Festivals Books

I love this book. I teach 3rd grade and happened upon it quite by accident. It was by far the most effective way to teach not only about Hanukkah, but also in a very age appropriate way, about the Holocaust. It lead to great discussions that day. I was moved to tears when I read it the first time. Yes, it is a story about deep grief, but also about the strength to live in unliveable situations. I highly recommend this book to anyone who teaches, who has children, or just wants to read a beautiful story of hope and renewal.

30-page picture book. Slightly longer than your average picture book but still short enough for one sitting. Two children invite Morris, the flower vender, to join them for Hanukkah. The holiday brings back painful boyhood memories as he recalls the horrors of the holocaust and the last time he celebrated Hanukkah with his own family. Emotional healing begins when he shares these memories with the Becker family. A perfect introduction to the holocaust for sensitive younger audiences. The holocaust story is not graphic or overwhelming but does portray a strong sense of sadness, hopelessness and loss. Makes a good read-aloud for older students as well.

This emotionally engaging story is partly about Hanukkah andpartly about the Holocaust, but is mostly about real people and realfeelings. Morris Kaplan, a lonely man who is a Holocaust survivor, is very kind to Jonathan and Ilana, a brother and sister who come to his flower shop regularly to buy flowers, by giving them more flowers than they actually have the money for. A friendship develops and the children invite Mr. Kaplan to their home to help celebrate Hanukkah. This small kindness changes Morris Kaplan's life---and that of the family. I loved this story and the good feelings it evoked in me. I would recommend this story for all ages.

What I like most about this book is that it is so differentfrom the average Jewish children's book. Instead of going through theseder and what each thing symbolizes, it tells a humorous story about a girl worried that there will not be sufficient seating at her family's seder table. Its a funny book, that just happens to occur during Pesach. A real treat.

A very clever poem about celelbrating the Seder when there is not enough room. Especially nice for non-orthodox families because the characters could be us and the traditions referenced in the book are probably familiar to most readers even if not orthodox. And the last line of the book makes me smile time and time again. I think I may it enjoy it more than my children. Get it. You can't go wrong.

This darling 37-page book offers even the smallest of children--babies and toddlers too--a funny Passover feast.

The poem has barely more than 200 words, but hilariously recounts the arrival of guests--while counting their 19 noses, 38 thumbs, freckles and the hosts' insufficient chairs. It wanders through places they might find seats, including "in the attic,/ Or on bookshelves in pairs,"... "in the sink/ Soaking suds with the pans," camped out "in the carport" or in "empty trash cans."

For the Kiddush (blessing the wine) the family will stand, so that's no problem, but the child narrator knows that sitting down for the meal will land "half on the floor." He thinks of stacking everyone in one chair, and reading "the Haggadah/ Sing songs filled with hope,/ With one book at the bottom/And a long periscope."

I won't spoil any of the glorious special effects. Suffice it to say, readers will delight in the book's dipping of greens, funny hiding of matzah and hysterical asking of four questions. (Even Elijah brings a laugh.) Children also love the simple pen and ink drawings that bring this light-heartedness to life. Alyssa A. Lappen

This book is one that I will remember for a very long time. My daughters borrowed it from the library several times until I finally decided to buy it. They absolutely love it. The book enables me to reminisce about my own childhood and the wonderful times with my extended family.

This is a beautiful book that both children and adults will love. My daughter 6 has brought it again and again from her school library. The story is realistic and one to which children can relate easily, they all love parties especially with chips, deserts and lots of fun, including their grandma. The illustrations details are breathtaking, absolutely wonderful, a true piece of art. Sentences are short and easy to read for your child, but also challenging. We also recommend the French translation. You will want to see more from the same author, just as we did.

My three year old and I love this book. Full of color and motion, it is our favorite of her large (and growing) library.

This is by far my baby's favorite book! She was not interested in listening to a book at all, until we found these lift-a-flap books. She is 9 months old. When we show her this one she dances and starts screaming. She loves it! I am going to get the whole set. The illustrations are so great and simple and the hands look like they are really playing peek-a-boo. These are great for kids that are getting into peek-a-boo.

I have used all of the books from the "Peek-a..." series by Marie Torres Cimarusti and Stephanie Peterson in my Storytimes. They are ideal for 2 and 3 year olds but I have even used them with some of my more "mature" 1 year old sessions. I highly recommend this book and all the others in this series to librarians and parents of young children. They are interactive and unique and familiar and educational. Just wonderful!

Love the friendly Halloween characters, and lift the flaps are always a hit with the young ones. This is my one year old's favorite book!

Petunia loves Charles so much she gathers the money to buy his freedom. This old fashioned love story would be as good for Valentines Day as Christmas, since its story is about true love, someone for everyone, and the power of true love.

