Bourke, Tina 2006, It's Christmas, Viking, Camberwell, Vic.
This simple book captures the joy and excitement of Christmas from the perspective of young children. Emerging readers will enjoy the success of reading this book independently. Bright, clear and appealing illustrations capture children involved in cooking, singing Christmas carols, making decorations, buying and making gifts, decorating the tree and hanging the stocking, until nothing is left to do but ... wait. It could be used to explore the common elements of celebrations in Studies of Society and Environment (Culture and Identity, Foundation - Level 1).
Carle, Eric 2000 Dream snow, Philomel, New York.
His dreaming of the coming of Christmas breaks a farmer's mundane routine.
Snowflakes painted on transparencies obscure the shapes of the animals beneath
and children will enjoy predicting which animals are hidden. Use for Studies
of Society and Environment, Time, Continuity and Change, Foundation Level
and Level 1 and for Culture and Identity, Foundation Level and Level 1.
Daly, Niki 2001, What's cooking, Jamela?, Frances Lincoln,
London.
The cover illustration holds clues for predictions of the plot. Action centres
round the fate of 'Christmas', the chicken for Christmas dinner. Jamela,
the youngest family member, grows very fond of Christmas and will do anything
to save her friend from the chop. Use for Studies of Society and Environment,
Time, Continuity and Change, Foundation Level and Level 1 and Culture and
Identity, Foundation Level and Level 1.
Dodd, Lynley 2006, Slinky Malinki's Christmas crackers, ABC Books, Sydney.
Unable to resist the 'glimmering, shimmering' baubles and trinkets on the family Christmas tree, Slinky Malinki the cat creates a fine mess of tinsel and bows. Amidst the mayhem of strewn bells and tinsel, the fairy disappears. Alliteration and assonance enrich a text designed to entertain newly emergent readers as they practise their skills. It is also ideal for reading aloud. Full-page line-and-wash illustrations complement the text. The poetic verse offers a wonderful language experience with its expansive vocabulary and vivid imagery (English, Reading and Viewing, Foundation - Level 2).
Holabird, Katharine 2003, Angelina's Christmas , ABC Books, Sydney.
Lovingly told, this Christmas story brings to life the true spirit of giving at Christmas time. Angelina and her cousin Henry are mice preparing for Christmas celebrations. When Angelina notices old Mr Bell, the retired postman, alone and huddled by the warmth of his fire, Angelina's heart goes out to him. Angelina, her father and Henry prepare and deliver a basket of Christmas treats and a Christmas tree to Mr Bell. The soft, petite and detailed illustrations help carry much of the Christmas atmosphere created in this story.
Kamols, MaryAnne; Russ, David (illus) 2001, The secret of Saint
Nicholas, Sid Harta, Hartwell, Vic.
This delightful story explains the origin of the legend of Santa Claus or
Father Christmas. Use for Studies of Society and Environment, Time, Continuity
and Change, Foundation Level and Level 1 and Culture and Identity, Foundation
Level and Level 1. OZ
Krings, Antoon 2003, Father Christmas of the garden, ABC Books, Sydney.
When Ernie Elf doesn't clear up his mistaken identity as Father Christmas, the whole village of funny little bugs come to believe Ernie is the real Father Christmas. All of the quirky characters are taking an interest in the little green elf, lending a helping hand with his everyday chores, as they believe being Father Christmas would be hard work. The bold colours in the illustrations will attract young readers. Use for early studies of narratives (identifying the beginning, problem and solution of a story) and for story mapping. Translated from French.
McCaughrean, Geraldine; Holland, Heather (illus) 2001, How the reindeer
got their antlers, Orchard, London.
McCaughrean's expertise in retelling folktales has given this delightful
Christmas story that same flavour. When the angels gave the reindeer antlers,
she perceived them as ugly and ran far away to the frozen north to hide.
Use for Studies of Society and Environment, Time, Continuity and Change,
Foundation Level and Level 1 and Culture and Identity, Foundation Level
and Level 1. OZ
McKay, Hillary; Harvey, Amanda (illus) 2001, Was that Christmas?,
Hodder Children's, London.
Baby Bella and her cat Black Jack had a great deal to learn about Christmas
and all its traditions. Set in the Northern Hemisphere, this charming story
focuses more on Santa Claus than Baby Jesus. Use for Studies of Society
and Environment, Time, Continuity and Change, Foundation Level and Level
1 and Culture and Identity, Foundation Level and Level 1.
Moore, Clement, 1998, A visit from St. Nicholas, Firefly,
Buffalo, NY.
