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.

Rotating Library Selections for Thanksgiving in 2015

Here are nine great book additions for your Thanksgiving rotating library...

P is for Pilgrim by Carol Crane. A whole alphabet long history of our Thanksgiving holiday, beginning with the pilgrims, and the developed holiday traditions through the years since then.

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. The true story and history behind the helium balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and their creator, marionette artist Anthony "Tony" Sarg. Not only is it a charming Thanksgiving book, but it also would be a great addition to your S.T.E.A.M. book selections. 

The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz. A hilarious, short story of a pumpkin who gets looked over at the patch for Halloween jack-o-lantern carving... only to discover that he's not a pumpkin at all... but I'm not about to give away any spoilers here!

Milly and The Macy's Parade by Shana Corey. The story of the beginning of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as proposed by immigrant families, but told through the eyes of a little Polish girl, Milly.

The Adventurous Life of Myles Standish by Cheryl Harness. Middle school students will learn just how difficult the voyage and settling of America was for the pilgrims. And there are run-ins with pirates along the way.

Sarah Gives Thanks by Mike Allegra. How did Thanksgiving come to be a national holiday in American? This book shares that story and the woman, Sarah Josepha Hale--an advocate for education for women and influential writer, behind it.

Squanto and The Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas. The true--and quite adventurous--story of Squanto and how he lent more than just a helping hand to the Pilgrims.

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey. A goofy spin-off  of Clement's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Thanksgiving style. Giggles are sure to be shared with little ones with the reading of this book.

A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman. In this rhyming tale, children hear the story of a small town who hatch a sneaky plan to catch themselves a turkey, but turkeys may just be more clever than we give them credit for.

2014 Favorite Books for The Classroom

The following selections by Natalie from 2014

Hi-Koo: A Year of Season, by Jon J. Muth
Introduce kiddos to Haiku poetry through this collection. The poems are told through the eyes of the main character, a Panda named Koo, and of his daily adventures throughout the seasons of the year. Small children and parents will find the poems and illustrations charming, and educators will love using it in their poetry lessons in class.

Animalium (Welcome to the Museum) by Jenny Broom

This book gives kids a ticket to an intricate museum tour of the animal kingdom in great detail. The illustrations themselves are beautiful and have that old Audubone feel to them. Each page is formatted to look like a gallery wall, and will fascinate animal lovers big and small.

A Home for Mr. Emerson, by Barbara Kerley 

This mini biography teaches students about Ralph Waldo Emerson's life, accomplishments, passions, and works. The book has weaved throughout it pieces and bits of Emerson's own writing as well. A nice addition to a child's library on historical figures, aimed at ages 8-12. I personally love how the authors introduce kids to some big life lessons and values (such as hospitality, friendship, life-long-learning) that we as teachers and parents can expand upon with our children with the added activities in the back. 

The Madeline Treasury: The Original Stories, by Ludwig Bemelmans

I grew up to the rhymes of the "12 little girls who lived in the house covered in vines... the smallest was Madeline." The stories of the little, French adventurer have become classics, and this year Scholastic has compiled the originals in this beautiful collection to be enjoyed for generations to come for the first time.

President Taft is Stuck in The Bath, by Mac Barnette

This hilarious picture book brings to life the story of the time President Taft got stuck in the White House bathtub, leading to a specially made tub for the heavy-set man. Its become a legend as differing accounts tell the story differently, but regardless, this book will have students giggling.

The Book with No Pictures, by B. J. Novak

I love how The Book with No Pictures can be a spring board to introduce children to the joy in reading without pictures; an excellent transition into chapter books from picture books. The book is hilarious and should only be read with great animation to hook in your little readers, as author B. J. Novak does so in this video here.

Kid Sheriff and The Terrible Toad, by Bob Shea
This slap-happy western is for the readers who enjoy a classic fighting off crime and saving the day story. Make sure to read in your best cowboy or cowgirl tone!

Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes, by Nicola Davies

Readers explore the tiniest of creatures and their important roles in our ecosystems through this new non-fiction book. The author does a great job at presenting the topic in a lively, engaging way to readers that other texts do do dryly. A must-have science resource for both the classroom and the home.

The Grimm Conclusion, by Adam Gidwitz

Adam Gidwitz re-teaches us that "once upon a time... fairy tales were awesome." And they were weird. Really weird. Gidwitz concluding book in his Grimm trilogy delivers humor and adventure; the perfect fractured fairy tale series for the older elementary readers.

Poor Doreen: A Fishy Tale, by Sally Lloyd Jones

The youngest of readers will be delighted by this tale of Doreen who swims to visit her cousins, but unfortunately bad luck keeps getting in the way. Doreen learns an important lesson about persevering with a positive attitude in the end. For first-time readers there are letters hidden in the illustrations as well to be found in a game of "I Spy."

