Building New Traditions through Books
by Crystal Hicks, Collection Services Manager
One of my favorite parts of being a parent is building new traditions with my child. There are many opportunities throughout the year as seasons change and birthdays come, but winter traditions are some of the most fun to me. During a season that’s bitterly cold, it’s nice to create some brightness and warmth through meaningful family time and shared activities.
The list below includes books that have inspired new traditions in my household (crafts, cooking and baking, and of course reading), which I hope we continue for many years. All book summaries are taken from the Manhattan Public Library’s online catalog.
“Thankful” written by Elaine Vickers, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
Children’s Picture Books
“’I am thankful for a home where I am safe and warm. Thankful for parents who read me stories and comb my hair gently, gently. Who whisper the same poem every night when they tuck me in.’
“When the first snow falls, a little girl writes down the things she’s thankful for on strips of paper and links them together. As one idea leads to another, her chain grows longer. There’s so much good in her life: a friend, things that are warm, things that are cold, color, things that can be fixed. This beautiful story is a much-needed reminder to observe and honor life’s small joys.”
“The Shortest Day” written by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Carson Ellis
Children’s Holidays Neighborhood
“A celebration of the winter solstice and the Yuletide season. As the sun set on the shortest day of the year, early people would gather to prepare for the long night ahead. They built fires and lit candles. They played music, bringing their own light to the darkness, while wondering if the sun would ever rise again. Written for a theatrical production that has become a ritual in itself, Susan Cooper’s poem ‘The Shortest Day’ captures the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before—and the hope for peace that we carry into the future. Richly illustrated by Carson Ellis with a universality that spans the centuries, this beautiful book evokes the joy and community found in the ongoing mystery of life when we celebrate light, thankfulness, and festivity at a time of rebirth. Welcome Yule!”
“Penguin’s Christmas Wish” by Salina Yoon
Children’s Holidays Neighborhood
“Penguin can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with his family and friends. But when things don’t go exactly as planned, Penguin learns to find holiday magic in the most unexpected places.”
“My First Cookbook” by America’s Test Kitchen
Children’s Nonfiction
“Cooking is not only fun, it’s a powerful learning tool. It’s an amazing way to learn about the world. But even more important, cooking is one of the best ways to spend time together. In the kitchen, your family can leave screens (and worries) behind and enjoy making something delicious to share. What the young chef or the grown-up takes on will differ depending on age, ability, and interest. Don’t be afraid to try new things or to make mistakes. The good news is that the results will be tasty no matter how you get there. All the recipes in this book are kid tested and kid approved. This means that thousands(!) of kids (and their grown-ups) across the country tested these recipes at home, giving us feedback to help make sure that everything we publish is as delicious and doable as possible. Happy cooking!”
“Dorie’s Cookies” by Dorie Greenspan
Adult Nonfiction
“Over the course of her baking career, Dorie Greenspan has created more than 300 cookie recipes. Yet she has never written a book about them—until now. To merit her ‘three purple stars of approval,’ every cookie had to be so special that it begged to be made again and again. Cookies for every taste and occasion are here. There are company treats like Portofignos, with chocolate dough and port-soaked figs, and lunch-box Blueberry Buttermilk Pie Bars. They Might Be Breakfast Cookies are packed with goodies—raisins, dried apples, dried cranberries, and oats—while Almond Crackle Cookies have just three ingredients. There are dozens of choices for the Christmas cookie swaps, including Little Rascals (German jam sandwich cookies with walnuts), Italian Saucissons (chocolate log cookies studded with dried fruit), and Snowy-Topped Brownie Drops. And who but America’s favorite baker could devise a cookie as intriguing as Pink-Peppercorn Thumbprints or as popular as the World Peace Cookie, with its 59 million Internet fans?”
I hope you can stop by to find some books that bring warmth to your holiday season, either by supporting your family traditions or by giving you a fun break from the hustle and bustle.
Manhattan Public Library is a cornerstone of free and equal access to a world of ideas and information for the Manhattan, Kansas, community. Learn more at mhklibrary.org.