For anyone running behind this holiday season, below you’ll find lots of book suggestions for the kids in your life. Take a look for yourself!
Books to borrow
The following books are available at many public libraries.
“The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch, Candlewick Press, 36 pages
Read aloud: age 5 and older.
Read yourself: age 8 and older.
The children in the village called him Mr. Gloomy, but his name was really Jonathan Toomey. The fact was, Mr. Toomey was a miserable man who kept to himself. He had come to live in the village after his wife and baby had died. A magnificent woodcarver by talent and trade, it was the only good thing people could say about the man anymore.
Newcomers to town themselves, the widow McDowel and her son Thomas came to Mr. Toomey’s door one snowy day in early December. The widow asked Mr. Toomey if he would carve a new crèche for her for Christmas. Theirs had been lost during their move, and it was terribly important for them to have the crèche by Christmas.
Mr. Toomey took the job, but with no guarantee on when it would be complete. It would be done when it was done, and he was not a man who believed in miracles. But of all the miracles of that Christmas season, none was so grand for Jonathan Toomey as the happy hours he passed carving those figures with Thomas by his side.
A beautifully written and illustrated story that will touch the hearts of readers everywhere, “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” will long be remembered.
“An Otis Christmas” written and illustrated by Loren Long, Philomel, 40 pages, $ 17.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 4 and older.
Read yourself: age 7 – 8.
The little tractor named Otis lived on a farm. It was Christmas Eve, snow was everywhere, and the people and animals were busy with holiday preparations.
Late that night, Otis heard anxious voices in the barn — the horse that was about to give birth was in distress.
Then Otis heard the farmer say, “We need Doc Baker out here tonight or we’ll lose ‘em both.”
The pick-up truck couldn’t get through the heavy snow, and Otis knew what he had to do.
“With snow up to his chin, Otis headed out into the cold night to get Doc.” Could he make it?
Would there be a Christmas miracle at the farm?
Charming and full of the warmth and love of friends and family, this choice is lovely for sharing.
Librarian’s choice
Library: Boyertown Community Library, 29 E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown
Library director: Denise Pulgino Stout
Assistant director: Sami Jo Trout
Youth services coordinator: Sorcha Smith
Choices this week: “Snowmen All Year Long” by Caralyn Buehner; “Turtle in Paradise” by Jennifer L. Holm; “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli
Books to buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“Anonymoose” written and illustrated by Shawna J.C. Tenney, Beaming Books, 2024, 32 pages, $18.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 4 – 7.
Read yourself: age 6 – 7.
Ana Moose preferred to blend in, not to have to communicate, cooperate or participate. In short, Ana Moose was very shy and liked to be Anonymoose.
While Anonymoose liked living this way, she sometimes felt something was missing. When Anonymoose saw her classmate, Peter, building a fort, she couldn’t stop watching Peter’s progress. She even went as far as to make suggestions for the fort on pieces of paper, but never in person; she wasn’t brave enough for that.
But when something terrible happened to Peter’s fort, she knew she had to do something to help. Would she be able to find the courage to no longer be a bystander and maybe even make a friend?
Charming in every way, “Anonymoose” addresses being shy and coming out of that shell in a very positive, fun way.
Clik here to view.
“Walkin’ the Dog” by Chris Lynch, Smon & Schuster, 2024, 232 pages, $17.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 8 – 12.
Read yourself: age 8 – 12.
Thirteen-year-old Louis has been homeschooled for years and is used to being on his own. That will change in the fall when he enters public high school, and Louis is concerned about blending in with the other students and staying under the radar as best as he can. Louis went to preschool and early public primary school, and he had friends then, but now it’s a different story.
When a neighbor asks Louis to take care of his stinky dog during the day while he is at work, Louis reluctantly agrees. Before long, Louis finds himself walking many dogs in the neighborhood and has a brisk business.
Along the way, Louis makes several new friends, both human and canine. But it isn’t until one of his friends really needs his help that presents Louis with a choice — continue to be a bystander or step up to the plate and help his friend.
Colorful, memorable characters with real life ups and downs, this memorable, witty novel offers important life lessons we learn from humans and dogs alike.
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at kendal.rautzhan27@gmail.com.