If you haven’t stopped in to a Delaware County District Library location recently, you are in for a treat when you do. All of our branches are decked out in their holiday best and it’s a beautiful sight to see. From handmade snowflakes to twinkling lights, it’s hard to walk in and not feel cozy and ready for the holidays.
Each of our branches has a group of talented individuals who put their creative and artistic efforts together to dress up the library. On display at the Powell branch library, you’ll find an Olaf (from “Frozen”) made from books; at the Delaware main library we have a fireplace made from books; the Ostrander branch library has lined their bookshelves with some snowy city silhouettes; and the Orange branch library has also created a fireplace and mantel to display some holiday classics.
We also want to give honor to many of the world religions and celebrations this month. That’s why you’ll see on display at our main library a Nativity scene, a menorah and a Kwanzaa Mkeka (mat) and Mishumaa Saba (candle holder with seven candles).
If you’d like to explore some of the traditions of these holidays with the children in your family, our youth services staff has compiled a great list of picture books for the holiday season. I hope you enjoy their recommendations.
Hanukkah (Dec. 6-14):
• “Honeyky Hanukah” by Woody Guthrie, illustrated by Dave Horowitz. A family celebrates Hanukkah with latkes, hugs, kisses and dancing in this book with a CD featuring music by Woody Guthrie.
• “Hanukkah Bear” by Eric Kimmel, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Bubba Brayna has invited the rabbi to join her for Hanukkah dinner, but someone else shows up instead.
• “The Eighth Menorah” by Lauren Wohl, illustrated by Lauren Hughes. Sam is reluctant to make a menorah because his family already owns seven but, after a conversation with his grandmother, he figures out how to make a perfect Hanukkah gift.
• “Chanukah Lights” by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Robert Sabuda. A great gift book with outstanding pop-up illustrations.
Christmas (Dec. 25):
• “First Dog’s White House Christmas” by Patrick Lewis and Beth Zappitello. The dog that lives at the White House invites international guests to a Christmas party, where they share holiday customs from their respective countries.
• “I’m Not Santa!” By Jonathan Allen. When Baby Hare mistakes Baby Owl for Santa Claus, it takes a visit from St. Nick himself to straighten things out.
• “The Child in the Manger” by Liesbet Slegers. An illustrated retelling of the birth of Jesus, following Mary and Joseph on their journey to the city of Bethlehem, where she gives birth.
Kwanzaa (Dec. 26-Jan. 1):
• “Seven Spools of Thread” by Angela Medearis. When they are given the seemingly impossible task of turning thread into gold, seven brothers put aside their differences, learn to get along and embody the principles of Kwanzaa.
• “It’s Beginning to Look at Lot Like Kwanzaa!” by Rex Perry. An African-American boy and his family celebrate Kwanzaa in a rhyming text inspired by the popular Christmas song.
• “Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa” by Donna Washington. L’il Rabbit searches for a gift for his grandmother when she is sick during Kwanzaa and surprises her with the best gift of all.