The Petunia books are among my favourites from my childhood and are still enormously appealing to children. This story was originally published in 1960 and while elements might not appeal to some people now, it is in fact subversively a wonderful tale.

Petunia is goose who lives at Pumpkin farm. During a walk in the snow one day she comes across another goose called Charles at Windy Farm, he is being fattened up for Christmas dinner. Petunia is a pet so is not being fattened up - however she falls in love with Charles and vows to help him escape.

First she dresses up by painting herself as a terrible dragon. It works, but only briefly. Charles is led back to the farm - he is 20 pounds in weight and worth 75c a pound So then Petunia hatches a new plan, collecting pine to make christmas decorations and selling them, then she makes other decorations.

When she has enough money she rushes to the farm to buy his freedom. The farmer and his wife are so taken with her devotion that they give her Charles and her money back. She and Charles have a marvellous christmas party with all the animals (and Mr and Mrs Pumpkin) and live happily ever after with all their goslings

I am sure you can see the appeal. There are some gender roles in this with the farmer and his wife, but then there is Petunia who is tenacious, clever and completely out of stereotypical-female-role. She is a great role model as she peseveres until she finds the solution.

The drawings are in the sketchy style of the period with many as line drawings and some coloured. They are very appealing but sometimes I think I prefer the rich lush characters in other books. Petunia is a lovely quirky character to look at and to read about.

There are other Petunia books and I would highly recommend those as well.

I loved this Christmas story as a little girl! I have read and reread it over the years. Now as a teacher for almost 20 years I get to share it with my class each year as my favorite story. It encourages them to think of others during this busy season. It is a beautiful and fun lesson about loving and what you can do for others.

William is attending the annual Halloween picnic at Mudsock Meadow and things are not going well. They are at the edge of Quicksand Bottoms and there is an eerie glow that people say is caused by the ghost of Titus Dinworthy, a miner who disappeared about one hundred years ago. When William says that the glow is due to swamp gas, he is laughed at.
The first event is the pumpkin-carving contest, which he fails at miserably. At the fishing booth, he manages to tangle his line with Hester's and she laughs at him saying "Peee youuuuu, smelly old William." He tries to compete in the pumpkin spitting contest but is disqualified because he accidentally swallows the seed. In the tug-o-war, he slips and falls at Hester's feet. He has high hopes in the dress-up contest, but his old sheet costume is mediocre compared to the others.
However, the "ghost" reappears and when everyone else flees, William walks out and challenges the ghost. Even though he lands face first in the mud, he is a hero to everyone else and Hester sits by him and calls him her hero.
Beautifully illustrated and with a delightful moral, this story is an excellent one for young children. I strongly recommend it.

This is a magical ghost story/young romance /comedy by one of the very best children's book writers, Patricia Polacco. Here she creates a wonderfully drawn `folk tale' about a group of kids and their almost encounter with the ghost of Quicksand Bottoms. Polacco is at the top of her narrative and artistic game.

On pages 3-4, for example, Polacco foreshortens the perspective, in a manner that evokes Grandma Moses, to show the dozens of towns `folk" making Halloween preparations. (Patricia Polacco is also Dr. Patricia Polacco, with a doctorate in art history). On the very next two-page illustration, Polacco returns to her familiar loveable loopy style. She is a master at conveying emotion and character just through splashes of color accenting expressive broad faces.

The story is both leisurely and suspenseful, as the Halloween contests and pre-adolescent William's attempts to show Hester a thing or two (i.e., woo her) play against the looming presence of the legendary ghost. William can't seem to get anything right, and he gets "mad as the dickens." Polacco uses colloquialisms to good effect, especially with names: There's Hester Bledden, the object of his affection, as well as Mr. Stillwater, Lula Mae Cobb, Eulaylee Tester, Boof and Bertie Schiffer, all portrayed without condescension.

Williams' big opportunity arrives that night "as an eerie blue light came up out of the swamp." Polacco's drawing of the swamp gas--or is it?) give us some spectacular blue tones and evanescent effects.

The exciting, well-plotted denouement gives frustrated William a chance too show his bravery and win the heart of Hester, as they share a plate of ice cream. This is a beautifully drawn and written story, and is one of the best of the Polacco's many superb books. Teachers, parents, other adults, and kids will also want to check out her fun and informative website.

I'm a speech-language specialist who is very picky about which books I use in therapy sessions. Polacco's books draw kids into the very identifiable characters. We spent 3 weeks on the story, reading it, retelling it and drawing a story map about it. Great around Halloween! Highly recommended for grades 2-5.

I enjoyed reading this book. It's written by an insider, a priest, who has lived in the Holy Land, and knows it well. He is quick to point out why certain places are believed to be actual sites where events occurred and what not to believe. He includes appropriate hymns and prayers for the holy sites. It is written for those taking a spiritual journey to the Holy Land.

