giving the gift of reading this holiday season :: sleeping bear press

Over the years my kids have found many different types of Christmas gifts under the tree, but one gift they always receive is the gift of reading. As quickly as they outgrow clothes, break toys, or lose interest in an electronic device, they always enjoy their books for the whole year and will frequently go back to read favorites. Whatever your family traditions are to include books I have some great new titles from our friends at Sleeping Bear Press to add to your library.

If you’re kiddos enjoy true stories from history, flying, Amelia Earhart, or reading about people overcoming extraordinary odds then Aim for the Skies: Jerrie Mock and Joan Merriam Smith’s Race to Complete Amelia Earhart’s Quest is a book you must check out! Written by Aimée Bissonette and illustrated by Doris Ettlinger this book tells the real life story of two seemingly ordinary American women who never met or planned on competing, but who ended up in a race to fly around the world.

As an added bonus the Author’s Notes in the back of the book give additional detail about these two amazing women and even provides a list of additional reading materials for curious minds who want to learn more about Jerry and Joan!

As we are quickly making the transition from one season to another I’ve enjoyed reading the flowing rhymes from Four Season of Fun: Egg Hunts! Fireworks! Pumpkins! Reindeer! to my kids. Written by Pamela Duncan Edwards with illustrations by Sylvia Daigneault the four seasons are beautifully depicted with a changing apple tree and reminders of all the fun you see, hear, and experience during each season. My kids enjoy being reminded of the fun they will find in the coming season and the things they miss from the seasons that have just passed.

Lastly I have a fun and musically inclined Christmas story to share. In A Tuba Christmas we meet Ava. Ava’s family are all musicians and when it comes to be her turn to pick an instrument she sets her heart on playing the tuba – which comes with some challenges! Written by Helen L. Wilbur and illustrated by Mary Reeves Uhles, this fun story can easily translate to teaching kids about staying true to themselves, being unique, and sticking with something even when it may seem difficult.

What new titles will you be adding to your library this holiday season?