Perhaps three or so years back (boy how time flies!) my dear friend Caryl and I had a conversation about the idea of giving books as Christmas gifts to our children. Caryl probably devours more books than anyone I know so when she has something to say about books you can believe I pay close attention. Now, giving books as gifts is not necessarily a new idea by any stretch, but Caryl had a twist to add. She proposed not just giving one or two books, but whole stacks of the wonderful things! The gist of the idea is that on Christmas morning there should be a stack of individually wrapped books (About eight of them makes a good stack, each in a different paper to make it pretty) waiting for each child under the tree. These are to be opened after all other gifts, and, if you have kids like ours, the process will be one of anticipation and one to savor. Caryl had originally seen the idea here , and it has been a tradition with both of our families ever since.
I don't really have a lot of rules about what goes into a book stack, but I am always on the look out for high-quality classic (or bound to be classic) books to make up the bulk of the stack. I will also include books that the kids have specifically requested even if they are not on their reading level. For instance, Will continues to love the silly stories of Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant even though he is long beyond them reading-level wise. Our routine is to snuggle on the couch with Will reading to me just like when he first began practicing reading. This alone-time with Will and H&M is such a treat, so I keep adding to his collection. He enjoys the stories and who am I to tell him he shouldn't? I also add things like I-Spy books for fun and some years I have included the first issue of a new magazine subscription.
Always one to get excited about a bargain, I try to keep my book stack expenses down by buying from used books stores , yard sales and the library sales when I can. Our local antique mall usually has a decent selection of reasonably priced hardcovers, too. When it's not possible to find something used, I try to use our local independent book stores. Not that I have anything against Amazon.com (love Amazon) but I like to help out my pocket book when I can, as well as the environment and the small businesses that bravely open their doors against the giant chains.
Aside from Book Stacks for the kids, I try to pick up one or two new Christmas or winter themed books for our Holiday basket. This year there are quite a few, mostly because I stumbled upon them and couldn't resist. These books are the first things out of the Christmas decorations boxes and we all ooh and ahh over these cozy and familiar titles.
And now, without further ado, I present the Christmas 2008 Book Stacks ! I'm pretty sure they're complete, but I reserve the right to add to them at the last moment!
For Ben-
The Hobbit-I have never read The Hobbit. Maybe because it seems like a very "boy" book. Based on what I've been told, I think Ben will love it, and perhaps by reading it he will be that much more well-read than his mother! New, in hardcover.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain-Can't be a child-especially a boy child- and not read Tom Sawyer! Bought this one new in hardcover. It's a classic, ya know.
The Hobbit-I have never read The Hobbit. Maybe because it seems like a very "boy" book. Based on what I've been told, I think Ben will love it, and perhaps by reading it he will be that much more well-read than his mother! New, in hardcover.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain-Can't be a child-especially a boy child- and not read Tom Sawyer! Bought this one new in hardcover. It's a classic, ya know.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret-by Brian Selznick-This was recommended to me after mentioning that Ben adored-and tore through-The Mysterious Benedict Society and it's sequel The Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart. The Invention of Hugo Cabret looks great and fantastic illustrations are used to tell parts of the story. New, in hard cover.
Charlie and The Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl-Ben loved reading Charlie and The Chocolate Factory more than he liked the movie. Hopefully the sequel will be just as interesting to him. This one was purchased from our library sale for .25 cents. Paperback.
The Giver by Lois Lowry- A story of Utopian society...I'm looking forward to discussing this one with Ben. A bargain at 99 cents from the Goodwill. Paperback.
National Geographic Kids Magazine-We have tried a bunch of really beautiful, high quality magazines around here, but Ben likes this one the best. Go figure. It's not my cuppa for various reasons, but he really enjoys it.
For Will
The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright-Elizabeth Enright's Melendy Quartet follows siblings Mona, Rush, Miranda (Randy, for short) and Oliver. First published in 1941, The Saturdays kicks off the series and centers on the foursome's Independent Saturday Afternoon Adventure Club (I.S.A.A.C.), an allowance-endowed venture formed so one lucky Melendy can enjoy a solo sojourn each week. New in paperback.
Half Magic by Edward Eager-Another classic fantasy tale of siblings trying to amuse themselves during a boring summer. Finding a mysterious coin that grants wishes-but only by halves-seems to liven things up a bit, for better or worse! Bought the 5oth anniversary edition new in hardcover. Couldn't help myself.
I Spy Treasure Hunt-Will is my kid who loves doing mazes, word finds and these "seek and find" types of books. We don't own any I-Spy books yet but he is always checking one out of the library. This one was a free book from Scholastic that was sent as a free "consolation" when something else I ordered was on back-order. Hardcover.
The Spiderwick Chronicles ,The Field Guide by Holly Black-The first book in a beautifully produced series of five, The Field Guide sets up the story of the Grace children--13-year-old Mallory and 9-year-old twins Jared and Simon--who with their mother move into the dilapidated Spiderwick Estate only to quickly find themselves sucked into a dark and fascinating world of faeries. Olde Worlde charm. Bought used in hardcover.
