THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 6, 1994 TAG: 9412060099
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Book Review
SOURCE: BY BARBARA BURNS, SPECIAL TO DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Long : 138 lines
HEADLINING THIS season's list of holiday books for children is a stunning portrayal of life on a Virginia plantation on the eve of the Civil War. ``Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters,'' (Scholastic, $17.95), offers a deeply moving story about the survival of the human spirit, and its ability to find hope in the most dreadful circumstances.
Patricia and Frederick McKissack have meticulously researched the activities of both master and slave as they prepare for the holiday season and have written a narrative that is far from romanticized. The heartless separation of families by sale on New Year's Day is just one example of how they have presented this historical account in a most realistic way.
Don't miss this highly recommended book for ages 9 and up.
Another title that is set close to home is ``Littlejim's Gift: An Appalachian Christmas Story,'' (Philomel, $15.95). Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains during World War I, Gloria Houston weaves a marvelous story of a boy named Littlejim who wants desperately for his family to go to the church Christmas tree celebration like other folks. His father says Christmas is just like any other day. No time can be lost on fun or frolic. Through hard work, persistence, and a great deal of love for his family, Littlejim finds a happiness that fills his heart, the whole church, and maybe the whole world.
Thomas Allen's charcoal and color pencil drawings are the perfect accompaniment for this warm, gentle, family story.
Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic ``Little House'' books have been cherished by generations of young readers over the years. ``A Little House Christmas,'' (HarperCollins, $18.95), is a collection of Christmas celebrations from the little house in the Big Woods, on the prairie, and on the banks of Plum Creek.
In this handsome volume, the ``Little House Christmas'' stories have been gathered for the first time in a special gift book with softly colored versions of Garth Williams' classic illustrations. Each story is prefaced with introductory information that sets the scene, making this a holiday gift to treasure for any young girl on your gift list ages 7 to 11.
Every season there seems to be at least one new artistic interpretation of the beloved poem by Clement Moore, ``The Night Before Christmas.'' This year is no exception and Julie Downing's ``The Night Before Christmas,'' (Bradbury, $14.95), is a welcome addition. Downing grew up in Colorado and loves snow scenes. It is quite evident in her luminous watercolors with rich Victorian details and delicate borders. Her attention to detail will delight even the smallest youngster who will hang ``his stocking by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there.''
``They Followed a Bright Star,'' (Putnam, $15.95), is another jewel. The story is based on a German poem by Joan Alavedra with radiant illustrations by Ulises Wensell. An angel appears before three shepherds and invites them to follow the star to Bethlehem.
On their way they encourage a man at a well to join them. He must stay and protect the water for the baby who will need it someday. They meet a fisherman who cannot journey with them, because he who is born will need the fish he catches. The man plowing the wheat cannot leave, because the child to be born will need bread. And so the story goes focusing on those who stay behind to play a part in the miracles yet to come. This quiet story is a treasure that will be shared by families again and again.
To celebrate the baby in the manger comes a Pat-and-Peek Book for very young children. In the style of Pat-the-Bunny, youngsters can feel the donkey's soft gray fur, touch the ram's woolly coat and lift the blankets on the babe in the manger. ``Christmas in the Manger,'' (HarperFestival, $9.95), is by Nola Buck with illustrations by Felicia Bond and is a perfect introduction to the magic of the Christmas story for ages 1 to 4.
For a slightly older audience, ages 3 to 6, is another manger story, ``Christmas Lullaby,'' (Clarion, $14.95). Each of the animals in the stable gives Baby Jesus a precious gift. The donkey brings hay for his bed, the cow provides him milk to drink, and the spider spins a blanket of fine silk. Nancy Jewell's simple poem is brought to a tender conclusion as the cat and her kittens purring lulls the babe to sleep. This truly special story is enhanced by unique oil painting on wood by Italian artist Stefano Vitale.
Jamaican-born James Berry's first picture book, ``Celebrating Song,'' (Simon & Schuster, $14.00), is a lyrical poem that describes Baby Jesus' birth as Mary might have related it to him on his first birthday. She says, ``Your born-day is a happening day. And, one year old today, all day, I feel a celebration. Everywhere is alive in jubilation.''
The baby and Mary are brown-skinned and live in the West Indies surrounded by warm water and sandy beaches.
Author-illustrator Tomie dePaola is known for his legends of wildflowers. ``The Legend of the Bluebonnet'' and ``The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush'' are already familiar to his many fans. This Christmas he adds a third to his credit with ``The Legend of the Poinsettia,'' (Putnam, $15.95). A little girl named Licida is unable to finish her gift for the Baby Jesus in time for the Christmas procession in her Mexican village. She hastily picks up a bundle of weeds outside the church and places them before the Christ child in the creche. When she looks up, she sees that they have been transformed into brilliant red stars. DePaola retells this beautiful legend in his classic artistic style with flat figures and colorful palette.
On a lighter note for Taxi Dog fans comes ``A Taxi Dog Christmas,'' (Dial, $14.99). Maxi and his faithful owner, Jim, are back. After spending Christmas Eve shopping, skating and caroling in New York City, they witness a crash landing of Santa's sleigh. Jim and Maxi hitch their taxi to the reindeer, touch a finger to the dog's nose and sail up in the sky to save the day! Debra and Sal Barracca's rhyming text, accompanied by vibrant illustrations by Alan Ayers, may be a little far-fetched, however, ``in your heart, you just have to believe.''
``Goodness gracious, what do I see? The kitten has climbed the Christmas tree!'' And so begins ``The Christmas Tree Tangle,'' (McElderry, $15.95), by Margaret Mahy, with illustrations by Anthony Kerins. This fast-paced, repetitive tale in verse begs to be read aloud. It features a vast assortment of beasts, large and small, that climb the town's Christmas tree in search of the kitten at the top. One by one they all get stuck until, at last, a little girl comes to their rescue.
The best Hanukkah story to come around in quite a while is ``The Miracle of the Potato Latkes: A Hanukkah Story,'' (Holiday House, $15.95). It tells of Tante Golda who makes the best potato latkes in all of Russia. One year, because of a severe drought, she was down to her last potato and is forced to cancel her Hanukkah celebration. Golda never gives up hope that ``God will provide'' in times of trouble.
In this exuberant story by Malka Penn with energetic illustrations by Giora Carmi, God does, indeed, provide, and one miracle leads to another. Tante Golda's famous recipe is provided at the conclusion of the story.
``What Is Hanukkah?,'' (HarperFestival, $5.95), by Harriet Ziefert, is an informative introduction to Hanukkah for ages 3 to 7. The Lift-the-Flap format of this paperback with simple drawings by Rick Brown makes this a fun way for the youngest child to learn the traditions of the Festival of Lights.
``The Gifts of Kwanzaa,'' (Whitman, $14.95), is a fine introduction to this relatively new African American celebration created in 1966. In simple words and bold graphic artwork, Synthia Saint James explains the seven symbols and seven principles that are the foundation of the holiday that begins Dec. 26 and lasts for seven days. ``Crafts for Kwanzaa,'' (Millbrook Press, $6.95), by Kathy Ross includes 20 projects using readily available materials that even young children can create. Flags, wrapping paper, favors, hats and beads are among the crafts described in step-by-step detail. Parents and teachers should find this a valuable resource to help make Kwanzaa a special holiday. MEMO: Barbara Burns is a librarian in the Lower School at Norfolk Academy.
ILLUSTRATION: [Various book jackets]
by CNB