December 23, 2023 Issue, Page 21 of 24

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HOMETOWN TIDINGS PG13 ugha tan Naina RM Ei nn fear Santa, This Christrms,I am \5_ years old. This year,I have been... (J) good all of the tine ES. ( good sone of the time ©) naughty (but nice! a ‘What, J would like most this istims is... “ Hits Biter of > And I promise to leave out COOK ICs for youl y os ‘Fun Books To Read To Children This Holiday Season Werry Ciistmes, Santa! ‘The holiday season is a special time of year Mouse, whose determination and resource- for people of all ages, but children might be fulness mixed in with alittle Christmas mag- love, lay the most enthusiastic celebrants come De- ic ensures she finds a place to call home in for me! My cember. Children spend much of the holiday time for the holidays. season anticipating the arrival of the man - "A Night in Santa's Great Big Bag," by a i Se in the red suit, and that enthusiasm can be Kristin Kladstrup: Santa saves the day in this contagious. tale starring a young boy's favorite stuffed Families have their own unique traditions animal, whose excitement for Christmas during the holiday season, but one popular compels him to climb into Santa's big bag of way to harness kids' enthusiasm between presents on Christmas Eve. af Tear Santa, 7 Thanksgiving and Christmas Day is to read - "Santa Claus and the Three Bears," by Ma- them holiday stories. There's no shortage of This Chistes,1 am 4 years old. great holiday books for kids, but here are a ria Modugno: This twist on the popular tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears" finds three This year, I have been... © good all of the tire handful that kids may remember well into adulthood. unsuspecting bears encountering a familiar ef (J good some of the tine fellow in a red suit upon returning home af- : "The Polar Express," by Chris Van Alls- (4 naughty (but nice!) burg: The beloved tale is the story ofa young ter anighttime walk. ‘What I would like most this Christmas ss... boy who boards a mysterious train bound for -"Twas the Night Before Christmas: Edited the North Pole. by Santa Claus for the Benefit of Children of - "The Littlest Elf," by Brandi Dougherty: the 21st Century," by Clement C. Moore: Par- Part of a series, this story focuses on a tiny ents will appreciate this updated version of elf named Oliver and a series of misadven- the popular tale that, among other things, tures as he navigates his way through Santa's has removed the reference to Santa smoking. workshop. + "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Dr. + "Olive, the Other Reindeer," by Vivian Seuss: Children can join generations of fans Walsh: Olive is no ordinary reindeer. In fact, Olive is a dog who heads to the North Pole that came before them as they hear the re- believing she is a reindeer. Her decision to demption story of the Grinch who was once join Santa's team ultimately benefits the big determined to ruin Christmas for the happy man and his trusty reindeer. people of Who-ville. - “The Miracle of the First Poinsettia: A - "The Nutcracker," by the New York City Mexican Christmas Story," by Joanne Op- Ballet: The classic story is retold based on erry Chistims, Sautal penheim: A little girl named Juanita is the famed choreographer George Balanchine's | star of this retelling of a traditional Mexican production. tale with a valuable lesson. The holiday season is steeped in tradition. - “Gingerbread Mouse: A Christmas Holi- Reading new and classic holiday stories to TP’ to ‘CfPe a for me! day Book for Kids," by Katy Bratun: A fallen children is one tradition any family can em- eee tree branch almost ruins Christmas for brace.