Season's Readings

 

So, I have a bit of a reputation for being a Grinch, and I am not going to deny that there may be some truth in this assessment. However, I do feel the need to defend my self. My heart is not two sizes too small, as one of my coworkers joked just last week. I do enjoy the holiday season: the snow, the decorations, the gifts, the food, even the music (at least some of it in moderation) etc. What makes me want to retreat to a hobbit hole is the excess and over the top extravagance that seems to grow bigger and last longer every year. As Alfred, the wise beyond his years janitor from Macy's, says: "Yeah, there's a lot of bad 'isms' floatin' around this world, but one of the worst is commercialism." I don't know if commercialism is actually the worst "ism", but it does suck the joy out of the holiday season.

I know that I started this post like a greasy black banana peel, so I'm going to move on to something that does fill me with holiday delight: Christmas books! After all, I am a mom and a children's librarian and nothing makes me happier than reading books to kids.

The first book that I am going to write about is actually better known as a movie, and it is in fact one of my all time favorite holiday films. You may be aware that I have an infatuation with anything and everything Jim Henson.

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is a less well-know work by Jim Henson, but is enchanting with humor, memorable music, and just the right amount of schmaltz. Even if you are familiar with the Henson version of Emmet Otter you probably do not know that the movie was adapted from an adorable picture book written by Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban that was published in 1971. I actually read this book and watch the movie with my kids every December and I love them both. I will say that Henson's adaptation has a bit of an edge over the book because you get to hear the fantastic music composed by Paul Williams. Music is still an important element of the book, but the jug-band tunes, and Marilyn Sokol singing Our World and Wheren the River Meets the Sea make the movie unforgettable.

The story is a sweet twist on The Gift of a Magi with the widowed Mrs. Otter and her son, Emmet, sacrificing prized possessions in order to give the other the perfect Christmas present. The Muppet version stays very true to the story written by Russel Hoban and and it is impossible to not fall in love with Lillian Hoban's charming denizens of Frogtown Hollow. There is even a second book set in Frogtown Hollow about one Emmet's jugband friends, Harvey Muskrat.
    If the style of Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas and Harvey's Hideout look familiar, you have probably seen some of the other books created by the husband and wife team. The Frances series being the most well known. Although, the first Frances book, Bedtime for Frances, was illustrated by Garth Williams (illustrator of the Little House series) the remaining five books were illustrated by Lillian Hoban. After their divorce, Lillian Hoban went on to write and illustrate the Arthur easy reader series (Arthur the chimpanzee, not the aarvark), the Silly Tilly Mole series, and several other books for children. Russel Hoban switched to writing science fiction and fantasy for adults.

When it comes to reading picture books for storytime or to my own kids I have always preferred stories with humor. Two books that are always a big hit with the younger kiddos are Santa's Stuck by Rhonda Gowler Greene and Who Will Guide My Sleigh Tonight? Both books are silly with fun and colorful illustrations. You can probably guess the plot of each story from it's title and cover. Suffice it to say, little ones are sure to giggle as a family dog, the cat and all of her kittens, the reindeer, and even a mouse have to pull Santa out of the chimney when he eats too many cookies. Also, who doesn't want to imagine Santa trying to deliver toys around the world with a sleigh pulled by tigers, kangaroos, or even snakes.

For older kids, I absolutely adore the Pig the Pug books by Aaron Blabey.  I know that I have mentioned Blabey before, but he is also the author of the Bad Guys series which was recently made into a movie.

It is the most wonderful time of the year and of course to Pig the Pug that means presents and MORE PRESENTS. If you have read any of the other Pig the Pug books, you will not be surprised when Pig's greed lands him in a dangerous and rather painful predicament. As usual, Pig should heed the advice of Trevor, who wisely goes to sleep on Christmas Eve, happy to open whatever Santa brings. Pig's over the top and ridiculous behavior (he actually bites Santa on the bum) will have kids giggling and, perhaps, checking their own attitudes at Christmas time.

Another wonderful book about appreciating family and love during the holiday season  (that is a bit more serious than Pig the Elf) is The Broken Ornament by Tony DiTerlizzi. If you are a fantasy lover, you may recognize DiTerlizzi as the artist of The Spiderwick Chronicles (please, do not watch the movie, it is just bad) and the author and artist of The Search for Wondla series. DiTerlizzi is also incredibly well-known among nerds like me for his Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: the Gathering artwork. He also illustrated an absolutely gorgeous version of the 1930s poem by Mary Howitt, The Spider and the Fly. I digress, The Broken Ornament is about a young boy who is very excited to decorate for Christmas and his enthusiasm breaks an old ornament belonging to his mother. Not really understanding why his mother is upset, the boy just wants everything to be bigger, brighter, more sparkly. Suddenly, a fairy appears that is willing to grant his wish for the best Christmas ever, which has bigger trees, more snow, brighter lights, etc. When the fairy shows Jack why the broken ornament was so important to his mother, though, he realizes that the best Christmas is not about the having the most or shiniest of anything. As parents, I think we all strive to give our kids memories that they will cherish long past childhood and that is really what this story is about. Learning that the best memories are not about stuff, but about spending time with those we love. If you fall in love with this book, be sure to check out Diterlizzi's website where he has ornaments that you can print and cut out. There are also activities, wallpapers, and oodles of other goodies about his books and art. 

Before , I finish I want to mention a couple of fantastic Christmas chapter books that are perfect for reading aloud together. You may have heard of A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig since it was made into a Netflix movie a year or two ago. I actually have not watched the film adaptation so I cannot tell you whether that is any good, but the book is adorable. I read this aloud to my then five-year-old and he was completely enthralled in young Nikolas's journey to the North Pole to rescue his father. Luckily, Haig has written a few more wonderful stories about Santa Claus and Christmas to keep us entertained for a few years to come.  Haig's writing is charming and witty, like a wonderful cross between Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl. Chris Mould's intricate illustrations make the books even more enchanting.

The last book I am going to recommend is a Christmas mystery/ghost story that will appeal to kids and adults. Part of what makes Greenglass House by Kate Milford so wonderful is a setting that could be straight from an Agatha Christie novel. The ramshackle inn high up above the smuggler's town of Nagspeake that requires a cable car to reach. Snowbound during the Christmas break with a number of quirky and mysterious guests, it is up to Milo to discover everyone's secrets.  This is the perfect book to snuggle under a blanket and read next to a cozy fire. 

If you celebrate Christmas and have little ones (and not so little ones) to read with this December, I hope that I have given you some fun books to read together. 

Happy Holidays!