Christmas books

Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in Midnight Madness festivities. I spent time at a local bank reading to children. While preparing, I read a lot of Christmas books before I decided on which to use. Of course, I also wanted to read them to my grandson so it certainly was fun. And, I can't read a book without writing a booktalk so there are going to be many on this month's update. Here are several that will be appearing on my page.

Brett, Jan.
WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON CHRISTMAS EVE?
New York : G.P. Putman, 2002.
IL K-3, RL 5.3
ISBN 0399238735
Kyri is not looking forward to that knock on the door on Christmas eve. You see, each year, just as she finishes all the baking, a band of hungry trolls come crashing in and eat all the food. And they break things in the house. This year, Kyri's father has gone to the hilltop to chase the trolls away. But then Kyri hears a knock on the door. It's a very polite knock so Kyri doesn't believe it is the horrible trolls. But, who can it be?

Greene, Rhonda Gowler.
THE STABLE WHERE JESUS WAS BORN
New York : Atneneum Books for Young Readers, 1999.
IL K-3, RL 5.0
ISBN 0689812582
This is the story of the little stable where Jesus was born on that magical day thousands of years ago. This is the story of the animals. And the shepherds. And the angels. And mostly, this is the story of Jesus.

Hooks, William H.
THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS ROSE
New York : HarperCollins, 1999.
IL K-3, RL 5.0
ISBN 0060271035
A long, long time ago, a little girl named Dorothy lived with her parents and brothers. Her brother were much older than she and spent most of their time with the flock of sheep that the family owned. Dorothy loved bringing her brothers food and water while they were out in the fields. When she noticed a group of strangers passing by, she was afraid that they were robbers. But, she learned that a law was passed that all citizens must return to their place of birth to be taxed. So the road was now filled with people heading out. Then one night, her brothers saw an angel and were told of the birth of a king. They set out to see him. Dorothy wanted to go along but knew her brothers would say no. So she secretly followed them. But she had no gift for the newborn king. Do you have any idea of who Dorothy would see when she arrived?

Krensky, Stephen.
HOW SANTA GOT HIS JOB
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1998.
IL K-3, RL 4.5
ISBN 0689806973
Have you ever wondered how Santa became Santa? I mean, was he always Santa or did he have other jobs before becoming Santa? What made him want to become Santa? How did he find out about the job? There are so many questions. This is one explanation that might be How Santa Got His Job.

Mangan, Anne.
THE CHRISTMAS BEAR
New York : Troll, 2003.
IL K-3
ISBN 0816774587
The little white bear waited in the toy shop window for someone to notice him and take him home with them. But no one did. And then the owner of the shop took him out of the window and put him on a tall, tall shelf. Now no one could see him. He became very sad. He really wanted to belong to someone but day after day he sat in the toy shop and no one wanted him. One lady even said he looked like a mistake! Will he ever find a home?

More to come later.