For me, December is the time of year when imagination is at it’s best. Adults are imagining the perfect present they would like to give or get. Children are imagining Santa’s journey and the excitement of what may be under the tree. And as the Children’s Manager at Elm Street Books, I of course think that books are the perfect gift to inspire imagination throughout the year!
While everyone knows about “Pat The Bunny”, you may not have known about the velvety soft cloth book that it inspired called “Sleepy Bunny” perfect for newborns or any sweet baby in your life who wants a book to cuddle complete with an attached bunny who is preparing for bedtime.
Learning how to get undressed by yourself can be hard especially when you get stuck while you are taking off your shirt as the boy does in Shinsuke Yoshitake’s hilarious book “Still Stuck.” This is a delightful story with adorable illustrations that can be enjoyed as a read aloud for toddlers and even related to by their older siblings.
If your 5 to 8 year old has read the first in the series, “The Adventure of Henry Whiskers” by local author Gigi Priebe, his second adventure just came out at the end of August. “The Long Way Home” has Henry, the brave little mouse on a new grand adventure. Both books make for a great read aloud. Gigi will be at Elm Street Books during the Holiday Stroll on Friday, December 2nd from 5:00 – 9:00 to autograph her books!
“The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street” is a fabulous debut novel by Karina Yan Glaser. The Vanderbeekers have just been informed that they must be out of their family townhouse just before Christmas by their grumpy landlord, Mr. Beiderman. It’s up to the five Vanderbeeker children to work together to try and save the day! Great for readers from ages 8 to 12, also a great family read aloud.
John Green, beloved author of Young Adults everywhere has a new highly anticipated book out called “Turtles All The Way Down.” A book for the 13 and up crowd, we get inside the head of Aza who despite having an enormous amount of anxiety about virtually all aspects of her life, still tries hard to cope in the best way she can. As always Green provides an insightful glimpse into the mindset of teens with empathy and compassion.
When my now college age boys were younger, every Christmas season, I would buy a new picture book. If you are doing the same, the one I would add to your collection this year is “Red and Lulu” by Matt Tavares. It’s a story told both in words and beautiful illustrations. Red and Lulu are cardinals and best friends. When they become separated, it will take love, determination and the magic of the Christmas season to help them find each other again. Not to be missed, especially if you take your kids to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree!
Elm Street Books is proud to support the efforts of Filling In The Blanks to include a book in a Holiday Back Pack for over 600 children. Please stop by to donate a pre-selected title or to make a cash donation.
Melissa Thorkilsen
Children’s Manager