Gingerbread Baby

Author: Jan Brett
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Publication Date: 1999
Genre: Holidays

Audience: Gr. Pre-K - 2
Overview: A young boy (Matti) and his mother are baking a gingerbread boy, but Matti peeks too soon and the gingerbread baby escapes from the oven which leads to a long chase. Matti corrects his mistake by baking a gingerbread house, this time following the directions and not peeking, in which he catches the gingerbread baby and saves him from everyone who was trying to catch him.
Activity: Discuss a time that the students did something that they had been warned not to do and what were the consequences of their actions. How did they solve the problem that they had created? 
Reviewer’s Name: Kate Williams

The Animals’ Merry Christmas

Author: Tula Anthony

Illustrator: Lisa Haughom

Publisher: Kids Books Inc

Publication Date: 1995

Genre: Holiday/ Animals

Audience: Gr. Pre-K - 2

Overview: As the animals are eagerly waiting for Christmas, they realize that they forgot to decorate the tree on Christmas Eve. They rush to cram all of the ornaments on the tree, but with their haste they don’t realize that they put all of them on one side and the tree collapses. They must work together to sort the ornaments and delegate the tasks to decorate a balanced tree in time for Christmas morning.

Activity: Have students decorate their own winter wreaths to take home to share with their families.

Reviewer’s Name: Kate Williams 

Clifford's First Halloween

Author: Norman Bridwell

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc

Publication Date: September 1995

Genre: Holidays

Audience: Pre-K-1

Overview: This is a fun and lovable story about Clifford‘s first Halloween. Children will fall in love with the big red dog as they reminisce with his owner, Emily Elizabeth on his adventures of his first trick-or-treating experience and what happened when he went to his first Halloween party. 

Activity: After discussing this story, children can talk about their own family Halloween traditions and what they are doing for the upcoming holiday. After sharing with the class, each student will decorate their own pumpkin to hang on a bulletin board in the classroom.

Reviewer’s Name: Corri Deegan 

The Polar Express

Author/Illustrator: Chris van Allsburg

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

Publication Date: 1985

Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Holidays

Audience: Gr. Gr. K-5,

Awards: The Caldecott Medal

Overview: This is a timeless tale of Christmas that will excite any child and spark imagination. Warm illustrations catch the reader’s eye and are a positive addition to the story. Vivid descriptions and rich language tell the tale of a young boy regaining his faith in Santa Claus on his late night train ride to the North Pole.

Activity: While reading the book have students sit in their chairs as if they were on a train, give them a ticket and have them board the train. Ask students to describe the sights they see as they ride to the North Pole. After reading, have students design their own bell on paper.

Reviewer’s Name: Alison Jakovics

The Best Eid Ever

Author/Illustrator: Asma Mobin-Uddin/Laura Jacobsen
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
Publication Date: 2007
Genre: Picture Book
Audience: Gr. K-3

Overview: While celebrating Eid, the biggest Muslim holiday, a young girl learns a special lesson of sharing, compassion, and the true meaning of celebrations. This realistic story provides opportunity for readers to gain an understanding of Pakastani customs through a universal spirit of giving.

Activity: After discussing this story, readers can share their own stories of helping others who are less fortunate. Finding a way to help others within your own school community might be a way to express simple generosity.

Reviewer’s Name: Deb Marciano

The Polar Express

Author/Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Publication Date: 1985
Genre: Fiction Picture Book
Audience: All ages
Awards: Caldecott Medal Winner

Overview: A boy is taken away on a magical journey to the North Pole via the Polar Express. He gets a chance to choose a present of his choice first. He receives a melodic silver bell and he keeps it for the rest of his life. The bell sounds beautiful to people who believe in spirit of holiday.

Reviewer’s Name: Shiori Tachiwana