On the Shelf

Header Right Social

FacebookInstagramYoutubeMeetupOn the Shelf Blog

Header Right Search

Holidays

A Charlie Brown Christmas

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Sue!

A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz. It’s the Christmas season. All the kids are getting ready for the festivities and enjoying the winter weather. Charlie Brown just doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. The holidays always make him sad. After getting advice from Lucy, Charlie Brown agrees to get into the spirit by directing the school play. After the first practice he decides to get everyone in the mood to be serious about their parts by getting a Christmas tree. Later, after picking out a little, plain pine, and bringing it back, the kids think the tree is poor and scraggly. “I guess I didn’t pick a good tree. Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus strides to center stage and proceeds to describe the manger scene, ending with peace on earth and goodwill toward men. Charlie Brown takes his tree home and puts an ornament on it, but the ornament makes the tree sink to the ground, and Charlie Brown sadly walks away. Find out how all the kids come together to make Charlie Brown feel better, and how they transform the little pine tree. See this book listed in our catalog

The Night Before Christmas

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Sue!

The Night Before Christmas, poem by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Holly Hobbie. This classic child’s poem of the night before Christmas was originally titled “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas.” It rhythmically describes what can happen when Santa Claus comes on Christmas Eve as most children and parents are sleeping. But somebody wakes up upon hearing the clatter and the prancing and pawing of each reindeer hoof. In this illustrated version by Holly Hobbie, a new character is introduced. With a little magic and holiday surprise, Santa unpacks his bag full of toys and stuffs the stockings with presents and a teddy bear. “And laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.” This enchanting poem and story will leave children with a feeling of anticipation and hope with one last message to all when St. Nicholas says, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” See this book listed in our catalog

Bear Noel

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms Amy!

Bear Noel by Olivier Dunrea. Bear Noel is coming! The animals in the forest are full of excitement. It is Christmas Eve, and they know that Bear Noel is on his way. How do they know? Each animal notices a different sign of Bear Noel’s approach. Fox hears jingling bells, Hedgehog hears singing, and Wolf hears someone tramping through the snow. The animals repeat each sign of Bear Noel’s coming as they meet more friends in the forest, until at last – they see him! It’s Bear Noel, and he has brought gifts for all the animals, and magic! The beautiful illustrations of snowy forest scenes bring this simple story to life. You and your little one can have fun reading each animal’s part in a different “voice,” with cues from the text: Dunrea tells us that Boar grunts, Hare whispers, and Possum purrs. Bear Noel is sweet and joyful book, perfect for sharing during the holiday season. See this book listed in our catalog

Snow Angels, Snow Puppy, and My Little Polar Bear

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Allana!
Three cute books for the winter/holiday season:

Snow Angels by Angel Randall, illustrated by Brandon Dorman. This story begins with one friend helping another. With the assistance of little helpers that only these two young girls can see, the two set out to help others in their neighborhood! At each location they are joined by a band of angels who help and encourage the girls to carry out all their good will. It feels so good to help other people at this festive time of year, so much so that they decide to continue their good work all year long! With a play on the words “snow angel” the author has taken the meaning to a higher level, and in this delightful picture book, shows how two friends can become like real angels, not only in winter, but during every season. See this book listed in our catalog

Snow Puppy by Marcus Pfister. Rascal is normally a contented happy pup, but today he is feeling a little out of sorts. His friend Sophie is off to town shopping with her parents, and Rascal is left behind. When he notices the white fluffy stuff floating around outside the window, his loneliness becomes excitement and intrigue. He remembers seeing white fluffy stuff once before, when he playfully tore open a pillow, but this stuff is somehow different. Once outside, he realizes how different, and how much fun it is to play in. When Rascal becomes lost after chasing a bunny through the woods, his joy and excitement turn to fear. A kind stranger is nearby however, and we soon discover how he saves the day! This is a sweet story about an adorable puppy who will steal the hearts of readers of every age. See this book listed in our catalog

My Little Polar Bear by Claudia Rueda. “Don’t worry little one, I will stay with you, and I will teach you what polar bears need to know.” A young cub is learning how to be a polar bear from his mother.  He has no confidence at first, and doesn’t believe he can swim well enough, or smell seals from a distance, or even walk on snow and melting ice. With the guidance, reassurance, and love of his mother, he begins to realize that he will be able to grow up and be an independent polar bear. The frosty white and pale blue illustrations in this book are created by digital media, and really represent and recreate an arctic world. Young readers and listeners will enjoy following the polar bear’s progress in this charming story. See this book listed in our catalog

Frankenstein

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Jill!

Looking for a story that’s monstrously cute? “In a creepy old castle all covered with spines, lived twelve ugly monsters in two crooked lines,” begins Frainkenstein by Ludworst Bemonster. Little ghouls and boys everywhere will devour this spooky riff on the classic Madeline. Mad scientist Miss Devel (barely) manages a brood of young monsters ranging from a skeleton, a mummy, and a vampire, to a zombie and a werewolf, but the ugliest and scariest is Frankenstein, an adorable green little spook. When Frankenstein loses his head (literally), he’s whisked off by Dr. Bone to the laboratory, where chaos ensues. Fans of both Madeline and monsters will  delight in the many silly “scary” details, like the “CaldeNOT Horror Book” medal on the cover, and the spot-on old-fashioned style of the illustrations. Look for the picture of the mummy using his bandages as a swing, and the vampire’s coffin tucked into his bunk bed. On Halloween or anytime, Frankenstein kills. See this book listed in our catalog

Halloween Hustle

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Carol!

Halloween Hustle by Charlotte Gunnufson is a Halloween story about a skeleton who loves to dance. There is going to be a Halloween party hosted by Ghost on Halloween night and Skeleton is invited along with many other scary monsters. Skeleton is very excited because there will be a dance contest at the Halloween party. He begins practicing his dance moves doing the “Halloween Hustle” on his way to the party. While dancing, he trips on a crack, and his bones scatter everywhere. Luckily he is able to put himself back together with the help of some rubber bands. He continues on his way to the party with his monster friends, but along the way he falls apart again after tripping on a black cat. He finally reaches the party and does the Halloween Hustle, but he trips over Zombie’s foot and his bones scatter everywhere again! This time his skeleton friend is there to help him by gluing him back together for good with super strong glue. Now he can dance the night away and not have to worry about scattering his bones everywhere. See this book listed in our catalog