Here are a few books to welcome in the New Year with your little one. Read about New Year traditions around the world and New Year's Resolutions.
Shante visits neighbors in search of black-eyed peas after her grandmother realizes she forgot
them in Shanté Keys and the New Year's Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport and Marion Eldridge. As she visits each neighbor, she learns about their New Year's traditional foods. Although some of the foods are part of New Year's celebrations that take place at different times of the year, this presents an excellent opportunity to talk about the various calendars people use and when the new year starts on those calendars.
In Squirrel's New Year's Resolution by Pat Miller, Squirrel learns about resolutions. As he listens to
I have to admit that I have not read this one. It is very rare for me to recommend one without reading it, but I was so intrigued and enchanted by the cover that after a little research and realizing I wouldn't be able to get one in time, I decided to go ahead and recommend it. Sylvester and the New Year by Eduard Mörike and Emmeline Pidgen is a traditional tale about Sylvester who brings in the New Year. This book had gorgeous illustrations and simple text making it perfect for young children. My copy arrives in about a week!
Explore the rhythm of the year with Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art by Thomas Locker. This book takes the reader on a journey as they watch a tree change with each season. After reading this book, find a tree in your yard or neighborhood to observe in each season. Use a globe and a flashlight to show how the earth travels around the sun each year changing the seasons.
This year, I would like to call all of us to make the world a better, more caring, more sharing place. Although, it is not specifically new year related, I recommend reading Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney and having a discussion about making a resolution to that relates to the book's call to make the world a more beautiful place. Along those lines, for my resolution this year, I have decided to donate to a family each month. I hope to work with the organizations here in town that support that homeless families or victims of domestic violence to help purchase birthday presents for kids and other items families might need to get back on their feet.
Please add your favorite book or activity the new year in the comments!
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