This year, everybody needs a book on their bed
DEAR READERS >> Every year at Christmastime, I prompt readers to put “A Book on Every Bed.”
The idea originally came from historian David McCollough.
On the Christmas mornings of his youth, the very first thing he woke up to was a wrapped book at the base of his bed, left there by Santa.
Working with my literacy partner, Children’s Reading Connection, this campaign has grown to include schools, libraries and bookstores.
I’ve reached out to some of my favorite independent booksellers for their special picks for books for all ages.
Baby and Toddlers: From Brigid Hubberman, Children’s Reading Connection (childrensreadingconnection.org):
“Parents should choose books to surround babies with an abundance of loving and delightful words.”
“Baby Cakes,” by Karma Wilson and Sam Williams
“Haiku Baby,” by Betsy E. Snyder
Ages 3 to 5: From Lisa Swaze, Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca, N.Y. (buffalostreetbooks.com): “If You Come to Earth,” by Sophie Blackall, visually and lyrically beautiful. It will feel like a warm hug to any child who receives it.
Early Readers: From Sandra Dear, owner of The Little Boho Bookshop, in Bayonne, NJ (thelittlebohobookshop.com). “The Suitcase,” by Chris NaylorBallesteros: This beautiful story about immigration is full of heart and humanity as it teaches our littlest ones about hope, tolerance and kindness.
Middle Grade Readers: From Becky Anderson, coowner of Anderson’s Bookshop, in Naperville, Illinois (andersonsbookshop.com). “Ways to Make Sunshine,” by Renee Watson: Watson writes her own version of Ramona Quimby, starring a Black girl and her family, in this start to a charming new middle-grade series about spirit, kindness, and sunshine.
YA readers: Danielle Kreger, Blue Bunny Books, Dedham, Massachusetts. (bluebunnybooks.com): “One of Us is Lying,” by Karen M McManus is an edge-of-your-seat mystery that takes place in Bayview High school during detention. A tale of twists and turns that has the reader questioning the reliability of the characters and the secrets they keep.
Adult Non-fiction, from Alex George, author of The Paris Hours, owner of Skylark Bookshop (skylarkbookshop.com), in Columbia, Missouri: “Wintering,” by Katherine May: This is a deeply personal, quietly beautiful book, offering insight as to how we might think differently about low points in our lives.
Adult Fiction: from Mark LaFramboise of Politics and Prose, in Washington, D.C. (politicsprose.com). “The Butterfly Lampshade,” by Aimee Bender: This is a beautiful story of mental illness, the bonds of sisterhood, and the liveliness of a child’s imagination.
Elders: From Gayle Shanks, Changing Hands 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, is what they needed to seek.