Let's be honest. Children's books are devastating. Each of us, at some time in our lives, must come to terms with the fact that the owl sent to deliver our letter from Hogwarts didn't just get blown off course by the westerlies, that checking the back of every wardrobe won't one day let us into Narnia, and we will never find that little fairy who will give our happy thoughts wings to Never Never Land.
If you're anything like me, your heart just broke all over again, but isn't that the point? Children's books let us believe the impossible. They make us think that The Nothing is coming to destroy everything, that the Wicked Witch of the West is going to get us and our little dog too, and that bad days exist, even in Australia. They give us imagination and emotion. They teach us about love and hate, fear and adventure--and when it is all over, we put them away on our bookshelves to revisit later and experience it all over again. They are always there for us no matter what it is we need from them.
This love and admiration for children's books is what pushed me into the world of publishing and Peachtree Publishers in the first place. It is also why, when it comes to gift giving, I always go with books. I like to know that I am helping to build a library that will show kids what a real Library Dragon is like, that raptors aren't just dinosaurs, and that even the president has something to learn in kindergarten.
It is in this spirit of giving I offer my list of Perfect Peachtree books for Christmas for the kiddo in your life that could do with a bit more of the fantastical:
- Immi's Gift by Karin Littlewood-This is a book that celebrates imagination and the interconnectedness of the world.
- Snow Day! by Lester Laminack-Everyone looks forward to that glorious time of year when snow days are imminent... even grown ups.
- Little Rabbit's Christmas by Harry Horse-Little Rabbit is the brattiest bunny around, especially when Santa brings him a coveted red sled for Christmas. However, even little rabbits can learn the benefits of sharing.
- Under the Snow by Melissa Stewart-the budding scientist will love learning about the vibrant world beneath the snow.
- Where Teddy Bears Come From by Mark Burgess-When the Little Wolf (not to be confused with the Big Bad mind you) can't sleep, he goes in search of a teddy bear and meets all sorts of characters along the way.
- Santa's Eleven Months Off by Mike Reiss-The age old question is finally answered... What does Santa do with all of that time off?
- Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon-The true story of the Christmas truce during World War I. Sometimes truth can be more unbelievable than fiction.
- To Whom the Angel Spoke by Terry Kay-A look at the story of Christmas and the unifying power of belief.
What are your favorite holiday books? Which children's books have had the most profound effect on you as a reader? Do you have a great book disappointment? I'd love to hear all things children's books!
