Jen Hetzer of New Freedom reads Clement Moore's classic poem, 'The Night Before Christmas,' to her 2-year-old son Andrew at the Paul Smith Library of Southern York County.
Deborah Sullivan
York County Library System community relations director
We brought my son, Michael, home from the hospital on Christmas Day in a huge red stocking with furry white trim. Each year, we would root that stocking out, he would climb in, and we would take his picture -- always amazed at how much he had grown.
Around pre-school age, we started sprinkling "reindeer food" on the lawn to help guide Santa's sleigh to our house, and of course we set out a plate of cookies for our jolly visitor to eat!
Snuggling up to read Christmas tales, singing carols and driving around to see lights have all weaved their way in and out of our celebrations over the years, creating what I hope will become cherished memories.
Many families include books as part of their Christmas heritage.
Dawn Stockbridge, youth services coordinator for the Paul Smith Library of Southern York County, said she loves to read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "The Polar Express" to her 7-year-old daughter.
"It's become a tradition for us to read them and watch the movies. For the Grinch, we always watch the original TV show and not the Jim Carey movie! This year we took her to see the Grinch musical at the Hippodrome -- she was so surprised," Stockbridge said. "For newer books, we love 'Olive the Other Reindeer' and 'Elf Elementary.'"
When parents seek advice on selecting Christmas books to read to their children, Gina Mumaw, librarian at the Arthur Hufnagel Public Library of Glen Rock, points to "The Night Before Christmas" because it captures the wonder and excitement of Christmas.
"My other recommendations would be: 'The Legend of the Candy Cane' by Lori Wallburg, 'The Legend of the Christmas Stocking' by Rick Osborne, and 'The Legend of St. Nicholas' by Dandi Mackall. All three of these books lend credibility to the season that seems to be so commercialized," she said.
"My new favorite for young children is 'Bear Stays Up For Christmas' by Karma Wilson. It is a great story of a gentle bear with beautiful illustrations, and is good for younger children since there is not too much text on the page."
Debbie Van de Castle, director for both the Dover Area Community Library and Glatfelter Memorial Library, agrees with Stockbridge that Chris Van Allsburg's "The Polar Express" is an ideal choice for a Christmas read because the illustrations are beautiful and the tale is magical.
"It is a very good story for those boys and girls who are a little bit older and aren't quite sure what they believe about Santa Claus," she said.
Both Van de Castle and Carol Stampler, director of Mason-Dixon Public Library, took notice of a new title this year, "Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
"One of my story-time mothers said that when she checked out the book, her 3-year-old made her read it every night for two weeks and by the end of those two weeks she had learned the meaning of some of the book's lessons," Stampler said. The book's sweet images depict children making, sharing and eating Christmas cookies. Each page has a highlighted word with a definition such as "Appreciate means thank you so much for taking the time to bake with me."
"It's nice because it deals with what Christmas is really about -- love," Van de Castle said.
BOOKS TO TRY"Pennsylvania Dutch Night before Christmas" by Chet Williamson
"Little Fur Family" by Margaret Wise Brown
"Star Mother's Youngest Child" by Louise Moeri
"The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" by Susan Wojciechowski
"The Donkey's Christmas Song" by Nancy Tafuri
"A Christmas Story" by Brian Wildsmith
"My First Christmas" by Tomie DePaola
"Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale" by Martin Wadell
"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson.
HOLIDAYS AT THE LIBRARYCollinsville Community
Library, 2632 Delta Road, Brogue, 927-9014.
Gingerbread Friend Holiday Workshop -- 1 p.m. Dec. 29 and 6 p.m. Dec. 30. Children from 4 to young teens are invited to stuff and decorate an adorable gingerbread friend or reindeer in this program presented by Noah's Ark Animal Workshop. $10 per child. Pre-register at 927-9014.Paul Smith Library of Southern York County, 80 Constitution Ave., Shrewsbury, 235-4313.
Gingerbread Story Times -- 10:30 a.m., Monday, toddler/preschool; 7 p.m. Monday, age 5 and up; 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, toddler/preschool. Limited to the first 25 registrants. Call to reserve a spot.
Calling All Young Architects -- 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3. Kids can bring any kind of toy building material such as Legos, K'nex, and Lincoln Logs to the library and assemble their projects during the day. Official hours are 10:30 a.m. to noon, but folks may stay all day and work if they like. For those interested in putting their craftsmanship on display, the library will exhibit the projects during the first two weeks of January.
Mason-Dixon Public Library, 250 Bailey Drive, Stewartstown, 993-2404.
Happy Holidays Story Time -- 10:30 a.m. Monday. Stories and a craft.
Warm & Fuzzy Story Time -- 10:30 a.m. Dec. 29. Carol Stampler will share stories about babies, and the group will make a "fuzzy" craft.
Village Library, 35-C N. Main St., Jacobus, 428-1034.
Baby/Toddler Story Time -- 10:30 a.m. Monday and Dec. 29. Miss Amy shares her favorite books, songs, nursery rhymes and more. For children from birth to age 2, and siblings are welcome.Dover Area Community Library, 3700-3 Davidsburg Road., Dover, 292-6814.
Evening Story Time -- 7 p.m. Monday and Dec. 29. For families with children of all ages.Glatfelter Memorial Library, 101 Glenview Road, Spring Grove.
Evening Story Time -- 7 p.m. Monday and Dec. 29. For children of all ages and their families.Arthur Hufnagel Public Library of Glen Rock, 32 Main St., Glen Rock, 235-1127.
Knitting Group -- 6 p.m. Dec. 30. Share time with other knitters as you work on an old project or start a new one. Bring your knitting supplies and join the group. No registration.
Second Annual Christmas Shoppe -- Now through Dec. 31 during library hours. Visit the library's Christmas Shoppe to find the perfect holiday gift. The Shoppe features jewelry, painted porcelain tea cups, hand-carved wooden boxes and more. Ten percent of all sales will benefit the library.
Winter Book Sale -- Now through Dec. 31 during library hours.
ON THE WEBMorning Edition on National Public Radio talked to a family that saves its holiday books to read every night during the season.
Read about their holiday tradition and listen to the report at www.npr.org.
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