The Hiawatha Paper Cuts Restored

       Below are the Hiawatha paper cuts restored for those of you who are teaching Native American studies to your little ones, enjoy.

       The Song of Hiawatha is an 1855 epic poem in trochaic tetrameter by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow which features American Indian characters. Read more...

       Read the original poem by Longfellow here.

The wigwam of Nokomis.

Nokomis nursed Hiawatha.

Nokomis bound Hiawatha's cradle with the sinews of the reindeer.

Hush! the Naked Bear will hear thee!

The owls spoke their native language.

The birds hid their nests.

The birds sang to Hiawatha.

The reindeer, Hiawatha talked too.

I am Adjidaumo, the squirrel.

The warriors and the women all praised the hunter.
They called him Strong-Heart, Soan-ge-taha.
They called him Loon-Heart, Mahn-go-tay-see.

Hiawatha is running by the Big-Sea-Water.

25 Days of Christmas Books for Children (and Adults Too!)

 
Countdown your way to Christmas with a stack of these classics and new favorites for both children and adults to share. Chose your top four favorites and read them again before Santa arrives!

1. Christmas at Long Pond by William T. George. A simple, but beautiful story of a father and son who travel to Long Pond to cut down their own Christmas tree.
2. Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry. A rhyming book about a Christmas tree that just too tall... so off with the top! Who will find it next and bring home their own little Christmas decoration to warm their home?
3. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. A boy struggling with his belief in Santa takes one magical train ride through woods and mountains to the North Pole for an unforgettable adventure.
4. The Christmas Tree Ship by Carol Cane. This historical narrative tells the true story of the ship that sailed all around Lake Michigan selling Christmas trees to families during the early 20th century.
5. The Nutcracker as adapted by Janet Schulman. The children's story that inspired one of the most well-known ballets around the world. A story about a young girl who must rescue a prince who's been cursed and turned into a nutcracker.
6. Frosty the Snow Man as adapted by Annie North Bedford. Town children build a snowman one day, who comes to life to have fun and play!
7. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I have such a wonderful memory of reading this in classic in my middle school English class followed by a trip to see the play. Dickens shares the important value of generosity towards those who have less during this season. I love the more recent edition published through Candlewick Press.
8. Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Little ones will enjoy this stand-alone storybook of Laura and her sister's Christmas celebration in the big woods of Wisconsin.
9. Letter From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien. The collected letters author J.R.R. Tolkien wrote and illustrated as Father Christmas to his children sharing about life in the North Pole.
10. The Steadfast Tin Solider by Hans Christen Anderson. The classic tale of a tin toy solider who has to fight many battles to win the love of the nursery toy ballerina. I recommend the version which has the most lovely illustrations by Fred Marcellino.
11. The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket. The most "charming" story about a lump of coal you'll ever find! Snicket's snarky wit and sarcasm bring this tale alive--which is what we love about his writing the best.
12. Santa's Book of Names by David McPhail. A Christmas story of a young boy who has been struggling to learn to read, but with Santa's help and a night out on his sleigh, he will learn that with patience and practice anyone can learn to read.
13. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess. The Grinch--who hates all things Christmas--learns the valuable lesson that Christmas is not about candy canes and presents, but a spirit of joy that cannot be stolen.
14. The Very First Christmas by Paul Maier. The nativity story told with wonderful artwork.
15. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore. The poem read for generations of children tucked in their beds dreaming of sugarplums while Santa leaves sweets and treats downstairs.
16. The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie DePola. DePola brings the old legend of the Poinsettia--a star-shaped flower from Mexico--to life with his award winning storytelling.
17. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Robert May. For over seventy-five years, children have enjoyed the story of the odd-ball, red-nosed reindeer, who helped Santa save Christmas one foggy year.
18. Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh. We all know the tale of Rudolph, but what about when Olive, and adorable dog wants to join Santa's famous reindeer team? Turns out she has some strengths and talents Santa could use to help him with his Christmas even rides.
19. The Twelve Days of Christmas illustrated by Laura Long. Long beautifully brings the famous carol from 1780 to life with her art.
20. Asleep on the Hay: A Dust Bowl Christmas by Ben Sowards. It's the great depression, and food is scarce, but one farm family will open their home to receive another in need.
21. Shooting at the Stars by John Hendrix. The true story of the 1914 Christmas truce between the allies and Germen soldiers.

What I Should Like

What I Should Like.

By Jennie D. Moore.

(Recitation for a little girl.)

On Christmas eve I'd like to lie

Awake, when stars are in the sky,

And listen to the sound that swells

From Santa Claus's jingling Dells.

I'd like to hear upon the roof

The patter of each tiny hoof

Of Santa's reindeer overhead,

When I am snug and warm in bed.

But mamma says I must not lie

Awake, or he will pass me by ;

He does not like the girls or boys

To watch him when he brings the toys.

I think I'd better go to sleep.

I guess the presents all will keep,

Then in the morning I shall be -

Glad to think I did not see.