The Power of Story

For the past several years, CELEBRATING THE LECTIONARY has published a list of books in its Advent unit. We hope that parents will be asking for Christmas gift ideas, and there is no better gift than a storybook a family can share. Perhaps your parish might sponsor a "story hour" or book fair for Advent. Find your gifted storytellers and ask them to share their talents. Here are some of the books. For a more complete list, call Resource Publications at 1- 888-273-7782. We also have a list of Spanish language books. Enjoy!

• Abuela by Arthur Dorres, illustrated by Elisa Kleven (Dutton Children's Books, 1991). Rosalba and her grandmother have a special relationship of family pride and love. Together they go on imaginary journeys with wonderful views of the world. This book is their vision of New York. The grandmother, Rosalba's abuela, speaks Spanish throughout the story. Isla (1995) continues the adventures of Rosalba and her abuela, who go to the island where Rosalba was born.

• Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Caroline Bench, a Reading Rainbow Book (Dial Books for Young Readers, 1991). Grace loves stories. She plays all the characters with imagination and vigor. The other children tell her she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because she is not a boy and she is black. Her wise grandmother takes her to a ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet where the prima ballerina is black. Grace auditions for the part of Peter Pan and wins.

• Appelemando's Dreams by Patricia Polacco, a Paper Star Book (The Putnam & Grosset Group, 1997). A young boy growing up in a drab village takes refuge in his daydreams. He and his four best friends watch as the dreams drift out of the top of his head. Wanting to capture the beautiful images, the children find they can trap them on wet paper. Then one day while dreaming, a rain storm carries Appelemando's dreams to the village where they color everything in sight. The villagers do not believe the stories of the dreams. Challenged in the face of their unbelief, he can no longer dream until a near disaster for his friends brings his gift back.

• The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski (Candlewick Press, 1995). Jonathan Toomey is a brilliant wood carver and an embittered widower. The widow McDowell, new to town, approaches Mr. Toomey and asks him to carve a nativity set for her son Thomas. She begins to bring Thomas to watch and gradually the miracle comes to be.

• It Takes a Village written and illustrated by Jane Cowen-Fletcher (Scholastic, Inc., 1994). Yemi is so proud when her mother entrusts Yemi's younger brother Kokou to her care on market day -- that is, until Kokou wanders off. Then Yemi begins the desperate search that reveals the surprises of a community of care.

• Miss Tizzy by Libba Moore Gray (Simon and Schuster, 1993). Miss Tizzy is the senior citizen who lives for the children of the neighborhood. In her treasure trunks, her haphazard garden, her kitchen and her joy of life, the children enjoy the wonders of childhood with someone who loves them. She is their best playmate.

• Old Turtle by Douglas Wood, illustrated by Cheng- Khee Chee, 1993 Book of the Year from the American Booksellers Association and 1993 Children's Book Award from the International Reading Association (Pfeifer-Hamilton Publishers, 1992). In a time long ago when all of nature could speak, an argument began over the nature of God. God is "a twinkling," "a sound," "a tree," "a river," "a runner" until the voice of Old Turtle was heard offering the wisdom of "God is."

• The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flourney, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (Dial Books for Young Readers, 1985). Tanya's grandmother is working on a quilt that records family memories when she becomes very sick. Tanya decides to finish the quilt and surprise Grandma.

• The River That Gave Gifts written and illustrated by Margo Humphrey (Children's Book Press, 1978, 1987). This is an African-American story about the meaning of respect within the community. Four children present their special gifts to the wise old woman of the town.

• The Table Where Rich People Sit by Byrd Baylor, illustrated by Peter Parnell (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1994). Mountain Girl and Ocean Boy think their parents should be more ambitious and start earning more money. They are shocked to learn that their parents consider themselves wealthy. Together the family explores the value of the lifestyle they have chosen to pursue.

• The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci, pictures by Jerry Pickney, a Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Award winner (Dial Books, Penguin Editions, 1989). Based on a Creole folktale from the American South, this is a fairy godmother story complete with a crafty mother and two sisters (one good, one lazy), a dark forest, a two- headed cow, rainbow-colored chickens, removable heads and, of course, talking eggs. The children will love it!

• When the Wind Stops by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Stefano Vitale (Harper Collins, 1995). A little boy learns from his mother the mystery and joy of new beginnings. In answer to his questions about endings he is taught that "Nothing ends...it begins in another place or in a different way."

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