The 12 Days of [Children’s Literature before] Christmas is a semester break special borrowing from the traditional 12 Days of Christmas (that occur after December 25th). The point is to get you into the spirit of the season by recommending one book per day leading up to Christmas. The books can be read by children of all ages (when do we really stop being children?) and to children of all ages (who says a newborn doesn’t understand what you read to her/him?).
Comments are always welcomed. May your days and wintry evenings be merry and bright as you cuddle-up with a blanket and book, and maybe in the company of other children. Enjoy!
1 Day before Christmas: The Christmas Gift
If you’ve not had time to read all of the books from this year’s countdown, or if you want to narrow your selection down to the best of the best, then I highly recommend you make time to read this beautiful and deeply moving story. Without revealing too much, this children’s book deals with the experience of one child, Panchito, and his migrant family traveling from one job opportunity to the next. As Christmas approaches, he longs for one special gift. What he receives is nothing short of an epiphany and what he learns is that it is very rewarding to give, even when it seems that there is nothing to give. I’ll leave it at that in terms of the story, you’ve just got to read it. Make sure you read the author’s statement too!
The other beauty of the book is the bilingual text. So if you are familiar with the Spanish language, no deje pasar esta oportunidad de leer un gran libro. (I’ll let the WLL peeps correct my errors.) If I could, I’d put this on every Spanish 101 required reading list.
High-five to the book worms at Camp Realist who assisted me with this year’s list.
OK, that does it for this year’s countdown. I’d like to thank all of you wonderful readers of these past twelve postings for your time. As I’ve stated all along, if you have other selections, feel free to throw them into the list. I wouldn’t mind seeing this list grow and we’d be able to learn from each other; that is the purpose of The Lounge, right?
I’ll be taking the next 12 days off to enjoy the Holy Day and holiday. Until then, may you, your family, and friends have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Virtual hugs for all. (I almost forgot to give a big thanks to PhiloDave – thanks for the time and space on The Lounge Blog Master!)
May you give with love. May you receive with love.
The Harold Lounge 