Top 5 Children's Winter Reads

The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann

With the holiday season in full swing and winter approaching, I thought it would be nice to share some of my favorite seasonal children’s stories. What books are on your winter reading list?

1. The Nutcracker by E.T. A. Hoffmann

As a lover of ballet, The Nutcracker is easily my favorite holiday story. This one keeps visions of sugar plums dancing in my head all winter long. A perfect choice for the tiny dancer in your life.

2. The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson

Fairy tales have a special place in my heart, and what better way to celebrate the season than by reading this wintery favorite. With the popularity of Disney’s Frozen, this will likely be an easy favorite for kids.

 3. Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

For me, winter is the prime time for fairy tales and this YA retelling of the Norwegian fairy tale “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” is no different. While it might be better suited to teen readers, tweens and upper Middle Graders should be able to appreciate this one.

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

A perennial favorite with adults and children alike, it’s not really Christmas time until our green-skinned friend comes out. It’s a classic for a reason.

5. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

What’s more magical and comforting than the thought of jumping on a train and heading up to the North Pole on a snowy night? Whimsy and wonder abound in this heartwarming little story, and it continues to charm readers of all ages. 

Top 5 MG & YA Halloween Reads

Looking for something spooky to read to get you in the mood for the Halloween season? Well, look no further! Here is a list of my top five favorite spooky Middle Grade and Young Adult books, in no particular order.

Top 5 MG & YA Halloween Reads

Rabbit in Red by Joe Chianakas; photo courtesy of Goodreads

1.  Rabbit in Red by Joe Chianakas

If you are in any way a fan of the horror genre (especially slasher movie classics), then this is the book for you. This YA is dark and bloody, but not without humor too and not to mention FUN. It is Cabin in the Woods meets Ready Player One. In it, teenager Bill Wise wins a trip to the studio of his favorite director to compete in a contest that tests his love for the horror genre and win an internship with the studio. But is this contest really as it seems? I'm not telling - you'll have to find out for yourself. And I strongly recommend you do.

2. The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

Set during the time of the Potato Famine era, this middle grade book tells the story of two Irish children who have journeyed to England to find work in a remote manor house. They quickly discover that they have found themselves in a house haunted by a mysterious figure called “the night man” who plagues the family who lives there. The children must uncover the secrets of this phantom before it is too late. This is pure classic gothic horror at its finest, and underneath the creepy atmosphere there is a beautifully sincere heart resting in the core. 

3.  Doll Bones by Holly Black

This is one of my favorite books of all time. It is a middle grade mystery and tells the story of three friends who go on an impromptu adventure to bury a doll which they believe is haunted by the ghost of a dead girl. But it is so much more than that. It is simultaneously creepy and sentimental, haunting and tender. At it's heart, this is a coming-of-age story laced with gentle brushes of paranormal horror. It is eerie, it is touching, it is brilliant. 

4.  The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand

Another fun and creepy middle grade horror, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls is delightfully quirky and unsettling. Young Victoria doesn't like nonsense so when her friend Lawrence disappears and things go topsy-turvy, she launches a quest to restore order to her perfectly manicured life. This investigation leads her to the sinister title orphanage where Victoria finds herself in over her head with the malevolent mistress who oversees its operations. It's very reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's "Coraline", but unique enough to stand on its own creepy, crawly legs.  

5.  Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Lovers of J-horror flicks, rejoice. This is the perfect book to get your ghostly fix. While Joe Chianakas' Rabbit in Red veers more toward the slasher genre, Anna Dressed in Blood goes the route of the supernatural. It is a dark YA about Cas Lowood, a teenage ghost hunter who ends up getting tangled in the story of a tragic phantom known as Anna Dressed in Blood. It is utterly frightening and heartfelt at the same time, and it truly exemplifies the YA Horror genre. It's a must read for any horror enthusiast. 

Top 5 Favorite Early Childhood Books

Stories are such a huge part of childhood. Certain ones just connect with us and stay with us well into adulthood. These are the stories we hand down to the next generation. These are the stories that still light up our eyes when we think back on how they made us feel. So here is a list of my five favorites from my early childhood that have a special place in my heart.

