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Religion and Belief


Christmas in Camelot (Magic Tree House Series #29) - Book Cover

Christmas in Camelot (Magic Tree House Series #29)

Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Tags: Christmas, Grade: 1, Grade: 2, Grade: 3, Grade: K, Holidays, Religion and Belief

At the outset of this novel, the intrepid Jack and Annie are invited to come to Camelot for Christmas Eve. Without a research book for the first time ever, the two kids set off in the Magic Tree House. No sooner do they arrive at the castle, when a dark knight appears and freezes King Arthur and all his court- including Jack and Annie’s friend Morgan le Fay. Jack and Annie set off to the Otherworld to find the Cauldron of Poetry and imagination, which is the only thing that can save Camelot.

Great Joy - Book Cover

Great Joy

Author: Kate DiCamillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Tags: Christmas, Grade: 1, Grade: 2, Grade: 3, Grade: K, Religion and Belief

It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on the street corner outside Frances’s apartment. Frances can see them from her window and, sometimes, when it’s quiet, she can hear their music. In fact, Frances can’t stop thinking about them, especially after she sees the man and his monkey sleeping outside on the cold street at midnight. When the day of the Christmas pageant arrives, and it’s Frances’s turn to speak, everyone waits silently. But all Frances can think about is the organ grinder’s sad eyes — until, just in time, she finds the perfect words to share. Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo pairs once again with acclaimed artist Bagram Ibatoulline as she presents a timeless story of compassion and joy.

Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told By a Cat - Book Cover

Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told By a Cat

With a colorful and sometimes amusing language, the author makes this funny cat tell us about the life of the young Joseph all the way up to his election as Pontiff on April 19, 2005. It recounts the Nazi era in Germany when the Pope was a teenager, calling the war years “one of the most dramatic and shameful times in the history of man”. Later when he became Cardinal Ratzinger, Chico recounts how each time when the Cardinal returned to Germany from Rome for a vacation, the cat would run into his house and sit on his lap as he played the piano.

The Night Before Christmas - Book Cover

The Night Before Christmas

Author: Clement Clarke Moore
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Tags: Christmas, Grade: 1, Grade: K, Holidays, Religion and Belief

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”

These familiar words have never before been illustrated with such style. Magnificent paintings by American artist Richard Jesse Watson infuse traditional images with pizzazz and flair. From cozy interiors to snowy landscapes, each scene is packed with the details of Christmas. Watch for the remarkable cast of elves who populate these pages. Best of all, see Santa Claus himself as you’ve never seen him before, complete with an exclusive interview.

Spilling over with all the joy and generosity of the season, here is an edition of Clement C. Moore’s classic Christmas poem that is perfect for families of today. Ho! Ho! Ho!

The Velveteen Rabbit - Book Cover

The Velveteen Rabbit

Author: Margery Williams
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Tags: Grade: 1, Grade: 2, Grade: K, Religion and Belief

This adaptation of Margery Williams’s treasured childhood classic tells how a toy rabbit learns what it means to be loved by a child–and how toys become “Real.” This book will bring kids hours of fun as they read the engaging story and color in the pictures.

What Zeesie Saw on Delancey Street - Book Cover

What Zeesie Saw on Delancey Street

Author: Elsa Okon Rael
Publisher: Aladdin, 2000
Tags: Grade: 1, Grade: 2, Grade: 3, Religion and Belief

Zeesie sees a mitzvah (a good deed) on Delancey Street when her neighborhood holds a “package party” to auction their finest homemade Jewish dishes — kugel, tsimmes, and others. The money they raise brings Jewish emigrants to America. But when Zeesie peeks into a special “money room” she discovers that it isn’t filled with piles of money and treasures. People go in this room to leave spare shekels if they have them and take a bit of money when they need it. This book (which includes a Yiddish glossary) teaches kids that people can have a good time while doing good things.

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