Santa, parents and friends are in luck this year: There are plenty of great books that can make wonderful gifts for well-behaved boys, girls and bookworms.
For the youngest readers, there is Little Humans by Brandon Stanton, who also created Humans of New York. The charming little book is alive with enchanting photos of the children of New York and is a good reminder of the diversity of life in the city.
Blizzard by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco is a picture book based on the author’s true story. In 1978 when Rocco was a small boy, his Rhode Island town was hit by a terrific blizzard that left more than 40 inches of snow on the ground. Snowplows couldn’t get to his neighborhood. After several days of being trapped in his home, John thought of a way to get to the local store to obtain desperately needed supplies for his family and neighbors. Told in age-appropriate language and with the humor of an enthusiastic boy, Blizzard is a sweet tale that is delightfully illustrated.
The Farmer and The Clown by Marla Frazee is a unique, wordless picture book. Frazee manages to create a heart warming, poignant story about a farmer in his field, a circus clown who falls from his train and the importance of home, family and the kindness of strangers. This amazing book is sure to garner awards for its message and art.
The Scavengers is a debut juvenile novel by Michael Perry, a New York Times best selling writer. The futuristic story features a young girl, Maggie, who lives with her father, mother and younger brother Dookie in a post-bubble world. The world consists of those who live in cities in a protective bubble and those like her who do not. Maggie and her family are forced to scrape out an existence and must contend with terrifying solar bears and the Grey Devils, who are a constant threat. After she returns one day and finds her home trashed and her family missing, Maggie must reach deep within to find the strength to find her family and save them from the mysterious ruling authorities. The Scavengers, which is aimed at the middle reader, is a compelling and entertaining read.
Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky by Sandra Dallas is the story of Tomi Itano, a second-generation Japanese-American girl who lives in California on a strawberry farm with her parents and brothers. It is 1942, and Pearl Harbor has changed Tomi’s life forever. The FBI comes and takes away her father and then the rest of the family is sent away to an internment camp in remote Colorado. In the novel, the name of the camp is Tallgrass and it is based on the real life Colorado camp, Amache, which was located in the southeastern part of the state. Dallas portrays the hardship of daily life in the camp and especially the confusion experienced by the camp’s inhabitants. This book is engaging and well-written and sheds light on a little known period in Colorado history.
Two small, self-published books are worth mentioning. The first, The Elbow and the Invisible People by Betsy Randolph, is for middle readers and tells the story of Noah and his town of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Noah is a little different and is constantly picked on. He is not a happy camper. To add to his woes, birds and animals start to talk to him. They tell him to warn the people of his town that a giant flood is coming. This story is a gentle reminder to accept those who are outside the norm, and that all people deserve kindness and acceptance.
The second book, Angelina’s Prayer by Cheryl Bartky, is a short story with regional appeal. Angelina and her mother have just moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, after her father has left them. Angelina cannot accept that her father is not coming back. She meets her neighbor Tony, who is putting sand in lunch bags. Tony tells her that the practice of lighting luminaries on Christmas Eve guides Christ to each home. Angelina thinks that if she makes luminaries, her father will be able to find her. As the story unfolds, Angelina learns that sometimes it is better to think of others who are less fortunate than to focus on her own losses. This petite story is a true Christmas tale.
These suggestions are only a few of the great choices available to holiday shoppers. Remember: Books are a special gift that can fire a child’s imagination, educate and be enjoyed over and over again.
sierrapoco@yahoo.com. Leslie Doran is a Durango freelance reviewer.