Clement Moore's evergreen 'Twas the night before Christmas' is most attractively
presented here. The novel, finely detailed illustrations are modelled in
plasticine or similar material. Use for Studies of Society and Environment,
Time, Continuity and Change, Foundation Level and Level 1 and Culture and
Identity, Foundation Level and Level 1.
Rodda, Emily; Snell, Danny (illus) 2001, The long way home,
Working Title, Kingswood, S. Aust.
This beautifully crafted Christmas story is focussed on family reunion and
present giving. Bright, a sugar glider, is swept far away by a big wind
and is helped to find her way home by other Australian animals, especially
Digby the wombat. Use for Studies of Society and Environment, Time, Continuity
and Change, Foundation Level and Level 1 and Culture and Identity, Foundation
Level and Level 1. OZ
Scheidl, Gerda Marie; Corderoch, Jean-Pierre (illus) Can we help
you, St Nicholas?, North-South, New York, NY.
Based on the legend of Saint Nicholas, this story illustrates the theme
of the loving kindness associated with Christmas, as each animal uses its
unique skills to help Saint Nicholas on his mission to the children. Use
for Studies of Society and Environment, Time, Continuity and Change, Foundation
Level and Level 1 and Culture and Identity, Foundation Level and Level 1.
Spang, Gunter; Koopmans, Loek (illus) 2001, The ox and the donkey:
a Christmas story, North-South, New York.
This extension of the Christmas story concerns two animals in the stable
and the roles they played in caring for the Holy Family. Joseph, Mary and
the Baby Jesus are realistically portrayed, making them also an earthly
family. This beautiful book applies to the key concept of Heritage, Level
1 in the Time, Continuity and Change strand of Studies of Society and Environment.
Tafuri, Nancy 1998, Counting to Christmas, Scholastic, New
York.
A little girl counts to Christmas Day, starting from 1st December, describing
for each day the thing she does, e.g. 'Days 1, 2 and 3 I paint, cut and
paste'. In this fashion we learn how she makes her cards and sends them,
makes gingerbread cookies, wraps presents and makes all the preparations
for a wonderful, traditional Christmas. Use for Studies of Society and Environment,
Time, Continuity and Change, Foundation Level and Level 1 and Culture and
Identity, Foundation Level and Level 1. OZ
Ward, Helen 2001, The animal's Christmas carol, Templar,
Dorking, UK.
This stunning book provides a feast for the eyes as well as an extended
version of an ancient French carol complete with its musical score. The
large quarto format is exploited to the full with exquisite illustration
and elegant book design. Use for Studies of Society and Environment, Time,
Continuity and Change, Foundation Level and Level 1 and Culture and Identity,
Foundation Level and Level 1.
Buchanan, Colin; Bland, Nick (illus) 2006, Aussie jingle bells Scholastic, Gosford, N.S.W.
This is an illustrated hardcover edition of Colin Buchanan's much loved song, Aussie Jingle Bells.
The opening line, 'Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden ute' sets the scene for this family Christmas celebration, Australian style. The illustrations, although muted in colour, capture many of the elements of the Australian bush, including the scenery and the associated lifestyle. An accompanying CD features three different versions of the Aussie Jingle Bells song. Use to support studies of Culture and Identity in Studies of Society and Environment.
Gibson, Ray 1999, Christmas activities, Usborne, London.
Here are thirty-two colourful Christmas articles to make, using inexpensive
easily obtainable materials. They are grouped as 'Decoration ideas', 'Things
to make' and 'Christmas card ideas'. The centre of this book comprises a
double-spread of fifty Christmas stickers. Use for Studies of Society and
Environment, Time, Continuity and Change, Foundation Level and Level 1 and
Culture and Identity, Foundation Level and Level 1.
Lane, Leena; Wilson, Anne (illus) 2006, The nativity ABC Books, Sydney.
The well-known nativity story is re-told here and brought to life by vibrant collage illustrations. Written in straightforward language, the story is particularly accessible to students in lower to middle primary. Rich information about life in Nazareth at the time of Jesus' birth is conveyed through the busy streetscapes. Students will be inspired to create their own collage nativity scenes in response to this book. It could be used to support explorations into the cultural heritage Christmas in Studies of Society and Environment. Also useful for Religious Education.
Smee, Nicola 2000, My first Christmas story, Little Orchard,
London.
This simple retelling of the Christmas story with its soft watercolour illustrations
is an appealing introduction for the very young. A lift-up flap opens out
to reveal the complete manger scene at the end. Use for Studies of Society
and Environment, Time, Continuity and Change, Foundation Level and Level
1 and Culture and Identity, Foundation Level and Level 1.
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