Take These Terrific Book Lists Gift Shopping

Those who despair that books are going the way of the 8-track tape should have been in in Saucon Valley last Friday.

It was surely the liveliest spot for miles around - I’ve been in less crowded dance clubs.

Granted, on Friday and Saturday nights it has become the place to see and be seen for every teenager in a 20-mile radius and they aren’t there to read Anna Karenina. But there were also plenty of grown-ups shopping with young kids who were obviously excited about no-tech storybooks.

For those who need some help gift shopping, , and librarians recommend these books about the holidays, winter and snow for children ranging from toddlers to those in early elementary grades.

Carol Lacock, ’s youth services librarian, made these suggestions:

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett is a delightful adaptation of the Three Bears story.

Snow by Cynthia Rylant depicts the beauty of wintertime snow, the joy of snow-related activities and a unique family group.

Are You Ready for Winter? by Sheila Anderson is a non-fiction book about a collection of winter happenings from the Sights & Sounds of winter to What is Hibernation? 

Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble tells about family farm life in 1881. When an apple tree is felled by a storm just before Christmas, a young farm girl and her family discover that the tree was important to each of them for different reasons.

Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg lets those of all ages experience the magic of believing.

It’s Snowing by Gail Gibbons scientifically addresses snowflakes, snowfall locations, different kinds of snowfalls, safety in snow and much more.

Here are suggestions and descriptions from Catherine Stewart, the children’s librarian and assistant director of the:

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney is about a llama that does not like to wait at all - will Christmas ever come?

The Carpenter’s Gift by David Rubel is a Christmas tale about the Rockefeller Center tree. Family, friendship and the spirit of giving are at the heart of this inspiring picture book.

Home for Christmas by Jan Brett transports us to a glorious Scandinavian landscape where a beautiful fall turns into a magnificent snowy winter.

The Magical Christmas Horse by Mary Higgins Clark captures the true heart of Christmas and one that families will make a part of their Christmas tradition year after year.

Santa’s Christmas Gift by Sherrill Cannon ties two holiday traditions into one inspirational tale of wonder—as Santa brings gifts to baby Jesus.

Martha Vines, children's librarian at , recommended these books:

Runaway Dreidel by Leslea Newman is the story of how preparations for Hanukkah are disrupted by a dreidel that does crazy things.

The Magic Dreidels by Eric A. Kimmel tells of how an old woman swindles a boy out of his magic dreidels and how he comes up with clever ways to get them back.

Light the Lights by Margaret Moorman is about celebrating Hannukkah and Christmas.