The holiday edit
The Holiday Bookshelf. Pajamas Encouraged.
A few books to bring out each season. The tradition is the reading, not buying an entirely new shelf.
01 / The useful details
Halloween: a little spooky, a lot of company.
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, is a cheerful starting point for a seasonal read-aloud.
- Borrow before buying if you are discovering what your child enjoys.
- Let the child choose the repeat read. Familiarity is part of the pleasure.
02 / The useful details
Thanksgiving: gratitude without a performance.
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman, makes a lovely invitation to talk about sharing and friendship.
- Ask one small question: who made your day better?
- A child can answer with a drawing. No speech required.
03 / The useful details
Christmas: make room for the tree book.
Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis, belongs near the decorating basket. For a longer read, try The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney.
- Read one before decorating and one during a quieter evening.
- Choose a time before everyone is overtired. Bedtime has enough responsibilities.
04 / The useful details
The little holidays deserve a little shelf.
The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer; Love from the Crayons; St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons; and Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney offer starting points across the year.
- Match the book to your child’s attention span and interests, rather than treating a list as homework.
- Check a library copy or publisher preview to decide whether the reading level suits your family.
05 / The useful details
Summer: one book, then outside.
Corduroy’s Fourth of July, created by Don Freeman and illustrated by Lisa McCue, gives the summer basket a seasonal addition.
- Keep the seasonal selection small enough that it actually gets read.
- Store favorites with the decorations, then let their return become part of the anticipation.