Top 5 Favorite Early Childhood Books

Image courtesy of GoodReads.com

1.  The Serendipity Books by Stephen Cosgrove

The Serendipity Books were a series of whimsical stand-alone stories that carried a poignant message at the end of each little paperback book. They were morality lessons told to us by fantastical and adorable creatures, many of whom had several of their own books in the series. The beautiful illustrations by Robin James helped stir the imagination and complement the gentle tales. I was absolutely in love with them as a child, with Buttermilk (picture above) being my favorite. 

2. The Whisper the Winged Unicorn Series 

Written by a number of different authors, this series featured the title character of Whisper, a winged unicorn living in an enchanted land. Much like the Serendipity books, it was a stand-alone series that followed Whisper's adventures with her friends as they all learned lessons. They were charming and heart-warming little stories, and really... what little girl could resist a rainbow-maned unicorn? ...Okay, okay - I STILL can't resist rainbow-maned unicorns.

3.  The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

I'm sure this is a favorite on everyone's list, but what can I say? It's a classic for a reason. My mother used to read this to me and my brother when we were little. The stark and simple illustrations do such an effective job at evoking the book's core theme of friendship and loneliness. This is still a household favorite and one we all take turns reading to my two little nephews. 

4.  Jellybeans for Breakfast by Miriam Young

I remember being drawn to this one's bright yellow cover with two smiling girls. Jellybeans for breakfast? Sign me up! This early reader story was a prose about one nameless girl trying to convince her neighbor to come over by telling her about all the fantastical adventures they will have together. It was a great book that captured childhood whimsy and wishes. And a great gift to give a best friend.

5.  The Chick and the Duckling by Mirra Ginsburg

This was another book my mom used to read to me as a young child. It tells the story of a little chick who tries to do everything his bigger ducking friend does, with the line "Me too!" said the Chick echoing throughout the story. "Me too, said the Chick" became a common phrase my mom would use every time I wanted follow or imitate my older brother. She still teases me with it to this day.

Top 5 Favorite Authors

Like every writer, I am first and foremost a reader. There have been so many stories, characters and authors who have shaped my own writing. But there are just some authors who I find myself returning to time and time again. Here is a list of my five favorite authors and what it is about their works that keep me coming back for more. Enjoy!

Top 5 Favorite Authors

 

1.  Lloyd Alexander

It’s no great secret that I am an absolute fangirl when it comes to Lloyd Alexander. He is the first author that truly touched my heart and made me love the written word. There is a pure classic quality to his stories that make them feel timeless and familiar. His works are a perfect example of middle grade high fantasy and I’m not sure we’ll ever meet his like again. When I was a young woman struggling to become a writer myself, I would write to him and tell him how much of an inspiration he was to me. He, in turn, always replied without fail and encouraged me to keep following my dreams. His words both in stories and in letters continue to guide me.

2. Peter Beagle

Like most children of the 80’s, I discovered his famed story The Last Unicorn after watching the animated movie version. The movie stole my heart and the book sang to my soul. I was immediately enchanted by his words. Everything about them evoked such a sense of utter sincerity.  Having seen him several times now in person, he is also fascinating to listen to and very kind to his fans. There’s a spark of magic in that man, I swear.

3. Holly Black

I first was introduced to Holly Black’s writing with her Spiderwick Chronicles and have been following her career ever since. I think what I love most about her writing is that she does such an amazing job with integrating fey lore into modern settings. She clearly gets the fey. She has such an obvious appreciation of the lore and pays it full respect. Her characters are always complex and believable in spite of whatever bizarre circumstances they may find themselves in.

4. Jessica Day George

Princess stories have a close place in my heart, so it was only a matter of time before I discovered the works of Jessica Day George. There is no edgy guile to her stories that has started to saturate the market. She simply takes classic elements, tells straight forward stories and still manages to make them all her own. Her characters and their stories are effervescent, innocent and pure fun. She truly has a gift with capturing the joy and magic of childhood, for young and old readers alike.

5. Neil Gaiman

I’m not sure I can say much about Neil Gaiman that hasn’t already been said – the guy oozes imagination from his every pore. He does such a great job at world building and crafting beautiful stories. When I read his works, I really do feel transported to his worlds. He’s another one who really understands fey lore and how to utilize magic in his settings. A master wordsmith and an imagineer to the core, Neil Gaiman is an author’s author.