Baltimore's Child Baltimore's Child
The holiday season is here! That means cozy reads to share with family, friends and loved ones. These books from Baltimore County Public Libraries will get you in a joyful spirit, no matter which holidays you celebrate!
Board Books
“Loving Kindness…Happy Feelings for Little Ones” by Whitney Stewart
This multicultural board book provides specific tasks that toddlers can do to feel loved and to love others, such as using kind words and gentle hands when they play. Simple words and vivid illustrations show toddlers how to be empathetic and mindful.
“A Great Day for Hug” by Mack Van Gageldonk
Chick is adorable! Lap babies will enjoy the simple sweet pictures of the farm animals. Just like chick, babies will discover that giving hugs is something they can do to make others feel good.
Picture Books
“Good Morning, Neighbor” by Davide Cali and Maria Dek
A mouse wanted to make an omelet, but he did not have an egg. He went on a quest to find a neighbor who had an egg to share. Each animal had a different ingredient to offer so they decided to make a cake. With the help of Owl’s stove, they made a delicious cake shared by all. The value of community and sharing are the theme in this delightful story.
“The Gift” by Alan Dzopat
A cheetah cub’s father gives him a pen as a gift and tells him that inside the pen there are many more gifts. A cast of amusing characters try to help cheetah open the pen to discover the mystery inside. Unsuccessful, he finally asks his mother to help him. As she helps him move the pen on the paper, the cheetah discovers that he can create words and draw art. A delightful book to teach children that we all have talents to be discovered.
Elementary
“No Ordinary Thing” by G.Z. Schmidt
Adam is a very shy poor boy who lost his parents in a plane crash and is living with his uncle, a baker in New York City. One day, a jolly man stops by the bakery and tells Adam there is something in the attic that will change his life. He finds a snow globe that transforms him back into time. The story will keep you captivated until the end. How does the parallel story about a magician, an odd man who follows Adam around, and the people Adam befriends in his time travel tie together?
“Uniquely Wired” by Julia Cook, Illustrated by Anita Defalla
Children with autism have unique gifts and viewpoints. Zak helps us understand how he processes information and responds to sounds and touches. Just as important, Zak tells us about the gifts he has to offer. Larger text with various font sizes, cartoon like characters and large illustrations makes it an easy read for early elementary aged children. Also included are tips for adults on how to understand children with autism. The author provides examples of autistic traits for those on a certain spectrum of autism.
Middle
“One Jar of Magic” by Corey Ann Haydu
Rose Alice Anders is Little Luck. Lucky to be born into the Anders family. Lucky to be just as special and magical as the most revered man in town—her father. The whole town has been waiting for Rose to turn twelve, when she can join them in their annual capturing of magic on New Year’s Day and become the person she was born to be.
But when that special day finally comes, Rose barely captures one tiny jar of magic. Now Rose’s dad won’t talk to her anymore and her friendships have gotten all twisted and wrong. So, when Rose hears whispers that there are people who aren’t meant for magic at all, she begins to wonder if that’s who she belongs with.
Maybe if she’s away from all the magic, away from her dad telling her who she’s meant to be, who she has to be, Rose can begin to piece together what’s truly real in a world full of magic.
“Krampus Confidential” by Kyle Sullivan
It’s almost Christmas, but the nights in Tinseltown are anything but silent.
Ruprecht, a twelve-year-old krampus and wannabe detective, gets more than he bargained for when he takes the case of a terrified elf. Finding himself at the top of the Tinseltown Police Department’s naughty list, Ruprecht is joined by his best friend, a ghost named Marley, to explore the underbelly of this festive but gritty metropolis, solve the mystery, and clear his name for good.
Teen
“Eight Nights of Flirting” by Hannah Reynolds
Shira Barbanel has a plan: this Hanukkah, she’s going to get a boyfriend. And she has the perfect candidate in mind—her great-uncle’s assistant, Isaac. He’s reliable, brilliant, and of course, super hot. The only problem? Shira’s an absolute disaster when it comes to flirting.
Enter Tyler Nelson, Shira’s nemesis-slash-former-crush. As much as she hates to admit it, Tyler is the most charming and popular guy she knows. Which means he’s the perfect person to teach her how to win Isaac over.
When Shira and Tyler get snowed in together at Golden Doors, they strike a deal—flirting lessons for Shira in exchange for career connections for Tyler. But as Shira starts to see the sweet, funny boy beneath Tyler’s playboy exterior, she realizes she actually likes hanging out with him. And that wasn’t part of the plan.
Amidst a whirl of snowy adventures, hot chocolate, and candlelight, Shira must learn to trust her heart to discover if the romance she planned is really the one that will make her happiest.
“A Castle in the Clouds” by Kersten Gier
Way up in the Swiss mountains, there’s an old grand hotel steeped in tradition and faded splendor. Once a year, when the famous New Year’s Eve Ball takes place and guests from all over the world arrive, excitement returns to the vast hallways.
Sophie, who works at the hotel as an intern, is busy making sure that everything goes according to plan. But unexpected problems keep arising, and some of the guests are not who they pretend to be. Very soon, Sophie finds herself right in the middle of a perilous adventure―and at risk of losing not only her job, but also her heart.
