Wednesday, December 16, 2009

RIF's Holidays Near & Far Booklist

Check out these picture books, which celebrate holiday traditions around the world!

The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll (African American / Christmas)
by Patricia McKissack

It's Christmas, and Nella is beside herself with excitement! She and her sisters have been given a real gift—a beautiful Baby Betty doll. But it's hard to share something you've waited your whole seven-year-old life for, and Nella grabs the doll for herself. It isn't long before she discovers that a doll can't do the fun things she and her sisters do together.

Asher and the Capmakers (Eastern European / Hanukkah)
by Eric A. Kimmel

On the night before Hanukkah, Asher is on his way to get an egg for his mother, who is making latkes. But when he gets lost in the woods, he encounters a group of mischievous fairies who take him on an adventure to Jerusalem.

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes (Jewish-American / Hanukkah)
by Linda Glaser

It's the last night of Hanukkah and there are only three little potatoes left—not enough to make latkes for the relatives. But Rachel has the solution: she will borrow some potatoes from Mrs. Greenberg. And then she will invite Mrs. Greenberg, who is all alone, to share Hanukkah with her family.


Brigid’s Cloak (Irish / Christmas)
by Bryce Milligan

In this retelling of an Irish legend, Brigid is a shepherdess who wears a beautiful blue cloak she received when she was a baby. One day, while praying, Brigid is suddenly transported to the nativity stable in Bethlehem where she offers her coat to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Carlos, Light the Farolito (Mexican / Christmas)
by Jean Carlos Ciavonne

It is Christmas Eve and Carlos’s neighborhood is celebrating Las Posadas, a traditional Mexican reenactment of the Nativity story. Carlos is dismayed to see the procession of neighbors and friends coming up the front walk. Since his grandfather isn’t home yet, it’s up to Carlos to take over the role as Innkeeper. But he's so frightened, he can hardly breathe, let alone sing!

The Last Straw (Christmas)
by Frederick H. Thury

Hoshmakaka is a prideful camel who reluctantly accepts the task of carrying gifts to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Along the way, as crowds of people add gifts to his load, he constantly brags that he is as strong as ten horses. But when a child places a piece of straw (for the manger) on Hoshmakaka’s back, he soon learns the value of humility.

The Legend of Old Befana (Italian / Christmas)
by Tomie de Paola

In this retelling of an Italian legend, the Three Kings invite Befana, a cranky old woman, to come with them to find the Baby King. But she tells them she must finish her household chores first. When her chores are done, she gathers up food and toys to give to the Baby King.

Hanukkah Moon (Mexican / Hanukkah)
by Deborah Da Costa

When Isobel is invited to Aunt Luisa’s for Hanukkah, she’s not sure what to expect. "At Aunt Luisa’s you’ll get to celebrate the Hanukkah Moon," Isobel's father promises. Isobel’s days at Aunt Luisa’s are filled with fun and surprises—a new camera, a dreidel piƱata filled with sweets, and a mysterious late night visit to welcome the luna nueva (new moon).


Sam and the Lucky Money (Chinese-American / Chinese New Year)
by Karen Chinn

This year Sam gets to spend his New Year's gift money any way he chooses. Shopping carefully in his favorite Chinatown stores, he is disappointed to find that everything he wants is too expensive. Deciding to forgo a tasty sweet or a new toy for himself, Sam donates his money instead to a barefoot homeless man.
Seven Spools of Thread (African / Kwanzaa)
by Angela Shelf Medearis

When they are given the seemingly impossible task of turning thread into gold, the seven Ashanti brothers put aside their differences, learn to get along, and embody the principles of Kwanzaa.

Trees of the Dancing Goats (Russian American / Hanukkah)
by Patricia Polacco

Trisha loves the eight days of Hanukkah, when her mother stays home from work, her Babushka makes delicious potato latkes, and her Grampa carves wonderful animals out of wood as gifts for Trisha and her brother. But one Christmas, Trisha and her family help make the holidays special for their neighbors who are bedridden with scarlet fever. (Based on a true story

What's Cooking, Jamela? (South African / Christmas)
by Niki Daly

When Mrs. Zibi arrives to prepare the Christmas meal, Jamela decides to save Christmas, her chicken, from going into the cooking pot. She sets off with the chicken in her arms . . . and a trail of chaos follows. Suddenly it's Jamela, not the chicken, who is in hot water. But, as Jamela proclaims on Christmas's behalf, "You can't eat friends!"

Wood-Hoopoe Willie (African American / Kwanzaa)
by Virginia Kroll

Willie makes music every chance he gets. He will use anything to create the sounds of the rhythms he feels inside him. Willie dreams of playing the African instruments of his ancestors that his Grandpa describes. The Kwanzaa festival and the encouragement of his Grandpa provide the chance for Willie to live out his dreams.

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