A Few Children's Books - Holidays and More

These dark days conjure the coziness of being cuddled up with a good book (or three). As a children’s book author I always have my eye out for good and beautiful children’s books for all ages.

My taste runs to what might be considered old fashioned in that I love gentle, loving books filled with sweet messages and darling characters that one loves spending time with.

Even though these books have been around for decades, I have only just discovered the lovely Moomin Family books by Finnish writer, Tove Jansson (1914-2001). They come in story books, board books, and comic strips, so there are versions for all levels of readers and listeners to enjoy the escapades of the Moomins and their friends.

Little Witch Hazel, by Phoebe Wahl, is delightful, and I think a perfect book. It follows Little Witch Hazel through the seasons with her forest friends. It is excellent for reading aloud, but also for readers to enjoy on their own.

Cornelia Funke co-wrote her new book, The Green Kingdom, with herbalist and organic farmer, Tammi Hartung. The story, about a young teenage girl from Maine who finds herself in Brooklyn, NY for the summer solving secret riddles about plants, is not a picture book, but recommended for ages 8-12 and up.

Once a Queen, by Sarah Arthur, is set in a large, somewhat mysterious manor house in England. The story, book one in a three-part series, has hints of The Secret Garden (an all-time favorite of mine, that I always recommend) and other tales set in England. This also is not a picture book, but recommended for 12 and up.

As for specifically holiday tales, I love the darling and touching Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden and the funny Magic Menorah, by Jane Breskin Zalben. While ostensibly a Chanukah story, The Gift, by Aliana Brodman, is a tale for any gift-giving occasion or holiday.

For those that follow my plant tales series, book 1: Woad & Toad, and book 2: Dent-de-Lion are both available now. Next year, book 3: The Three Artemisias will be released. These are kind and loving stories for sure.

As the saying goes, there are so many books, and so little time, but hopefully this small sampling will inspire you to share these and other loving and kind stories this holiday season. Enjoy!

** Most of the links in this post are to my Bookshop.org page which supports independent bookstores.