Monthly Archives: December 2011

Happy Almost New Year!

I hope you all are gearing up for some New Year festivities! I am relaxing, giving much love to the dog and of course reading, but giving myself a short break from posting until it’s 2012. See you next year!

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The Very Best Hanukkah Gift

If you know author Joanne Rocklin from Strudel Stories please don’t get your hopes up too far. While Streudel Stories is a lovely set of short stories about different generations of a Jewish family, this is really just a “for … Continue reading

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Hanukkah Moon

Hanukkah Moon by Deborah de Costa This Hanukkah book is just lovely.  Isobel is worried about spending Hanukkah with her Aunt Luisa.  Things will be different there than at home.  But Isobel soon learns that her Aunt’s way of celebrating … Continue reading

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Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah

Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah by Linda Glaser This is the sequel to The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes which I reviewed last year.  It’s a good follow up, with a similar story line.  This time Rachel invites herself over to Mrs. Greenberg’s … Continue reading

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What to Buy: For the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Fan

It’s been no secret around here that I am personally not a fan of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. (Want to know more about why?  Click here and here.)  But I can acknowledge that they are huge with … Continue reading

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Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite (Nutcracker Part 7)

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite by Anna Harwell Celenza When I ordered this from the library, I was remembering that The Harlem Nutcracker had been created using Ellington’s version of the Nutcracker Suite as its core music.  I hoped this book … Continue reading

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What to Buy: Books for Teen Girls

I don’t know about you, but my weekend agenda includes more than a little holiday shopping.  If your list includes any teen girls, I have just what you’re looking for: some of my favorites, complete with links so that you … Continue reading

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The Nutcracker (Part 6)

The Nutcracker by Alison Jay This version of The Nutcracker is based on the ballet and will serve well as a preview for anyone planning on going to a performance.  The language is also fairly simple to allow younger children … Continue reading

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Nutcracker (Part 5)

The Nutcracker by Michael Hague Michael Hague is in the big leagues when it comes to illustrators. In fact, he’s done illustrations for any number of classics; his works can be seen in editions of everything from Peter Pan to … Continue reading

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‘Tis the Season

I am so sorry for my prolonged absence.  Sometimes my actual life gets in the way.  This December I’ll be (of course) offering some seasonal reviews.  To get the ball rolling, here’s a brief Nutcracker recap from last year,  I … Continue reading

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