HOLIDAY books:
center around special events that people celebrate
Groundhog Weather School
By: Joan Holub
Picture Book
Summary: Professor Groundhog predicts spring on Groundhog day one year, but he is wrong. Rabbit writes a letter to him, suggesting he hire more groundhogs to help predict the weather. Then, Professor Groundhog opens Groundhog Weather School to teach how to predict the weather based on a shadow. The story demonstrates how difficult it is to be 100 percent accurate when predicting the weather by going into detail about the seasons and the weather and Groundhogs!
Interest Level: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Grade Level/Reading Level: 3.7 (3rd Grade 7 Months)
By: Joan Holub
Picture Book
Summary: Professor Groundhog predicts spring on Groundhog day one year, but he is wrong. Rabbit writes a letter to him, suggesting he hire more groundhogs to help predict the weather. Then, Professor Groundhog opens Groundhog Weather School to teach how to predict the weather based on a shadow. The story demonstrates how difficult it is to be 100 percent accurate when predicting the weather by going into detail about the seasons and the weather and Groundhogs!
Interest Level: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Grade Level/Reading Level: 3.7 (3rd Grade 7 Months)
Light the Lights!
By: Margaret Moorman
Picture Book
Summary: It is winter and Emma and her parents begin to celebrate for Hanukkah. They celebrate the eight days with all of the traditional Hanukkah festivities; Latkes, playing dreidel, eating Hanukah gelt, spending time with family, and “lighting the lights” of the menorah! After celebrating Hanukkah, Emma and her family begin decorating and preparing for Christmas. Now, they celebrate with all of the traditional Christmas festivities: decorating cookies with friends, putting up the tree, decorating the tree with ornaments, and finally “lighting the lights” on the tree! Both holidays have one thing in common; they both include lighting lights!
Interest Level: 4 – 8 Years Old
Grade Level/Reading Level: Pre-School – 3rd Grade
By: Margaret Moorman
Picture Book
Summary: It is winter and Emma and her parents begin to celebrate for Hanukkah. They celebrate the eight days with all of the traditional Hanukkah festivities; Latkes, playing dreidel, eating Hanukah gelt, spending time with family, and “lighting the lights” of the menorah! After celebrating Hanukkah, Emma and her family begin decorating and preparing for Christmas. Now, they celebrate with all of the traditional Christmas festivities: decorating cookies with friends, putting up the tree, decorating the tree with ornaments, and finally “lighting the lights” on the tree! Both holidays have one thing in common; they both include lighting lights!
Interest Level: 4 – 8 Years Old
Grade Level/Reading Level: Pre-School – 3rd Grade
St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning
By: Eve Bunting
Picture Book
Summary: Jamie wakes up early, before anyone else is awake, on St. Patrick’s Day. He knows the St. Patrick’s Day parade is later that day and thinks it is unfair how he is not allowed to walk in the parade because he is “too small”. To prove to his parents, older brothers, and the rest of the town, Jamie takes his dog Nell and his older brother Kevin’s flute and begins parading around the town. As he plays the flute, Nell howls, making their own parade. He gets to Acorn Hill where the parade will begin and Mrs. Simms welcomes Jamie and Nell in her store for some treats. After that, they leave and begin parading up Acorn Hill. Jamie left his mark by leaving an empty bottle of soda with the Irish flag in it.
Interest Level: K – 3rd Grade
Grade Level/Reading Level: 2.7 (2nd Grade 7 Months)
By: Eve Bunting
Picture Book
Summary: Jamie wakes up early, before anyone else is awake, on St. Patrick’s Day. He knows the St. Patrick’s Day parade is later that day and thinks it is unfair how he is not allowed to walk in the parade because he is “too small”. To prove to his parents, older brothers, and the rest of the town, Jamie takes his dog Nell and his older brother Kevin’s flute and begins parading around the town. As he plays the flute, Nell howls, making their own parade. He gets to Acorn Hill where the parade will begin and Mrs. Simms welcomes Jamie and Nell in her store for some treats. After that, they leave and begin parading up Acorn Hill. Jamie left his mark by leaving an empty bottle of soda with the Irish flag in it.
Interest Level: K – 3rd Grade
Grade Level/Reading Level: 2.7 (2nd Grade 7 Months)
The Pennsylvania Dutch Night Before Christmas
By: Chet Williamson
Picture Book
Summary: This book tells the story of Belsnickel, who is similar to Santa Claus to the Pennsylvania Dutch. Using the Pennsylvania German dialect, the story begins with the Belsnickel and his cows trying to deliver presents on Christmas Eve. However, the cows have a little trouble flying and climbing from roof to roof and fall through the roof of a family’s home. The three children, Abner, Ruth, and Amos are frightened when asked about their behavior. Each child got a present and Belsnickel promised to send Stolzfus to fix their roof!
Interest Level: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Grade Level/Reading Level: 2.0 (beginning of 2nd Grade)
By: Chet Williamson
Picture Book
Summary: This book tells the story of Belsnickel, who is similar to Santa Claus to the Pennsylvania Dutch. Using the Pennsylvania German dialect, the story begins with the Belsnickel and his cows trying to deliver presents on Christmas Eve. However, the cows have a little trouble flying and climbing from roof to roof and fall through the roof of a family’s home. The three children, Abner, Ruth, and Amos are frightened when asked about their behavior. Each child got a present and Belsnickel promised to send Stolzfus to fix their roof!
Interest Level: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Grade Level/Reading Level: 2.0 (beginning of 2nd Grade)
The Polar Express
By: Chris Van Allsburg
Picture Book
Summary: A young boy was up one night when the polar express stopped in front of his house and the conductor invited him to join them to the North Pole. The train was full of kids singing songs, drinking hot coco, and having a great time! Once they arrived at the North Pole the young boy was picked by Santa to be given the first gift on Christmas. He chose one of the reindeer bells, which had a beautiful ring to it. Only people who believed in the Christmas magic were able to hear the beautiful bell’s ring.
Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Grade Level/Reading Level: 3.8 (3rd Grade 8 Months)
By: Chris Van Allsburg
Picture Book
Summary: A young boy was up one night when the polar express stopped in front of his house and the conductor invited him to join them to the North Pole. The train was full of kids singing songs, drinking hot coco, and having a great time! Once they arrived at the North Pole the young boy was picked by Santa to be given the first gift on Christmas. He chose one of the reindeer bells, which had a beautiful ring to it. Only people who believed in the Christmas magic were able to hear the beautiful bell’s ring.
Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Grade Level/Reading Level: 3.8 (3rd Grade 8 Months)