Favorite Christmas Stories?

Every December, my family gets out all of our Christmas books, and I read the picture books to my little brothers (who aren't little at all anymore, at 12 and 15!) and go through "The Best Christmas Stories Ever," ideally with some Christmas music playing in the background. I was just thinking this morning how I haven't read any of these yet this year, and that tonight would be a good night to curl up with a blanket and some hot chocolate and The Gift of the Magi or Eloise at Christmastime--my two favorites, if I had to choose.

What are some of your favorite Christmas stories?

Book Angels

Thanks to everyone who came to help us wrap last night! There are lots of packages under our tree now for the kids at Klingberg. There are still many names on the tree, though, so if you haven't had a chance to stop by, there's still time! We'll make sure they all get wrapped and delivered.

Become a Book Angel!

Stop by The Alphabet Garden to choose a tag from our Giving Tree. Each gift tag has the name, age, and gender of a child in need, as well as two books each child would like. Please consider helping out a child in need this holiday season by choosing a tag, purchasing the books requested and donating them to our Book Angel Program. We'll be donating the books to the Klingberg Family Centers.

Join us for the wrapping party on Friday, December 5th!

Save 25% on books purchased for the Book Angel Program.

My Little Girl

Those of you who remember Julia Denos from when she worked at The Alphabet Garden might be interested to know that she has illustrated another book. Written by Tim McGraw, My Little Girl tells the story of a little girl's day out with her dad and the fun they have just being together.

A Murder for Her Majesty

We all have them. Those books we love, but no one else seems to have heard of. A Murder for Her Majesty is one of mine. I read this book every year, preferably all in one sitting so as to be fully immersed, and practically have it memorized by now. I think it's a perfect comfort read--set in London, starring an orphan girl, full of mystery and choir music and Latin homework (Latin homework is much more fun in books than in real life)... What could be better?

What are your favorite lesser-known books?

The Dog Who Belonged to No One

I have another cozy fall book for you today. This one is about a dog who, as the title says, belonged to no one, and a "little slip of a girl named Lia" who spends her time helping her parents in their bakery. Both dog and girl are lonely, with no one in particular to call a friend, until they meet one rainy night. Amy Hest tells their story in an interesting parallel fashion--a bit about the dog, a bit about the girl, and so on until their paths cross. There's nothing really surprising about the plot, but it's the kind of story I would enjoy reading to a child on a rainy day while curled up on a comfy chair with a blanket and maybe some homemade cookies fresh out of the oven. A sweet and cozy kind of book.

Happy Birthday, Paddington!

Paddington Bear turns 50 today! Have some marmalade to celebrate.