Holiday gift guide: Children’s books

Get into The Spirit of Christmas (32 pages, Feiwel and Friends, $16.99, 32 pages). Author/illustrator Nancy Tillman tells her lyrical story using the cadence of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

When the spirit of Christmas "comes through the door and brings sweeping changes throughout the house," one is reminded of all the trimmings of the holiday. Yet the text's central character still finds something missing. Tillman's illustrates the reading in unique ways. Oversize illustrations, imbedded song lines and dramatic use of color flood the senses. It is a surprising pairing for the words, but quite effective. What a special story for this Christmas and many to come. (ages 4 and up)

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The Twelve Days of Christmas in Virginia (32 pages, Sterling, $12.95) is one in a series of books being written about the 50 states. The text parallels the format of the traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas" song.

During a holiday visit to Virginia, a brother writes daily letters to his sister. He also sends home gifts, and many are quite difficult to package. These tie into Virginia history, its habitats, native plants and animals. The arrival of 12 plovers (birds native to Virginia) would surely be a sight to behold.

Author Sue Corbett and illustrator Henry Cole take advantage of being Virginia natives and fill readers in on "all the good stuff," and the book is both engaging and informative for all. (ages 6-10)

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Those with the wee hands will shout, A Chanukah Present For: ME! (written by Lily Karr, illustrated by Jill McDonald, 15 pages, Scholastic, $6.99). This heavy-cardboard, basic-concept book is filled with labeled illustrations to help the youngest listener understand the holiday. The inner book is "wrapped" in a sturdy outside flap cover illustrated with holiday wrapping paper and ribbon. (ages 2-5)

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Author Dimitrea Tokunbo makes it possible for young readers to understand Kwanzaa. The repetitive beginning and end to each page will give readers a foothold of confidence needed to grasp each new principle featured. These are represented carefully and simply, but not overly so. The Sound of Kwanzaa (26 pages, Scholastic, $16.99, 26 pages) is an appropriate title because Tokunbo gives Kwanzaa voice to those who may not have understood it previously.

Vibrant illustrations by Lisa Cohen depict the color and clarity of the celebration. The author's note following the text should be read before sharing this with a child, as it has a pronunciation key for each principle. (ages 4-9)

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Told from the perspective of those located among the tapestry of Christ's birth, The Twelve Prayers of Christmas (written by Candy Chand, illustrated by James Bernardin, 25 pages, Harper, $16.99) is a collection of 12 poems. One is titled "The Star," and another is titled "Mary." Each is a gentle verse that appears to have been written by a title "character." Read this for a somber, thoughtful experience. (ages 8 and up)

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For just plain fun, try Hoppy Hanukkah (24 pages, Albert Whitman & Company, $15.99). It features a rabbit family with two young bunnies just learning Hanukkah traditions. Author Linda Glaser demonstrates these in an engaging way as readers feel they participate along with young Violet and Simon. Daniel Howarth's bright, fanciful and slightly cartoonish illustrations are the perfect complement to the text. They help set the frolicking, excited mood that lasts from front cover to end-flap. (ages 4-8)

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The love of family is apparent throughout A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas (32 pages, Clarion, $16). Illustrator Mangaly Morales' medium is acrylic paint in vibrant colors. She effectively uses light and shadow to create her magnificently detailed illustrations that capture the celebratory spirit of this 12-day holiday.

Author Pat Mora follows the traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas" song format. Spanish words are used for the number and featured item, such as cuatro luminarias for four lights. A clearly visible pronunciation key is on the page for each of these words, making it reader-friendly for non-Spanish speakers.

Mora has chosen objects of cultural significance, many inspired by Mexican tree ornaments from her own home. This gives readers a glimpse of the Latino culture. "A Pinata in a Pine Tree" is that perfect blend of author and illustrator working in communion with each other for the perfect effect. (ages 4-9)

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Clever design and paper engineering by Richard Jewitt make Secret Santa (12 pages, Sterling, $16.95), a pop-up book, dynamic. Pages unfold in varied ways with height, depth and overall perspective changing to fit the text. Simon Abel's illustrations fit well with Jewitt's concept and delight the eye. The corresponding words add curiosity. Readers see the letters filled with questions to Santa. On the ensuing page is Santa's clever answer . . . along with his message to the reader that it is top secret information -- so . . . shhh! Don't keep quiet about this title. Share. (ages 3-7)

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Renowned author Jan Brett is celebrating 30 years as a children's author/illustrator. This year, she has compiled Jan Brett's Snowy Treasury (130 pages, Putnam, $29.99), which contains four wintry titles: "Gingerbread Baby," "The Mitten," "The Hat" and "The Three Snow Bears" can all be found in this one book. Each is excellent in its own right. Together, they make a magnificent gift. (ages 3-8)

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Penguin's Snowy Day (written and illustrated by Salina Yoon, 10 pages, Price Stern Sloan, $6.99) is a chubby cardboard book that is just right for little hands. The rhyming couplets on each double-page spread will be easily memorized by young "readers" who will enjoy frolicking with the penguins. (ages 2-6)

Sue Harris is a Title I Reading Specialist at North Elementary School in Prince George County. In addition to working with students, she provides staff development in the areas of children's literature and reading.