is a flower pot; a postage stamp serves as artwork above the matchbox couch.
The Kleins live within the walls of the Eldridge Street Synagogue. When they realize they need wax for Hanukkah candles, they remember seeing a stray candle by the Torah in the synagogue. Papa ventures out, but discovers a fierce Antiochus of a cat in the sanctuary. After he is injured, the only family member deemed fit enough for retrieving the candle is Mindy.
The illustrations by Barbara McClintock show gorgeous scenes of the synagogue from perspectives grand and small. The love, joy and feisty spirit of the Klein clan echoes the story of the Maccabees and makes this a meaningful, heartwarming tale.
Picture
Picture
The Chanukkah Guest by Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Giora Carmi (1988, Scholastic)
This is a classic! Kids will crack up at how the elderly Bubba Brayna mistakes her early Chanukkah guest for the Rabbi—who happens to be very hungry for her famous latkes. I still laugh aloud every time I read it. No matter how rude her guest, Bubba Brayna makes it a Happy Chanukkah for him.

Picture
Hanukkah Around the World by Tami Lehman-Wilzig; illustrated by Vicki Wehrman (2009, Kar-Ben Publishing)
This exploration of Hankkah traditions is told by short stories representing each country, from Israel to Tunisia. It includes recipes for the traditional Hanukkah foods of each region, like Burmelos from Turkey and Precipizi from Italy. This book demonstrates to Jewish children that no matter where you go in the world, a shared Hebrew language, the Torah and tradition unite us.

Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match by Karen Rostoker-Gruber; illustrated by Ronald H. Isaacs (2015, Apples & Honey Press)
The Jewish values of having compassion for animals and welcoming guests are on full display in this funny tale about Farmer Kobi’s Hanukkah date. (The title is the matchmaker kind of “match”.) Personally, I love the puns, farm animals and food—and it doesn’t have to be Hanukkah to laugh along with this book.
Picture
We wish you the messages of these books.
Humor
Heart
Comfort
Light
Hope and
Love
​Happy Holidays!
1 Comment
Cathy Mealey
12/19/2017 05:07:44 pm

Delightful choices, one and all!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Join our Facebook Group

    Categories

    All
    20 Minute Miracles
    Accountability
    Amanda
    Annie
    Author Interviews
    Book Proposals
    Book Release
    Carrots
    Chapter Book
    Character Development
    Conferences
    Contest
    Cover Reveal
    Craft
    Creativity
    Critiques
    Diversity
    Drafting
    Editing
    Fiction
    Francine
    Graphic Novel
    Guest Posts
    Holiday Wishes
    Hook
    Illustration
    Inspirational
    Interviews
    Kelly
    Library
    Magazine Writing
    Marketing
    Megan
    Middle Grade
    Nonfiction
    Picture Books
    Plot
    Promotion
    Publishing
    Query
    Read
    Readers
    Revision
    SCBWI
    Self Publishing
    Self-Publishing
    Setting
    Story Structure
    Submissions
    Tech Tools
    Tips And Tools
    Voice
    What Is 24 Carrot Writing
    Writing Challenges
    Writing Community
    Writing Goals
    Ya
    Young Adult

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

    Click to set custom HTML
    Click on the RSS Feed button above to receive notifications of new posts on this blog.

    The 24 Carrot writers are   

    Francine ~ YA
    Kelly ~ Picture books, MG,               Short stories 
    Annie ~ Picture books, MG

    Amanda ~ Picture books,                      MG, YA       

Photos used under Creative Commons from byzantiumbooks, JKehoe_Photos, GotCredit, Chicago's North Shore Conventions & Visitors Burea, Roman Pfeiffer, ymu rocks, Au Kirk, Sweet Dreamz Design