Additional December Book Suggestions - Grades K-3
Generosity and Charity
Best, Cari. Three Cheers for Catherine the Great.
Illustrated by Giselle Potter.SquareFish, 2003 (K-2)
Sarah’s Russian immigrant grandmother, Catherine, announces she wants “no presents” for her birthday celebration. Sarah struggles to think of a present that she could give, but not buy. She watches her grandmother’s every move and decides that helping her to read and write English would be the greatest gift. An endearing story of gifts that come from the heart, of the struggles of immigrant life, and of a child’s desire to give.
Bruchac, Joseph. Gluskabe and the Four Wishes.
Illustrated by Christine Nyburg Shrader. Dutton Child Books, 1995. (3)
Abenaki tale in which selfishness and pride bring about downfall.
Cooney, Barbara. Miss Rumphius.
Puffin Books, 1994. (K-3)
Touching story of a woman set on giving something back to the world, making the world more beautiful.
DePaola, Tomie. The Legend of Bluebonnet.
Putnam Publishing Group, 1996. (1, 3) A Plains Indian girl offers her favorite doll to the gods as a way of ending the drought and famine threatening her people.
Jaffe, Nina. In the Month of Kislev: A Story for Hanukkah.
Illustrated by Louise August. Puffin, 1995. (2-6)
Impoverished Mendel the Peddler and his children, along with a wise rabbi teach their wealthy and not-very-generous neighbor the meaning of charity. Humorous and wise.
Killilea, Marie. Newf.
Illustrated by Ian Schoenherr. Putnam Publishing Group, 1992. (K-1)
Newfoundland hound befriends and rescues small feline friend. Illustrations too beautiful for words.
Kimmel, Eric. “The Samovar” in Days of Awe.
Viking Child Books, 1991. (2-6)
A mysterious vagabond asks an old woman to care for his special silver urn (“samovar”) while he is gone. She does so at personal cost and inconvenience, but in the end is rewarded for her selflessness. A Jewish folk tale that embodies the virtue of charity.
Penn, Malka. Miracle of Potato Latkes.
Illustrated by Giora Carmi. Holiday, 1994. (K-4)
Poor woman opens her home to those in need and finds her latkes multiply.
Sabuda, Robert. The Blizzard’s Robe. Simon and Schuster, 1999. (K-3)
Sabuda’s stunning artwork and deft prose bring to life this Arctic legend of the origin of the northern lights. In the midst of a storm, Teune, a young robemaker, saves her Arctic tribe by building a great fire. In the process she angers the god Blizzard whose robe she burns. He cries out to her at night, pleads for a replacement, and promises a rich reward for a new robe. Risking the anger of her people, Teune makes him a fine robe, and he in turn provides the gift of the Aurora Borealis for this “People Who Fear the Winter Night.” Using a deep, vibrant palette and batik technique, Sabuda tells the story of compassion, generosity, and wonder.
Tazewell, Charles. The Littlest Angel.
Illustrated by Paul Micich. Ideals, 1991. (2-4)
The smallest angel in heaven gives up his most prized possession as a gift for the Christ child.
Yep, Laurence. Tiger Woman.
Illustrated by Robert Roth. Bridge Water Books, 1995. (2-6)
A beggar approaches a selfish, old woman in the market and asks for some of her food. She replies: “I’m a tiger when I’m famished, so be gone! Old beggar vanish!” Her words come true! He vanishes and she turns into a tiger! A delightful and whimsical Shantung folk tale that speaks to many degrees of charity.
Yolen, Jane. Tea With an Old Dragon: A Story of Sophia Smith, Founder of Smith College. Illustrated by Monica Vachula. Boyds Mills Press, 1998. (K-3)
Five-year-old Louisa hears that “the old dragon is coming!” and doesn’t run away. Instead she sets out to find her. Louisa is surprised to discover that seventy-one-year-old Sophia Smith is “the old dragon!” This charming story of a crotchety old lady, who nonetheless opens her home to a little girl, encourages her to take piano lessons, and urges her to learn more than counting and embroidery, is a lovely testimony to both independence of mind and generosity of spirit.
Service
Singer, Isaac Bashevis. Elijah the Slave.
Illustrated by Antonio Frasconi. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1970. (2-4)
Poor Tobias goes to the city to seek his family’s fortune. He meets the prophet Elijah, who offers his assistance if Tobias sells him as a slave. Reverent Tobias protests, but humble Elijah insists. Humble service to others brings about a happy ending.
