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Holiday Reading * Hanukkah: A Counting Book in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish By: Emily Sper Age Level: 0-3 Reading Level: Pre-Reader The Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, celebrates the rededication of the Jewish temple after a group of ancient heroes defended their right to worship as they wished. This handsome little counting book honors the most joyful of Jewish holidays, and teaches readers how to count from one to eight in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. * How The Grinch Stole Christmas By: Dr. Seuss Age Level: 3-6 Reading Level: Beginning Reader The classic tale of the Grinch is now more than 50 years old. But that's just why it's a classic: Seuss' grumpy stealer of Christmas is as fresh today as it was when first published in the mid 20th century. * Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree By: Robert Barry Age Level: 3-6 Reading Level: Beginning Reader Mr. Willowby, the unwitting hero of this Christmas classic, looks quite a bit like the little mustachioed mascot from Monopoly. But as befits a Yuletide tale, this diminutive millionaire turns out to be a good bit more generous. * Seven Candles for Kwanzaa By: Andrea Pinkney & Brian Pinkney Illustrated by: Brian Pinkney Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Independent Reader Although Kwanzaa commemorates an ancient African harvest ritual, it is a relatively new holiday in North America. Seven Candles for Kwanzaa comfortably explains the origins, language, and daily themes of this warm and festive seven-day holiday. * The Gifts of Kwanzaa By: Synthia James Age Level: 3-6 Reading Level: Beginning Reader "Habari gani? What news?" Synthia Saint James presents the language and origins of Kwanzaa with enticing writing and bold pictures that honor the people and colors of Africa. * The Night Before Christmas By: Clement Moore Illustrated by: Tasha Tudor Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Independent Reader In 1822 Clement Clarke Moore wrote The Night before Christmas for his own children. Now, of course, his poem is read aloud to children around the world who are anticipating Santa's arrival. * The Polar Express By: Chris Van Allsburg Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Independent Reader A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. This holiday classic earned a Caldecott Medal. * The Tomten By: Astrid Lindgren Illustrated by: Harald Wiberg Age Level: 3-6 Reading Level: Beginning Reader From Swedish folklore comes the story of the tomten, a little gnome who watches over us while we sleep. Read this heartwarming version, from the author of Pippi Longstocking, and celebrate a time-honored tradition for the Winter Solstice. * The Trees of the Dancing Goats By: Patricia Polacco Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Independent Reader Polacco has a warm, colorful illustrative style she applies to what at first seems the simple story of a Jewish girl, Trisha, and her Christian neighbors, whose bout with scarlet fever at Christmas threatens to ruin Trisha's Hanukkah. Trisha and her family respond with a loving gesture that is rewarded in kind. * Zigazak: A Magical Hanukkah Night By: Eric Kimmel Illustrated by: Jon Goodell Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Independent Reader Is Hanukkah really all about dancing dreidels and high-flying latkes? Maybe not, but Eric Kimmel and Jon Goodell have put these devilish phenomena to good use in a lighthearted story that teaches Hanukkah traditions--from kazatzkas to gelt--along with a wise, timeless moral.
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