I am leading a group of 48 people to the Holy Land and originally intended to compose a liturgy/sacred reading book for the group to use at each of the sites of our visit. I began to research all the relevant Scripture passages; for example, Elijah's battle with the Baals for our stop at Mt. Carmel; the Capernaum passages, etc. Then I discovered Fr. Doyle's book and Hallelujah! Saved me a ton of time. All the relevant Scripture references etc. and passages for all the key sites, along with appropos reflections, suitable hymns etc. This book is not an exegesis nor a history nor archeological text, but an excellent liturgical accompaniment.

I ordered 4 copies of this book last Sunday and paid for shipping next day air. You needed 1/2 days for handling. The books have not arrived and I'm leaving tomorrow (Sunday) for Israel. Please note: I'm not paying and will need to send these books back due to delay in arriving

Me and my pal Adrian just wanted to say

WAHOOO! This book is awesome! I followed its, uh, guidelines on how to do things, and it brought me fame from all over are school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That lady who wrote this is a genius!!!!!!!!!!!

Putting On A Party is a how-to book written especially for kids ages 6 and up, although readers of all ages can use it to plan an exciting adventure party for young people. Colorful illustrations and easy-to-understand text instruct one in the basic steps of organizing, planning, and hosting a celebration. From basic tips and advice (including how to respond to someone who asks why they weren't invited, and knowing how to end a party on a high note) to decoration and invitation ideas, the heart of the book, a wide catalogue of fun party games that all guests can play together, Putting On A Party is a superb resource and starting guide for kids' get-togethers of all kinds, including birthday, holiday, and end of school year celebrations.

This book addresses etiquette issues in a fun way. There are so many great activities, recipes and games in this book that you won't want to wait for a party to try them out. This book is a great resource for parents and children alike. The humor throughout guarantees that children will read and learn.

This is something to be cherished year after year. I will love it forever!

If you like Mary Engelbreit, you will like this book. Even if you are not a big fan, The Queen of Christmas is a very sweet book for children of all ages. Mary's illustrations are as bright and happy as ever and she is even a decent writer. The story follows Ann Estelle through the last few days before Christmas as she adds new things to her Christmas wish list everyday. In the end she realizes that the presents were not what made Christmas so special. This book also has the added bonus of sevel pages of Ann Estelle paper dolls. I gave this book to my 2 1/2 year old daughter and she loves it.

Young Ann Estelle aka the Queen of Christmas, began working on her Christmas list right after Christmas last year. While it may seem strange to begin wishing for new gifts right after you received a batch of splendid ones, Ann Estelle felt that it was essential to begin marking down the items she wanted the most. Now, one year later, Ann Estelle's list has grown to an amazing length, containing small items like a red skating outfit - with sparkles - all the way to large items, such as a pony. Now, as the Christmas celebrations have begun taking place, the Queen of Christmas realizes that there is much to do. From baking cookies, to sledding, to trimming the tree. With so much of her time taken up by festivities, Ann Estelle almost doesn't finish her list in time. But the Queen of Christmas knows just how Santa works - he'll bring her something great no matter what, even if it's not on her list.

Mary Engelbreit's illustrations have captured hearts around the world, but now her precocious alter ego, Ann Estelle, has the power to capture audiences with her oft-times zany, and spoiled-like musings on the world, and the holidays in general. Ann Estelle is like the world-renowned ELOISE, sans the Plaza Hotel. Her thoughts regarding the holidays, and presents, are hilarious, and mesh quite well with how young children think - that Santa will bring them anything and everything on their list, no matter how out there their requests are. Mary Engelbreit has done a marvelous job giving an enjoyable voice to Ann Estelle, while her illustrations depicting the Queen of Christmas participating in all things festive - from skating to sledding, and baking to feasting - bring the holiday tale to life, and close it with a moral that will leave every parent in smiles. Engelbreit and Ann Estelle team up to make your spirits bright this holiday season!

Erika Sorocco

This was an excellent book to use in my 4th grade class for read aloud. It had developed, believable characters and a great plot. We used it for predicting and the story left us many opportunities to make inferences. We can all identify with the character of Meg and her struggles to make her life seem normal with a stressful home and a special needs brother. There were many opportunities to make personal connections with the story. The book also has a tremendous ending that left some students, and myself, with tears in our eyes because we were so touched. The theme defintely helps us look at ourselves to figure out what is really important about Christmas which was very good for all my students since they come from very difficult backgrounds. All could relate to and see what was really important. Each student loved this book and so did I.

This was a very enjoyable book, particularly good to read during the Christmas holidays. It puts things into perspective. It gives kids insight into the difficulties families experience when a family member is disabled.

The book A Real Christmas This Year is probably the best book I have ever read. It's about a girl who's brother is mentaly challenged. She thinks he's going to ruin christmas. This is a really good book.