Now’s the time to buy holiday books.
What?!? You’re asking. Christmas is tomorrow. The holidays are essentially over.
True. But now’s the best time. You haven’t packed up all the season’s decorations and books yet. Anything you get now will be new for next year, and most likely you can get what you want on sale.
Here are some of this year’s releases that would be great additions to your collections.
“’Twas the Night Before Christmas (Holiday Classics),” by Clement Clarke Moore and Jessie Willcox Smith, HMH Books for Young Readers; Reissue edition, Sept. 23, 2014, Hardcover, $8.99 (ages 4-8)
I grew up with pictures by Jessie Willcox Smith. She’s one of my mom’s favorites. Pair Smith’s illustrations with the classic tale by Clement C. Moore and you’ve got an instant classic.
“Little Blue Truck’s Christmas,” by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry, HMH Books for Young Readers; Ina Brdbk edition, Sept. 23, 2014, Hardcover, $14.99
Little Blue Truck is spreading cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Young readers can count down as the trees are delivered and are rewarded with a sparkling tree of their own at the end of the book.
“The Animals’ Santa,” by Jan Brett, Putnam, Oct. 21, 2014, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-5)
Jan Brett imagines what Christmas is like for animals and poses the question, “Who is the animals’ Santa”? It’s classic Jan Brett, featuring North American animals in perfect detail. (Read Cracking the Cover’s interview with Jan.)
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Pop-Up Book,” by Lisa Marsoli and Keith Andrew Finch, Silver Dolphin Books; Pop Spl edition, Sept. 23, 2014, Hardcover, $19.95 (ages 3 and up)
The classic animated tale comes to paper once again, but this time in 3-D. The beloved characters literally pop off the pages.
“A Christmas Wish For Corduroy,” by B.G. Hennessy and Don Freeman, Oct 21, 2014, Viking, Oct. 21, 2014, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3-5)
Corduroy has been a favorite of mine since childhood. Now he returns wishing he could be a child’s holiday gift, and he thinks Santa can help him.
“And Then Comes Christmas,” by Tom Brenner and Jana Christy, Candlewick, Sept. 9, 2014, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 4-8)
“And Then Comes Christmas” focuses on the buildup to Christmas — leaves falling from the trees; decorating inside and out; welcoming the first snowfall. Though Santa and presents are both featured, what’s nice here is the focus on family.
“’Twas Nochebuena,” by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and Sara Palacios, Viking Juvenile, Oct. 16, 2014, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3-5)
Latino holiday traditions are celebrated with a mixture of mostly English and a smattering of Spanish. This is one I can’t wait to read with my daughter when she is older. She’ll learn about other cultures and pick up some vocabulary as well.
