January Picture Book Basket

This month’s book basket contains the following books:

Akiak: A Tale From the Iditarod by Robert J. Blake

A sled dog refuses to give up during the Iditarod, despite being hurt.

Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett

The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader (added 1/13)

A Day On Skates by Hilda Van Stockum*
This will be the first time that I read this book.

A Gift of Gracias: The Legend of Altagracia by Julia Alvarez (January 21)*

Julia Alvarez tells a beautiful story of a young Spanish girl who helps to save her family’s farm with the help of Our Lady of Altagracia. A Gift of Gracias is available in many libraries, however, my family recommends purchasing this picture book.

Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett

Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett

The Hat by Jan Brett

This story is similar to The Mitten; however, the hat is inhabited by barn animals instead of wild animals. As is typical with Jan Brett’s books, it is fun to read and view.

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Katy, a red crawler tractor, plows the people of Geoppolis out of a huge snow storm.

The Legend of Old Befana: An Italian Christmas Story by Tomie de Paola*

The children are looking forward to hearing this story again on January 6.

The Mitten by Jan Brett*
Wild animals attempt to warm themselves in Nicki’s lost mitten.

Mousekin’s Frosty Friend by Edna Miller
Mousekin finds some puzzling and unfamiliar tracks in the snow. Will he learn to whom they belong?

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
A girl goes owling with her father on a winter night, inspiring young listeners to want to do the same. My two oldest used to really like listening to this story.

Saint Felix and the Spider by Dessi Jackson (January 14)*
This is a wonderfully written book that draws the reader and listeners into the story. (added 12/13)

Saint John Bosco: The Friend of Children and Young People by Carol Monmarche (January 31)*
St. John Bosco has held a special place in our hearts ever since one of our children was baptized on his feast day, January 31.

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Snowflake Bentley photographed thousands of snowflakes in order to study their unique formations. This book recounts his endeavors with beautiful illustrations and an engaging story.

A Story of St. John Bosco by Brother Ernest, C.S.C. (January 31)*

The Story of the Three Wise Kings by Tomie de Paola
This is an out-of-print book by Tomie de Paola which retells the story of the three wise men. We read it on January 6.

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett*

Jan Brett does an great job of retelling Goldilocks and the Three Bears as a winter tale. As always, she also succeeds in intriguing children (and adults) with her detailed illustrations.

A Time to Keep: The Tasha Tudor Book of Holidays by Tasha Tudor*

We enjoy reading this book towards the beginning of January and throughout the year. Tasha Tudor weaves a little bit of magic, as she shares the delightful things that are celebrated or done throughout the year.

The Tomten and the Fox by Astrid Lindgren
The tomten agrees to share his porridge with the fox if the fox will stop disturbing the farm animals.

Trouble with Trolls by Jan Brett

We Three Kings illustrated by Gennady Spirin*

This famous carol is brought to life by Gennady Spirin’s beautiful illustrations. I hope to eventually add this book to our collection and read (or sing) it every January 6. Update: We added this book to our collection in 2011.