This is The World: A Global Treasury, by Miroslav Sasek

Journey through the famous cities of the world like Sydney, London, and Hong Kong through Sasek's treasury. A travelouge that will get kids excited about geography, culture, and adventures.

Rutherford B. Hayes: Who Was He? : Poems About Our Presidents, by Marilyn Singer

A poem for each American President and their passion. This one is for both the history and poetry lover. The book is filled with wit, rich illustrations, and a great way to learn about the nation's leaders. At the end of the book there's a brief paragraph dedicated to each man's accomplishments while in the White House, an illustrated timeline, and further resources for parents and teachers. 

Snow-Flakes

Snow-Flakes

by Mattie Bell

Are the snow-flakes pearly flowers

That in the skies have birth,

And gently fall in gleaming showers

Upon this barren earth?

Or, are they fleecy locks of wool,

From sheep that wander by

The silver streams, that, singing, roll

Through valleys in the sky?

Or, are they downy feathers, cast

By little birds above,

And hurried earthward by the blast,

Bright messengers of love?

No, they are pearly blossoms, flung

From heaven's airy bowers,

To recompense us for the loss

Of summer's blooming flowers.

The Butterfly

The Butterfly

author unknown

"Don't kill me," caterpillar said,

As Clara raised her heel,

Upon the humble worm to tread,

As though it could not feel.

"Don't kill me- I will crawl away,

And hide me from your site,

And when I come, some other day,

You'll view me with delight."

The caterpillar went and hid

In some dark, quiet place,

Where none could look on what he did,

To change his form and face.

And then, one day, as Clara read

Within a shady nook,

A butterfly, superbly dressed,

Alighted on her book.

His shining wings were dotted o'er

With gold, and blue, and green,

And Clara owned she naught before

So beautiful had seen.

The Shadow

The Shadow

by Peter Parley

One sunny day a child went Maying-

When lo, while 'mid the zephyrs playing,

He saw his shadow at his back!

He turned and fled, but on his track

The seeming goblin came apace,

And step for step gave deadly chase!

Weary at last, with desperate might

The urchin paused and faced the fright,

When lo, the demon, thin and gray,

Faded amid the grass away!

'Tis thus in life-when shadows chase,

If we but meet them face to face,

What seemed a fiend in fear arrayed,

Sinks at our feet a harmless shade.

Babies Afraid of Their Shadows:

• Compilation
• Toddler scared of her shadow
• Baby scared of his shadow

Tear & Assemble A Simple Valentine Wreath

My daughter decided to make a rag wreath for her classroom from strips of fabric, a wire frame, and a bit of prefab trim. You may choose tear your fabric pieces randomly or in more uniform sizes. Cut each strip in approximately six inch pieces. Tie and knot these around your form adding more for a thick looking wreath or less for something simpler. 

The wreath is trimmed with one heart made from galvanized metal and wood.

The fabric selection up close. Natalie chose red patterns
and white solids for her version of this easy wreath craft.
Her younger sister made a lovely bauble ornament wreath
for our home a few years ago; you can see it here.

Here is the wreath being made by Someday Mama.

You can click directly on the video to visit her

YouTube channel and see more simple, elegant DIY.

Mother Goose Auto Parade - mini book

Paper mini book by Harvey Peake, restored by kathy grimm. Front Cover

       This adorable mini book is by Harvey Peake. It comes with rhymes and illustrations of automobiles only found in the imagination of a child. Assemble it as a mini book or cut the patterns out and pin them into a boarder in your classroom. Either way, little ones are sure to enjoy coloring them in and learning their nursery rhymes.

Goosey, goosey gander
Whither do you wander?
Of your winged motor car
Are you growing fonder?

A frog he would a-wooing go
In a very stylish way,
So he bought a frogmobile, you know,
And the lady frog said "Yea!"

Jack be nimble!
Jack be quick!
Jack, jump over the candlestick!
Jack jumped when something
struck his wheel,
For his candlestick
was an automo-
bile!

The Man in the Moon,
Come down too soon,
And asked his way to Norwich.
In his crescent machine,
Made of cheese so green,
He drove off after his porridge.

Little Bo Peep had lost her sheep,
And didn't know where to find them;
But she turned them all to automobiles,
And now she rides behind them.

"Will you come into my auto?"
Said the spider to the fly.
"There is room in my Web-tonneau
And I'll join you by and by."

There was an old woman
Who lived in a shoe,
She had so many children
She didn't know what to do.
But she mounted the shoe
On a big motor car,
And now there is room
For them all without jar.

Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,
Had a wife and couldn't keep her;
He made a car of the pumpkin shess,
And there he kept her very well.

There was an old woman lived under a hill
On auto'bile wheels that wouldn't stand still.
So she drove around selling her cranberry pies,-
And she's the old woman who never told lies.

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?''
"Oh, now that I have a car," she said,
"It grows twice as fast, you know."

Mother Hubbard's Dog

"I'm Old Mother Hubbard's Dog, you know,
That's why I'm dressed in style."

MOTHER HUBBARD'S DOG

SAID Tilly and Tim, "We'll speak to him now,
And hear what he has to say."
To the well-dressed dog they made a bow,
And said, in their pleasantest way:
" Doggy, pray how do you do ?
Grant us an interview;
We' re going the rounds
Of these wide-spreading grounds,
And we want to begin with you."

The dog arose, and, bowing low,
Said with a cordial smile,
"I'm Old Mother Hubbard's dog, you know,
That's why I 'm dressed in style."
"Oho!" said Tilly and Tim,
Greatly admiring him,
" Pray tell how you came
To live with the dame, -
Was it a frivolous whim?"

"Well," said the dog, "'twas thus, you see;
When I was a tiny pup,
Somehow it always seemed to me
I 'd be famous when I grew up.
In the dog-days I was born,
When the dog-star shone in the morn;
And what do you s'pose?
A little dog-rose
Did always my collar adorn.

"I lived in a dog-wood, dark and drear,
Where nothing to eat I spied
But a dog-berry now and then, or I fear
I frequently might have died.
When one fine day, by chance,
I saw Mother Hubbard advance.
To her then I ran,
And quickly began
To turn somersaults and dance.

"'Oho,' said the dear old dame, said she,

 'A dog like you, I think,
I 'd like to adopt to live with me.'
Said I as quick as a wink: 

'Oh, Mother Hubbard, pray do
Take me to live with you;
You'll certainly find
I 'm gentle and kind,
Faithful and honest and true.'

" 'To that,' said the old dame, 'I agree.'
She adopted me then and there,
And for many years she gave to me
The best and kindest care.
She bought me fruit and bread,
She bought me this jacket red;
She was satisfied,
And filled with pride
If I danced or stood on my head.

" She was always giving me beautiful things,
And buying me this and that;
She loaded me with dog-watches and rings,
And bought me a feathered hat.
She bought me fine stockings and
shoes,
And neckties of various hues;
She bought me a wig
If I danced her a jig,
Which of course I would never refuse.

" But, alas and alack, it happened one day,
In spite of her thoughtful care,
That somebody stole all her food away
And left her cupboard bare ;
And rather than face the dame
Saddened with grief and shame,
The ocean I crossed,
Not a moment I lost,
But to Mother Goose I came.

"Cordially Mother Goose welcomed me,
And said, 'How do you do ?
I 'm sure in my spacious menagerie
I can find room for you'
So I stayed here, you see,
And I 'm happy as I can be;
For I'll be bound
That here I have found
The very best place for me.

" Of course I 've made in this good home
Many and excellent friends;
No more abroad I care to roam,
And so, - my story ends."
" But tell us," said Tilly and Tim,
As they narrowly looked at him,
" Why weren't you lost
When the ocean you crossed?
Are you a sea-dog? Can you swim? "

" Well," said the dog, " I came in a craft
That has never been seen by men.
It wasn't a steamer, a barge, or a raft."
Said Tilly and Tim,  "What, then?"
Said the dog, " I'll confide to you, -
A canoe brought me here to the Zoo."
"Birchbark? " they cried.
" No," he replied,
"I came in a dog-bark canoe"

Tim and Tilly

"Good-morning," said she, "children dear;"
"Good-day," said they, politely. 

TIM AND TILLY

TWO little children, once there were,
Whose names were Tim and Tilly.
His skin was brown and rosy; her
Fair face was like a lily.
And they were just as good as gold,
And always did as they were told.
Their pretty ways
Deserve much praise,
Dear little Tim and Tilly.

One summer morning, hand in hand
Along the roadside walking,
Tilly and Tim went singing, and
Occasionally talking,
When, being tired, they thought it best
Upon a stone to sit and rest.
To them there came
An aged Dame
Along the roadside walking.

"Good-morning," said she, "children dear;"
"Good-day," said they, politely.
Her dress was just a trifle queer,
Though not at all unsightly.
She wore a quilted petticoat,
A cap with buckles at the throat,
A peaked hat,
With brim quite flat,
But not at all unsightly.

