A Time Of Miracles
The children’s book review by Tacoma writer Rebecca Young appears monthly on the Families page.
“The Tree of the Dancing Goats” by Patricia Polacco
Polacco’s picture books create a rich patchwork of ethnic tradition, history, community and cross-cultural friendships. Many draw on her childhood memories and Russian-Jewish heritage.
All are beautifully illustrated in Polacco’s vivid and distinctive style. Each is a terrific example of story-telling. This new book deftly stitches together Christmas and Hanukkah. It is set in a farming community outside Union City, Mich., where young Trisha lived with her mother, brother and Ukrainian-born grandparents.
As the story opens, the family is preparing for Hanukkah. Babushka dips candles and the girl polishes the tarnished menorah. Grampa is busy carving and painting small wooden toys for the children, who aren’t supposed to know the toys are for them. Sent over to the neighbors’ to borrow some cornmeal, Trisha discovers her best friend Cherry Kremmel is very ill, along with her whole family.
Cherry is crying because her papa is too sick to cut a Christmas tree. The Kremmels and many other families have scarlet fever. Trisha’s family remains healthy, but while they’re joyfully celebrating the festival of lights, they are reminded of their friends who are too sick to be joyful.
The family devises a solution that involves the wooden animals, several little evergreen trees, candles and baskets of food delivered to the sick folks. This book will show children the true holiday spirit, no matter what the holiday. (Simon & Schuster, ages 5 and up, 32 pgs., $16.)
“While the Candles Burn: Eight Stories for Hanukkah” by Barbara Diamond Goldin
This interesting collection contains tales that will remain pertinent long after the last candle melts down. As the author explains, only one story actually takes place during Hanukkah. Instead, each story is meant to portray one of the many themes of the holiday, such as religious freedom, faith, courage, charity, and miracles. Several of the stories come from the Bible or Jewish folk tales.
Two are original stories by Goldin, set in modern times. One of those, called “Shalom/Salam,” takes place in a bilingual school in Israel where Jewish and Arab students learn together. The school is real, even though this story is fiction.
A Jewish student starts at the school hating Arabs. He learns on the soccer field and in the cafeteria that he and his Arab classmate Ahmed share significant common ground. Expressive monoprint and gouache illustrations complete this nicely done package. (Viking, ages 6 and up, 60 pgs., $15.99.)
“Wombat Divine” by Mem Fox
He’s Wombat, of “Wombat Stew” fame, and he wants a good part in the Nativity play. This year, he’s finally old enough. “So, with his heart full of hope and his head full of dreams, he hurried along to the auditions.”
His hope fades, however, as he tries out for part after part. He is too heavy to be the Archangel Gabriel, too big to be Mary, too short for a king, too sleepy to be Joseph.
But at last the perfect part is suggested - baby Jesus. And when Christmas Eve arrives, placid Wombat is a perfect baby. He even falls asleep during the performance.
This story brings back the beloved Australian animal characters from “Wombat Stew,” also charmingly illustrated by Kerry Argent. Fox is also the author of two other favorites, “Koala Lou” and “Possum Magic.” (Harcourt Brace, ages 4 and up, 32 pgs., $15.)
“This Is the Star” by Joyce Dunbar
This traditional Nativity story is nicely told using a cumulative “House That Jack Built”-style rhyme. “This is the donkey with precious load/Trudging the long and weary road,/Looked on by the angel shining bright/Who came to the shepherds watching by night/That saw the star in the sky.”
The illustrations are lovely, luminous oil paintings by award-winner Gary Blythe (“The WhaleUs Song”). They are realistic to an almost eerie degree. (Harcourt Brace, all ages, 36 pgs., $16.)
“Pippi Longstocking’s After-Christmas Party” by Astrid Lindgren
Rejoice! Pippi’s back! Perhaps this reissued story will attract the current generation to this wonderful eccentric character I loved when I was a child. You want a strong female protagonist? Pippi is literally the toughest kid in town. She lives alone and can lift her horse.
In this tale, first published in 1950, Pippi throws a party based on a Swedish tradition of “plundering” the Christmas tree before it is taken down. Pippi invites all the children in town to her party. Upon arrival they find a gorgeous tree in the backyard, laden with lights and gifts, and an igloo where Pippi is brewing hot chocolate.
As with the Pippi “chapter books,” this tale is packed with delicious details children will savor. Michael Chesworth provides bright illustrations, interspersed with black silhouettes. Pippi’s face is not quite the way I remember her, but children will enjoy the color and action. (Viking, ages 5 and up, 32 pgs., $13.99.)
“The Story of Kwanzaa” by Donna L. Washington
Each year several more books come out about this modern festival that honors African American heritage and values and begins each year on Dec. 26. So far, most of the books have been informational. Perhaps next year there will be a few fictional treatments.
This picture book is nicely done and explains clearly to younger children the meaning and purpose of the holiday. A few crafts and recipes, and a glossary are included.
Stephen Taylor used acrylic, pastels and gouache to create attractive illustrations that show families celebrating. Borders were created by photographing contemporary African fabrics. (HarperCollins, ages 5-8, 32 pgs., $14.95.)
“The Children’s Book of Kwanzaa” by Dolores Johnson
This is a more comprehensive book that includes some African-American history and a detailed, clearly written description of the principles and symbols of Kwanzaa. There is an extensive craft and recipe section, with many ideas for homemade gifts.
Attractively illustrated and presented, this will be a useful guide for years of Kwanzaa celebrations. (Atheneum, all ages, 160 pgs., $16.)