8 New Additions to Your Holiday Book Collection

Red & Lulu, by Matt Taveres
Cardinals offer a memorable pop of color when spotted out the window against a winter landscape, so they make for a perfect Christmas story. Mates Red and Lulu are separated when the massive evergreen holding Lulu’s nest is loaded onto a truck bound for Rockefeller Center. Determined Red finally finds her, thanks to the familiar strains of a favorite Christmas carol. Children will be excited to spot the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree on TV or in pictures after reading the author’s note explaining the tradition.

Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale, by Gloria Koster and Sue Eastman
In this Hanukkah-themed fractured fairy tale, smart little Ruthie convinces the wolf to delay eating her until she’s feasted on latkes for eight days. The wolf can hardly wait, so Ruthie distracts him by frying him up some of his own latkes and telling him the story of the Maccabees. By the time he’s polished off plates of her tasty potato pancakes, he’s too full to live up to his threats. Complete with a recipe at the end, this book will have everyone craving a crispy Hanukkah treat.

Santa, Please Bring Me a Gnome, by An Swerts and Eline van Lindenhuizen
All Tess wants for Christmas is a real gnome. Yes, a gnome. Her grandparents even help her go to great lengths to prepare, making gnome-sized furniture and bedding. When Christmas morning arrives, she’s crestfallen to find that Santa hasn’t delivered on her request. Then she finds her actual gift tucked in a corner, and her heart swells. This is a gentle story for any child who has magical –but perhaps unrealistic- hopes for what Santa will bring and shows that wishes can come true in unexpected ways.

Way Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm by Linda Glaser and Aleksander Zolotic
In this mouth-watering tale, Faigel, Chelm’s latke-maker extraordinaire, panics when she can’t remember her recipe at Hanukkah. Her desperate husband turns to the local rabbi for advice. His recommendation to use all the potatoes, eggs, and onions results in –as you might expect- a LOT more latkes than usual. Luckily the community doesn’t mind tucking in. The historical note explains that humorous Chelm stories are a Jewish tradition; this one keeps up the standard.

The Little Reindeer, by Nicola Killen
In this hushed, enchanting story, a young girl in footie pajamas follows a jingling sound into the snowy woods to find a lost reindeer. The illustrations, sketched mostly in charcoal with accents of red and silver foil, add to the feeling that the book should be read in a whisper. When the girl wakes on Christmas morning to a gift reminding her of her night’s adventures, the scene is reminiscent of “The Polar Express,” and will encourage readers to believe in the magic of Christmas.

The Nutcracker in Harlem, by T.E. McMorrow and James Ransome
This version of E.T.A Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” departs from the classic ballet. It stars Marie, who can’t quite find her voice in her large, spirited Harlem family. The shy girl falls asleep under the Christmas tree and dreams that she bravely joins the toy soldier’s drum line to defeat the mouse army. Her heroics in slumber give her the confidence she needs to sing out in real life. The paintings are striking; the cover image alone is enough to make you want to display this book all December long.

Shmelf The Hanukkah Elf, by Greg Wolfe and Howard McWilliam
For kids with questions about the coexistence of winter holiday traditions, this one is a reassuring read. The cute storyline and fresh illustrations uphold the magic of Santa Claus while offering a touching nod to kids who wonder why Jewish children don’t receive gifts that arrive on a reindeer-drawn sleigh. This story explains Hanukkah traditions in a simple and sweet way that is accessible to all families.

A Christmas for Bear, by Bonnie Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton
Those who have enjoyed other Bear stories can probably guess Bear’s reaction to Mouse’s yuletide enthusiasm; the grumpy animal who doesn’t like noise at bedtime, birthdays, or visitors tracking a mess into his freshly-swept home is also unsure about Christmas. This time, though, he’s done some of his own research, and has plans for how he’d like to celebrate. Just try not to laugh when Mouse suggests exchanging presents and he indignantly responds: “PICKLES AND POEMS! THAT IS THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!” Luckily, the friends find a little common ground with “The Night Before Christmas,” a Bear-approved poem that conveniently references gift giving (though no pickles.)