Orange Marmalade

If you’ve got a young bookworm who would love a short Christmas read, or are looking for a short read-aloud for the holidays, here are a couple suggestions:

Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke, illustrated by Lauren Tobia
first American edition published in 2011 by Kane Miller

Anna Hibiscus is our favorite little Nigerian girl.

This Christmas, she’s flying to Canada to visit her grandmother for the holidays. It’s the first time Anna will meet her. And it’s also the first time she’ll come face to face with snow!

In fact, there’s newness everywhere Anna turns, from Grandma’s quiet home instead of her boisterous, extended family, to dogs that live inside houses and chocolate cereal for breakfast! 

Although Anna does miss home, she quickly feels happy and comfy in this new, cold land and has quite a merry time on her Canadian holiday. A joyous read for independent readers age 7 or 8, or as a read-aloud for ages 4 and up. 109 pages with charming black-and-white illustrations.

Warton’s Christmas Eve Adventure, by Russell E. Erickson, illustrated by Lawrence Di Fiori
published in 1977 by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.

I love Warton and Morton, the two toad brothers with a knack for falling into adventure.

It is Christmas. Morton is exceedingly busy in the kitchen with all his baking, so Warton gets fidgety. He decides to manufacture some ice skates and give ’em a go while he waits for Christmas Eve.

However, Warton has not reckoned on a blizzard, a little lost mole, and one large and grouchy bear. All of which add up to a cold, anxious, and hazardous escapade.

When all is said and done, Christmas Eve is celebrated with gusto, and one grumpus of a bear learns what a lovely thing a bit of kindness can be.

I wish they would bring these books back in print. My kids loved every Warton and Morton story. Great read-aloud for ages 5 and up, or independent read for ages 7 and up. 95 pages with di Fiori’s wonderful and warty ink drawings.