Holiday Reading   Tags: christmas, fiction, fun, hanukkah, holiday, kwanzaa, reading  

As a companion volume to her poetry collections about earth and about water, Marilyn Singer now examines the nature of fire, an overlooked subject in the realms of poetry. From forest fires and prairie fires to the fires on backyard grills; from chili peppers to birthday candles; to jack-o-lanterns, menorahs, Christmas lights, and holidays around the earth; to dragons who provide their own central heating₇these lyrical poems present a fresh and insightful view of fire of all kinds. Meilo So combines strong linocut art with her signature brushwork in striking illustrations reproduced in fire-red. From the Hardcover edition.

A version in Cajun dialect of the famous poem "The Night Before Christmas," set in a Louisiana bayou.

In 1863, a sixteen-year-old boy nicknamed Scrib travels around the West making his living writing and delivering letters, an occupation that leads to him nearly getting killed, being jailed as a criminal, joining up with the notorious Crazy James Kincaid, and delivering a letter from President Abraham Lincoln to a Paiute Indian.

The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant.

The six horrible Herdmans, the worst kids in the history of the world, cause mayhem throughout the school year.

After her father returns from the war moody and tired, Marly's family decides to move from the city to Maple Hill Farm in the Pennsylvania countryside where they share many adventures which help restore their spirits and their bond with each other.

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

An old woman who was too busy to travel with the Wise Men to find the Child now searches endlessly for Him each Christmas season.

A Jolly Postman delivers Christmas cards to several famous fairy-tale characters. Each card may be removed from its envelope page and read separately.

The Grinch tries to stop Christmas from arriving by stealing all the presents and food from the village, but much to his surprise it comes anyway.

A family reunion brings together warring women. The reunion is called by Josie Tatternall, the 70-year-old widow of a Southern military man. She invites her three daughters and their families for Christmas and the novel describes the fireworks and--in due course--a happy ending.

Entwines the classic fairy tale of the little match girl with a story of Frederik, whose mother is seamstress to the queen and who spends many evenings crafting a village in the attic of their small, cold home.

The New York Times "bestselling author of The Christmas Box" returns with a holiday novel of hope, love, and redemption as a husband is given the opportunity to confront his own legacy.