Find some new holiday season favourites
There truly is no better time to lose yourself in the magic of stories than the holiday season. Whether you are young or old, everyone has a favourite that they read and reread over the years, especially when it comes to picture books.
At our house it is “The Very Best Christmas Present” by Jim Razzi. However, there’s something to be said about new holiday finds as well.
If you want to add some new holiday favourites to your reading list, place a hold on a few of the titles suggested below. You can check the library catalogue for tons more, or drop by the Main Branch, The Crossings Branch and the Bookmobile to browse our holiday book, DVD and CD selections. Often it’s glancing at a colourful illustration or photo on the cover that helps the magic unfold as we read and convince ourselves that dreams might just come true at this time of year.
For young children: “The 12 Engines of Christmas: Sing Along with Thomas and His Friends”; each verse of this story features a different engine for train-loving readers. “A Beary Merry Christmas” by Henri Meunier is a story about Grumpus, a cranky bear, who forgot to hibernate; “Good Night Reindeer,” by Denise Brennan-Nelson, gives readers a personal look at Santa’s reindeer. “Happy Holidays, Blaze!” stars Nickelodeon’s Blaze and the Monster Machines as they save the day with spectacular stunts; and “I Love You Snow Much” by Sandra Magsamen reminds us to cuddle and tell our children we love them “snow much” as often as we can!
For older children and teens: “Tenney, A Song for the Season” by Kellen Hertz finds Tenney and Logan out on tour, and away from home for the holidays. “What Light” by Jay Asher centres around a girl, who is the daughter of Christmas tree farmers and each year she helps her family sell the trees; this year she also finds romance. “The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily” by Rachel Cohn describes the holiday magic of New York City.
For adults: “Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery” by Jenny Colgan not only deals with the commercial pressures of the holidays but also a winter storm; “Merry and Bright” by Debbie Macomber combines the fun of online dating with the socializing aspect of Christmas; “Holly and Ivy” by Fern Michaels features a woman named Ivy and a girl named Holly who want to star in a holiday musical; and “Winter Storms” by Elin Hilderbrand includes a wedding, a reunion and lots of holiday drama.