ASK AMY This year, everyone needs a book on the bed
DearReaders: Every year atChristmastime, I prompt readers to put “A Book onEvery Bed.”
The idea originally came fromhistorianDavid McCullough. Onthe Christmas mornings of his youth, the first thing he woke up towas a wrapped book at the base of his bed, left there by Santa.
Working withmy literacy partner, Children’s Reading Connection, this campaign has grown to include schools, libraries and bookstores. This year is different. All of us— not just children— need a good book on our beds.
I’ve reached out to some independent booksellers for their special picks.
Baby andtoddlers: FromBrigidHubberman, Children’sReading Connection (childrens readingconnection.org):
“Parents should choose books to surround babies with an abundance of ... delightfulwords.”
“BabyCakes,” by Karma Wilson and SamWilliams
“HaikuBaby,” byBetsy E. Snyder
Ages 3 to 5: FromLisa Swayze, Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca, NewYork (buffalostreetbooks.com):
“IfYouCometoEarth,” by Sophie Blackall, visually and lyrically beautiful. It will feel like awarmhug to any childwhoreceives it.
“YouMatter,” by ChristianRobinson, is a bright and elegant book that takes children on a journey around theworld.”
Early readers: From SandraDear, owner of
The Little Boho Bookshop, Bayonne, NewJersey (thelittlebohobookshop. com):
“The Suitcase,” by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros: This beautiful story about immigration is full of heart and humanity as it teaches our littlest ones about hope, tolerance and kindness.
“Homein theWoods,” by Eliza Wheeler: This stunningly beautiful picture book is about starting over, and of overcoming!
Middle grade readers: FromBecky Anderson, co-owner of Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, Illinois (andersonsbookshop. com):
“Ways toMake Sunshine,” byRenee Watson: Watson writes her own version of Ramona Quimby, starring aBlack girl and her family, in this start to a charming newmiddle grade series about spirit, kindness, and sunshine.
“The Silver Arrow,” by LevGrossman: Kate’s humdrumlife is transformed when herUncle Herbert brings her a colossal locomotive train, the SilverArrow, leading her and her younger brother on amysterious journey.
YAreaders: From Danielle Kreger, Blue Bunny Books, Dedham, Massachusetts. (blue bunnybooks.com):
“One ofUs isLying,” by KarenMMcManus is an edge-of-your-seatmystery that takes place inBayview High school during detention. Atale of twists and turns that has the reader questioning the reliability of the characters and the secrets they keep.
“NewKid” byJerry Craft: Aspot-on graphic novel. JordanBanks is in seventh grade when he is sent to a rigorous private school and grapples with staying true to himself.
Adult nonfiction: From AlexGeorge, owner of Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, Missouri (skylark bookshop.com):
“Wintering,” by KatherineMay: This is a deeply personal, quietly beautiful book, offering insight as to howwemight think differently about lowpoints in our lives.
“Intimations: Six Essays,” by Zadie Smith: Written during the pandemic, this small but powerful book shows Smith’s talents at their finest.
Adult fiction: From Mark LaFramboise of Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C. (politics-prose. com):
“The ButterflyLampshade,” by Aimee Bender: This is a beautiful story of mental illness, the bonds of sisterhood, and the liveliness of a child’s imagination.
“WhatAreYou Going Through,” by Sigrid
Nunez: The story of a womanwhois asked by an old college acquaintance to be with her whenshe takes her life, after a cancer diagnosis. This book bristles with life.
Elders: FromGayle Shanks, ChangingHands Bookstore, Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona (changinghands.com):
“Apeirogon,” by Colum McCann: Two fathers, one Palestinian and one Israeli, have both lost their young daughters to violence, but have decided that reconciliation, not revenge, iswhat they needed to seek.