"Perhaps, my dears, you don't know me;"
"No, ma'am," they answered, smiling.
"Why, I am Mother Goose," said she
(Her manner was beguiling).
"I'm on a journey to my Zoo,
I'm sure that it would interest you,
And if you 'd care
To visit there - "
"Yes, ma'am!" they answered, smiling.

"Jump on my broomstick, then," she cried,
"Dear little Tim and Tilly,
'Twill be a long and rapid ride,
I hope you won't be chilly."
They took their places nothing loth,
She wrapped her cloak about them both;
With wild delight
They held on tight
And were not even chilly.

After they'd gone a mile or three,
They reached their destination;
And Mother Goose said pleasantly,
"Welcome to my plantation."
Then every kind of sound was heard,
The purr of cat and song of bird,
The bark of dog
And croak of frog,
Around the whole plantation.

Joyfully Tim and Tilly spied
Animals of all ages;
Some walking with a stately stride,
And some shut up in cages.
In kennels, stables, stalls, and pens,
In coops and holes and caves and dens,
In ponds and brooks,
In nests and nooks,
Were creatures of all ages.

Now Tilly, as I must admit,
Was just a trifle fearful;
But Tim said, "I don't mind a bit,
They 're all so kind and cheerful."
And this was true. You never saw
Animals that inspired less awe;
Even the Bears
Sat in their lairs
With aspect kind and cheerful.

"Dear Mother Goose," then Tilly said,
" May we not interview them?
That dog, and lamb, and robin red,
I feel as if I knew them!"
Said Mother Goose, "No doubt you do;
I rather think they know you, too.
Just try and see
How glad they '11 be
To have you interview them."

So Tim and Tilly, hand in hand,
Into the Zoo went bravely;
They met a dog who nodded, and
Regarded them quite gravely.
A handsome dog, and so well-bred,
With big brown eyes and noble head.
Upon a mat
He calmly sat,
Regarding them quite gravely.

"I think, dear," Tilly said to Tim,
" We'll interview this fellow;
Somehow I like the looks of him
With his gay coat of yellow."
"All right," said Tim, " let's have a chat
With Mr. Dog upon his mat ;
We'll draw him out
And I've no doubt,
He'll prove a merry fellow."

Interview with Mother Hubbard's Dog

United States Road Sign Graphics

       Print and cut out sheets of signs for road rugs. Glue a toothpick to the back of each sign and stick the lower end into a piece of clay so that the sign can stand on it’s own. Click on each sheet to download the largest size. There are more types at Wikipedia. I've included here the most common ones together in a collection in order to make printing them simpler.

       In the United States, road signs are, for the most part, standardized by federal regulations, most notably in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and its companion volume the Standard Highway Signs (SHS). There are no plans for adopting the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals standards. Read more...

1rst sheet of U. S. street signs.

2nd sheet of U. S. street signs.

3rd sheet of U. S. street signs.

NHTSA campaigns for child safety materials

       The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, pronounced "NITS-uh") is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation. It describes its mission as "Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes."

       As part of its activities, NHTSA is charged with writing and enforcing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as well as regulations for motor vehicle theft resistance and fuel economy, as part of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) system. NHTSA also licenses vehicle manufacturers and importers, allows or blocks the import of vehicles and safety-regulated vehicle parts, administers the vehicle identification number (VIN) system, develops the anthropomorphic dummies used in safety testing, as well as the test protocols themselves, and provides vehicle insurance cost information. The agency has asserted preemptive regulatory authority over greenhouse gas emissions, but this has been disputed by such state regulatory agencies as the California Air Resources Board.

       Another of NHTSA's major activities is the creation and maintenance of the data files maintained by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. In particular, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), has become a resource for traffic safety research not only in the United States, but throughout the world. Research contributions using FARS by researchers from many countries appear in many non-U.S. technical publications, and provide a significant database and knowledge bank on the subject. Even with this database, conclusive analysis of crash causes often remains difficult and controversial, with experts debating the veracity and statistical validity of results.

• National Highway Traffic Safety Adminitration official website
• 49 CFR Chapter V (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the Federal Register
• safercar.gov for official ratings, tips, and recalls
• Regulations regarding vehicle importation into the U.S.
• UNECE vehicle safety regulations
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at the Wayback Machine (archived January 16, 2000)
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at the Wayback Machine (archived November 12, 1996)

The Safety Dummies from the 1990's

       The following resources were produced for the 1991 awareness campaign for seat buckle safety by the United States NHTSA. Teachers may download and print the materials to use for lesson planning in their classrooms only.

Vince and Larry say: "Buckle up, someone cares." coloring page.

Buckle Up Helper Award from the NHTSA.

1991 Safety Seat Checklist.