BOOKS as Gifts: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and The Polar Express

When it comes to shopping for the holidays or birthdays or anydays, a book is the gift that keeps giving and giving. These are two books that many will enjoy. The 'kid' in all of us find these entertaining...they are not just for children.

Barbara Robinson is a writer that tells a story that just about eveyone can relate to, some more than others. She pokes fun at some things that are not 'funny' to some but can be identified with nevertheless. It is gentle humor not mean-spirited.

In the Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Ms. Robinson does just that. Uses gentle humor throughout this story.

The Herdman's are a family, a very important family, in the story. This family can be found in almost any town, in any state, today. They are not the Cleavers. They are a somewhat scraggly group of children (there are parents of course but the parents are not central to the story line,) They cuss their teachers and smoke cigars and do bad things that sometimes turn out to be good things. The characters are colorful and you will recognize someone you know or maybe even find yourself on the pages of this book.

This is a book for all ages; you must give it is a gift this year.

It is not just for children. It is for the child in each of us. When I was teaching in upper elementary and in middle school, I read this book each year. The best time of each class period was the time I read from Ms. Robinson's book. There is one place in the book, near the end, where I choked up every time I read it...every time, without fail!

I dragged my grandson to see the play with me several years ago. He tried not to be interested but I saw him smile and I heard a chuckle or two (he is a serious gamer so the idea of this play was not really his cup of tea .).

See the play, buy the book, buy the DVD; it is also on Kindle.. But, you must read the book FIRST. It is a great read aloud. Tear your kidos away from whatever they are doing for 20 minutes each night till you are finished reading it aloud. You will find you read longer each night when you are reading it as everyone wants to know 'what's next'.

This must be said. Try to avoid over analyzing, over discussing, and try NOT to test on this book. If you are reading it in class, for an authentic assessment, have children create a project surrounding the characters, the theme, but, try not to lose the simplicity of the story by questioning too much. It is a book to read, think about, and enjoy.

This book brings up topics for discussion that you will want to address. And, it addresses gift giving. You can read it and enjoy if for the story, or, you can read it and use it as a teachable moment resource, Either way, select this book as a gift for someone this holiday season. You can find this book and many others of hers at Amazon.com, local book stores, and the library.

Barbara Robinson has written other books as well: The Best/Worst School Year Ever, My Brother Louis Measures Worms are a few. I have read the Best Worst School Year Ever and it was not my favorite. I think the Best Christmas Pageant ruined it for me because I had found it so engaging. I am going to get a copy of My Brother Louis Measures Worms today. Will let you know.

The Polar Express is another book that will make an excellent gift this year. It is one that you will want to read over and over and over. It is another book that is a great read aloud book.

This is a story about believing in the magic of Christmas. For some, Santa Claus is taboo and that is respected by this author. So please excuse me if I drone on about SC and the loveliness of this whole time of the year. Christmas is about so much more than SC. We all know that. SC is part of this whole celebration whatever your personal beliefs or ideas of how to deal with him; he is part of it. I am not here to debate the pros and cons of Santa. That is for you to do and decide how to handle.

Santa is a character in this story but the story is much larger than that. It is believing in the magic of Christmas that is really the larger issue. It is worth reading to yourself, to your loved ones.

As I write this, it is October 31st. Two months from now, Christmas Day will have passed and most of our gifts and the trappings will be put away.

This book will remain at your house. The story will remain in your heart and mind. You will think about it and secretly smile as you remember a Christmas of long ago.

Each of us brings to this holiday a different frame of reference. For some it is not so pleasant.Maybe reading this will inspire you to do something for a family that may not be feeling joy as this season approaches this year due to economic setbacks. Giving to the Salvation Army bell ringer's kettle is great... but you can do more. Give some food and clothing and a few gifts to a family and if possible and do it anonymously

This book also is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, and your public library.

copyright 2011-2012 pstraubie48 ^TM All Rights Reserved