Best, Cari. Three Cheers for Catherine the Great.
Illustrated by Giselle Potter.SquareFish, 2003 (K-2)
Sarah’s Russian immigrant grandmother, Catherine, announces she wants “no presents” for her birthday celebration. Sarah struggles to think of a present that she could give, but not buy. She watches her grandmother’s every move and decides that helping her to read and write English would be the greatest gift. An endearing story of gifts that come from the heart, of the struggles of immigrant life, and of a child’s desire to give.
Bruchac, Joseph. Gluskabe and the Four Wishes.
Illustrated by Christine Nyburg Shrader. Dutton Child Books, 1995. (3)
Abenaki tale in which selfishness and pride bring about downfall.
Cooney, Barbara. Miss Rumphius.
Puffin Books, 1994. (K-3)
Touching story of a woman set on giving something back to the world, making the world more beautiful.
DePaola, Tomie. The Legend of Bluebonnet.
Putnam Publishing Group, 1996. (1, 3) A Plains Indian girl offers her favorite doll to the gods as a way of ending the drought and famine threatening her people.
Jaffe, Nina. In the Month of Kislev: A Story for Hanukkah.
Illustrated by Louise August. Puffin, 1995. (2-6)
Impoverished Mendel the Peddler and his children, along with a wise rabbi teach their wealthy and not-very-generous neighbor the meaning of charity. Humorous and wise.
Killilea, Marie. Newf.
Illustrated by Ian Schoenherr. Putnam Publishing Group, 1992. (K-1)
Newfoundland hound befriends and rescues small feline friend. Illustrations too beautiful for words.
Kimmel, Eric. “The Samovar” in Days of Awe.
Viking Child Books, 1991. (2-6)
A mysterious vagabond asks an old woman to care for his special silver urn (“samovar”) while he is gone. She does so at personal cost and inconvenience, but in the end is rewarded for her selflessness. A Jewish folk tale that embodies the virtue of charity.
Penn, Malka. Miracle of Potato Latkes.
Illustrated by Giora Carmi. Holiday, 1994. (K-4)
Poor woman opens her home to those in need and finds her latkes multiply.
Sabuda, Robert. The Blizzard’s Robe. Simon and Schuster, 1999. (K-3)
Sabuda’s stunning artwork and deft prose bring to life this Arctic legend of the origin of the northern lights. In the midst of a storm, Teune, a young robemaker, saves her Arctic tribe by building a great fire. In the process she angers the god Blizzard whose robe she burns. He cries out to her at night, pleads for a replacement, and promises a rich reward for a new robe. Risking the anger of her people, Teune makes him a fine robe, and he in turn provides the gift of the Aurora Borealis for this “People Who Fear the Winter Night.” Using a deep, vibrant palette and batik technique, Sabuda tells the story of compassion, generosity, and wonder.
Tazewell, Charles. The Littlest Angel.
Illustrated by Paul Micich. Ideals, 1991. (2-4)
The smallest angel in heaven gives up his most prized possession as a gift for the Christ child.
Yep, Laurence. Tiger Woman.
Illustrated by Robert Roth. Bridge Water Books, 1995. (2-6)
A beggar approaches a selfish, old woman in the market and asks for some of her food. She replies: “I’m a tiger when I’m famished, so be gone! Old beggar vanish!” Her words come true! He vanishes and she turns into a tiger! A delightful and whimsical Shantung folk tale that speaks to many degrees of charity.
Yolen, Jane. Tea With an Old Dragon: A Story of Sophia Smith, Founder of Smith College. Illustrated by Monica Vachula. Boyds Mills Press, 1998. (K-3)
Five-year-old Louisa hears that “the old dragon is coming!” and doesn’t run away. Instead she sets out to find her. Louisa is surprised to discover that seventy-one-year-old Sophia Smith is “the old dragon!” This charming story of a crotchety old lady, who nonetheless opens her home to a little girl, encourages her to take piano lessons, and urges her to learn more than counting and embroidery, is a lovely testimony to both independence of mind and generosity of spirit.
Service
Singer, Isaac Bashevis. Elijah the Slave.
Illustrated by Antonio Frasconi. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1970. (2-4)
Poor Tobias goes to the city to seek his family’s fortune. He meets the prophet Elijah, who offers his assistance if Tobias sells him as a slave. Reverent Tobias protests, but humble Elijah insists. Humble service to others brings about a happy ending.