Spend time reading this holiday season

No commentary again this week to make room for an additional book review for holiday gift-giving. Happy holidays!

Books to Borrow

The following book is available in many public libraries.

"Elijah's Angel: A Story for Chanukah and Christmas" by Michael Rosen, illustrated in by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson, Harcourt, 32 pages

Michael is a 9-year-old Jewish boy. His friend is Elijah, is a barber, woodcarver and Christian man in his 80s. Unlikely as the pair may seem, they are friends and enjoy spending time together.

Their differences are of no consequence to either until the day Elijah gives Michael a carved angel for Christmas. It isn't that Michael doesn't like the angel; he loves all of Elijah's carvings. But Michael is afraid to bring the angel into his home, fearful that he is disobeying God with a "graven image."

Through Michael's courage and the warm support of his parents, Michael comes to realize that Elijah's angel is an angel of friendship. On Christmas morning, Michael presents a special gift to Elijah, establishing a bond between the two and an important understanding of each person's faith.

Based on real events about the friendship both the author and illustrator shared with Elijah, this book is an exceptional addition to holiday selections.

Librarian's Choice

Library: Sutter Branch Library, 2147 California St., Sutter

Library Director: Karen Crocker

Choices this week: "Winter's Gift" by Jane Monroe Donovan; "The Frog Prince Continued" by Jon Scieszka; "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Books to Buy

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.

"A Birthday for Bear" by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton, Candlewick, 2012, 48 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 3 — 5

Read yourself: age 7

The curmudgeon Bear has decided he doesn't like anything about birthdays. His friend, Mouse, on the other hand, is exuberant about everything, so on Bear's birthday, Mouse prepares several lovely surprises for Bear.

In his usual fashion, Bear tries to avoid anything to do with Mouse, the surprises and his birthday. But the persistent Mouse is finally able to get through to Bear with a chocolate cake, and a full-blown party ensues.

This charming, funny tale about friendship will have kids requesting repeated readings of "A Birthday for Bear."

"Child of the Mountains" by Marilyn Sue Shank, Delacorte Press, 2012, 255 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 10 and older

Read yourself: age 11 — 12 and older

Lydia doesn't mind growing up poor in 1953 in the mountains of West Virginia. As far as Lydia is concerned, she has everything anyone could want — her widowed Mama is loving and strong; her brother BJ, despite his cystic fibrosis, is loads of fun and super-smart; and her Gran is kind and wise. Together, their family and life is perfect.

But all of that changes when Gram and BJ die, and Mama is unjustly accused of killing BJ and is sent to jail. Sent to live with aunt and uncle, Lydia struggles with loneliness in many ways. Lydia is determined to clear her mother's name and be reunited with her, but during that process, a difficult truth about Lydia rises to the surface, creating yet again another question in Lydia's mind about family, love and forgiveness.

Flawlessly written with a cast of strong, unforgettable characters, "Child of the Mountains" is a wonderfully uplifting novel that will tug at your heart in the best of ways long after the last page is read.

"1, 2 At the Zoo" written and illustrated by Sue DiCicco, Scholastic, 2012, 20 pages, $6.99 board book

Read aloud: birth — age 2

Read yourself: 5 — 6

Learning to count to 2 couldn't be more fun than with this ingenious little book. With big sturdy flaps on every double-page spread and a large pop-up, little readers learn new concepts, words, colors and counting all rolled into one sensational interactive book. Bravo!

Kendal A. Rautzhan writes and lectures about children's literature. She can be reached at her website: greatestbooksforkids.com.