Must-Read Holiday Books
Posted by Debra Liverman on 11 Dec 2008 | Posted in: Grade 1, Holiday and Seasonal, Kindergarten, Preschool, Student Activities, Teacher's Helper, The Mailbox
Well, I pulled out my favorite holiday read-aloud last night, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. It was the first of many readings to come over the next few weeks. My sons love it just as much as my students always did. When I was teaching fifth grade, one of those students actually bought me the hardcover gift set complete with an audio version and a silver bell. It has gotten more use than any other gift I received as a teacher! So what’s at the top of your holiday reading lists? Do you make read-alouds a part of your seasonal classroom activities? Please share! If Polar Express is one you enjoy with your students, try these FREE ideas after reading the book. I’ve also listed a few of the seasonal books that are featured in the December/January issues of our magazines. See the magazine page listed for ideas to go with each book. Happy holidays!
Snowballs
by Lois Ehlert
Combine a sack of “good stuff” with the perfect snowball day and what do you get? An entire snow family! The unique collage illustrations in this simple story are sure to fascinate your youngsters!
–featured on page 22 of The MAILBOX Preschool
Celebrate Hanukkah With Light, Latkes, and Dreidels
by Deborah Heiligman
Photographs show children from around the world participating in Hanukkah traditions. A recipe, a glossary, and additional information are included at the back of the book.
–featured on page 14 of The MAILBOX BOOKBAG
Snowmen at Night
by Caralyn Buehner
One wintry day, a young child builds a glorious snowman. But the following morning his snowman is droopy and disheveled—which leads him to imagine what snowmen do at night!
–featured on page 28 of The MAILBOX Preschool
The Story of Kwanzaa
by Donna L. Washington
With clear, descriptive language, this nonfiction text traces the history and traditions of Kwanzaa.
–featured on page 16 of The MAILBOX BOOKBAG
Tacky the Penguin
by Helen Lester
Tacky is an odd, unconventional penguin with a group of very dignified friends. Although his outlandish behaviors annoy his companions, they come in handy when his penguin pals are in need of rescue!
–featured on page 29 of The MAILBOX Preschool and on page 13 of The MAILBOX Kindergarten
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
by Dr. Seuss
The Grinch plots to steal Christmas joy from the Whos down in Who-ville. When he learns that Christmas spirit is more than trees and gifts, the Grinch receives the best gift of all.
–featured on page 15 of The MAILBOX BOOKBAG
The First Day of Winter
by Denise Fleming
Forest friends watch a child decorate their snowy pal in this cheerful tale. The repetitive text mimics “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
–featured on page 41 of The MAILBOX Kindergarten and pages 13 of The MAILBOX BOOKBAG
The Mitten
by Jan Brett
Nicki takes his newly knit snow-white mittens with him outside in the snow. After he unknowingly drops one of them, several woodland critters find shelter in it. The border illustrations throughout the delightful tale provide clues to the story as it unfolds.
–featured on page 26 of The MAILBOX Grade 1
The Hat
by Jan Brett
When a curious hedgehog gets a woolen stocking stuck on his spines, he becomes the laughingstock of all the other animals on the farm. But this smart little hedgehog convinces the other animals that they all need similar headwear.
–featured on page 39 of TEACHER’S HELPER Kindergarten
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Try hot chocolate and ’smores’. I took 2 graham crackers, one big marshmallow, and 1 piece of chocolate and melted them on a plate in the microwave for about 15 seconds. They were not too hot nor too gooey.
After 25 years of teaching preschool, I have a new holiday favorite book. It is called Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.
It is about a little mouse that thinks he has found the perfect house for himself only there are statues in each.(Nativity) Each night he drags them out so he can go to sleep in the nice little bed only to find that every day while he is out hunting for food, they move back into the little house. One night he is caught inside the house while people are gathering near the house. They are talking about a baby and no room in the inn. He realized he had taken the babies house and decided to leave only to find a better and more exciting house awaiting him. Get the book to find out about this house!
We have so many wintry favorites! There’s nothing like gathering my preschoolers around on the carpet on a dreary, gray, chilly January day to share some wonderful stories! These are some of my favorites: Imogene’s Antlers, Bear Snores On, The Jacket I Wear in the Snow, Ellie the Evergreen, Caps, Hats, Socks and Mittens, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, Alaska ABC, The Tomten, Winter Rabbit, There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow, Owl Moon, A Silly Snowy Day, The Gift of the Inukshuk, Stranger in the Woods, The Mitten, and The Snowy Day. They always ask for “just one more!!”
We are going to have a “read in” on Friday. We will read, make bookmarks, have a guest reader, drink hot chocolate and ? Does anyone have other ideas that go with literacy for 3 - 6 graders on our last day before break?