I like “bookend” plots that start in one place and then circle back to the beginning of things. I like January and December because they bookend the year. And I like bookends – the real thing – because they’re useful when you have as many books as I do.
Here are some books you might want to put between someone’s bookends for Christmas...
For the pre-schoolers on your list…
- Books Always Everywhere by Jane Blatt; Illustrated by Sarah Massini (Random House, 2013). The word “book” is on every two-page spread and the illustrations show pretend things books can be (hats, chairs), places to read books, and the kinds of stories books can tell (scary, funny). Great for pointing to simple words, talking about opposites, and, of course, promoting a love of books. More information…
- Pocketful of Posies selected and illustrated by Salley Mavor (Houghton Mifflin, 2010). One great collection of nursery rhymes with the most clever and engaging illustrations I’ve seen in a long time. See my review…
For the 3-7 age group…
- Where’s My T-R-U-C-K? by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow. Some books just read well, over and over and over and over again. This is one I love to share with a group. See my review…
- Maggie’s Monkeys by Linda Sanders-Wells, illustrated by Abby Carter (Candlewick Press, 2009). An irritated big brother has a change of heart about the monkeys living in the refrigerator. See my review…
For the 7-10 age group…
- Just Fine the Way They Are by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge, illustrated by Richard Walz (Calkins Creek, 2013). Take a 200-year run through the history of transportation in the United States. See a one-minute trailer…
For Junior high, high school and adult readers…
- The Brave Escape of Edith Wharton by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge (Clarion, 2010). A great doorway into literary classics is story of the lives of the people who wrote them. Check out my biography of one of the most intelligent, determined, and adventurous authors of the early 20th century. See a one-minute trailer…
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Author
Biography | View
- Just Fine They Way They Are (Calkins Creek, March 1, 2011)
- The Brave Escape of Edith Wharton (Clarion Books, 2010)
- Thank You Very Much, Captain Ericsson! (Holiday House, 2005; Berndtsdotter Books, 2012)
- When Esther Morris Headed West (Holiday House, 2001)
- The Legend of Strap Buckner (Holiday House, 2001)
- Wicked Jack (Holiday House, 1995)
Speaker / Presenter
Connie is an experienced speaker and presenter who enjoys sharing her passion for writing and her experience as a writer with readers and writers of all ages. She has presented to students, community, civic and professional organizations, writing groups, library audiences, and seniors – wherever book lovers gather!