Henry and Mudge and Annie's Perfect Pet &
Henry and Mudge and The Wild Goose Chase by Cynthia Rylant-The Henry and Mudge books are sentimental favorites here. Always have to put a couple in the stacks. I picked up these two for .99 cents each at the Goodwill. Paperback. They look brand new!
Snow by Uri Schulevitz-The illustrations in this simple story are hard to beat! Enchanting! All about the wonder of snowfall. New in hardcover.
The Paperboy-A simple story of a boy and his dog up before the sun to deliver his paper route. I had a paper route as a young girl...do kids even do that anymore? Beautiful illustrations. Free book with scholastic bonus points.
For Charlie
Puff The Magic Dragon-This beautifully illustrated book comes with a CD of the song. There is an itty-bitty twist at the end which makes the story turn out happily ever after, rather than with the traditional melancholy feel it is known for.Eric Puybaret, in a brilliant illustrative twist in the land called Honahlee, ensures we are left feeling awfully good about how it all turns out. As Jackie Paper departs, another friend, a little girl, appears, and she and Puff begin the cycle anew. The girl is wide-eyed, Puff is ecstatic to have another playmate, and all is well. New in hardcover.
Ollies Ski Trip by Elsa Beskow-What can you say about Elsa Beskow? So charming and sweet for the kiddos. I have wanted to start collecting her books for awhile now...Charlie is the lucky boy to benefit from this splurge. New in hardcover
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney-This is the 1982 winner of the American Book Award and was the New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year. It is the story of a young girl who vows to travel and see faraway places and to live beside the sea. But there is one more thing she must do, and the book follows her while she travels, grows older and figures out that something which will make the world more beautiful. I have wanted to pick this one up for a long time! New in paperback.
Hedgie Blasts Off by Jan Brett-We are such big fans of Jan Bret around here. It wouldn't be Christmas without a new title from her! This was a freebie with some scholastic bonus points I had socked away from last year. Paperback.
Skippy Jon Jones and the Big Bones by Judy Schachner-Oh. My. Goodness. I have noticed Skippy Jon Jones books displayed at the library before but never bothered to open one up and take a look. Just didn't appeal to me. (Hmm how does that saying about a book and it's cover go?) Well, I have to say this is the silliest thing I have ever seen! I mean really silly. It will be really fun to read aloud as the language has a very tongue-tripping, lilting, rollicking rhythm to it. Looking forward to Charlie's giggles at this one. This was another free book with scholastic bonus points.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol-This edition is illustrated by Helen Oxenbury and is just so sweet to look at! Couldn't resist putting this classic on Charlie's shelf especially since it was only 2.99 used at the Goodwill.
For the Christmas Basket (We'll dig into these before Christmas)
Angela and The Baby Jesus by Frank Mc Court.- Sweet story of the author's mother as a young girl wanting to keep the baby Jesus from the church nativity warm. I got this one free with scholastic bonus points, too. Hardcover.
We Three Kings-by Gennady Spirin-Total impulse buy on this one. The illustrations in this one are lovely. I am a sucker for lovely illustrations. The text is from the Christmas song We Three Kings. $ 2.99 at Goodwill. In Hardcover.
Follow the Star by Rachel W. N. Brown-Again, the story of the wise men and their journey to see the child Jesus, but told from the point of view of the camels. In this book, the Magi arrive at the home of Mary and not a stable, and the Holy Family all have brown skin and dark hair. Thank you Guillano Ferri, for your thoughtful and historically accurate illustrations! Free book from Scholastic.
The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean-Each chapter in this book is a short story explaining one of the symbols of the Jesse tree. Clever tale of an instantly likable little boy and a gruff old woodworker. We'll start reading on the first day of Advent (Nov. 30th this year) and read a chapter each night until Christmas. New in hardcover. I've wanted this one for a long time!
The Nutcracker by Janet Schulman, E. T. A. Hoffman and Renee Graef- A more complete version of Hoffman's The Nutcracker and the King of Mice. Comes with a CD of Tchaikovsky's (Hey, I spelled it right without looking it up!) music and a narrative of the book. From the Goodwill, thank you very much, in hardcover for $2.99.
Well, that's the stacks thus far for this year. All bought and paid for. All that's left is the wrapping!
One last idea before I wrap this post up. As an alternative to buying books for stacks to open on Christmas day, why not start the tradition of wrapping up your existing holiday/winter book collection (or one borrowed from the library) and opening one each day of advent? Kind of like a literary Advent calendar. The kids can pick the package each day and the surprise in finding out which one they're going to get! Count down the day until Christmas with your favorite stories old and new!
Happy reading!
1 comment:
What wonderful book stacks you created for your kiddos! I expect there will be many happy oohs and aahs on Christmas Day as they unwrap them.
I love your new book blog, too, and I can't wait to read more there. (I left a comment there, too.)
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