Youngest Readers (Toddlers to Kindergarten) 

ANANSI'S PARTY TIME
Written by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Janet Stevens (Holiday House)
Anansi is always ready for a party - especially when there is food involved.  When you are around Anansi, you can also be sure to count on some laughs. 

DRUMMER BOY
Written and illustrated by Loren Long (Philomel)
This charming story is reminiscent of Hans Christian Andersen's Steadfast Tin Soldier.  In this book, the toy drummer boy has quite an adventure before returning to his owner. 

TEN LITTLE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
Written and illustrated by Jean Marzollo (Scholastic)
All the forest animals receive the perfect gift from a Secret Santa in this delightful rhyming countdown book.

For Readers (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade) 

I SEE SANTA EVERYWHERE
Written and illustrated by Glenn McCoy (Hyperion)
Have you ever wondered why Santa seems to know everything going on in your life? Read this book to discover that you are not the only one trying to solve the mystery that has been stumping children for decades. 

10 THINGS I CAN DO TO HELP MY WORLD
Written and illustrated by Melanie Walsh (Candlewick Press)
With the economic uncertainty this holiday season, children and their families might think about giving something that reflects earth stewardship. This book has a few ideas to get you thinking. 

WHAT DOES MRS. CLAUS DO?
Written by Kate Wharton, illustrated by Christian Slade (Tricycle Press)
We all know Santa spends Christmas Eve making lists, checking them twice, reining in reindeer, leaving gifts for the "nice." But what about Mrs. Claus?  Kate Wharton weaves a modern tale about the ways Santa's better half might occupy herself while her husband navigates chimneys and stuffs the stockings.

For Readers (3rd to 6th Grade)       

THE SNOW QUEEN
Written by Hans Christian Andersen, adapted by Naomi Lewis, illustrated by Christian Birmingham (Candlewick Press)
If you have never read The Snow Queen, written by Andersen, this retelling by Naomi Lewis is worth exploring. Keep a sweater handy because the amazing illustrations will help you feel the cold. 

THE WAY WE WORK: GETTING TO KNOW THE AMAZING HUMAN BODY
Written and illustrated by David Macaulay (Houghton Mifflin)
Caldecott-winning illustrator David Macaulay brings us another amazingly detailed book, this time looking at how our body functions. The Way We Work would make a good reference tool for homes, schools, and pediatric offices. 

PEACE JAM: A BILLION SIMPLE ACTS OF PEACE
Written by Ivan Suvanjieff and Dawn Gifford Engle (Penguin)
Peace has become a universal theme. Perhaps this season, readers of this book will become inspired to try one or more of the countless peaceful actions found all over the world.