The holidays are fast approaching, and as we gear up to spend more time cozying up by the fire and feasting on delicious food, we also take this time to remind our families how much we appreciate all they do for us. This time of year can be hectic, but it also gives everyone a chance to reunite with those loved ones who live hours, states, and even countries away. Just in time for those special family gatherings, we’ve chosen a few Peachtree titles for you to share with someone you love. After all, there is nothing more important than family.
Going Down Home with Daddy
Written by Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrated by Daniel Minter
Down home is Granny’s house. It’s where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will join great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to hear stories of their ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to family history.
Kelly Starling Lyons’ eloquent text and Daniel Minter’s stunning illustrations create a rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual that explores the power of family traditions, just in time for holiday celebrations with extended family.
Buy Going Down Home with Daddy through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.
My Dadima Wears a Sari
Written by Kashmira Sheth
Illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi
Every day, Rupa’s grandmother wears a beautiful sari around the house and around the town. Some are made of cotton and some are made of fine silk. Each is brightly colored and very beautiful. Dadima shares with her granddaughter all the wonderful things that saris can do, and soon Rupa’s imagination is sparked as she envisions saris protecting her in the scary Gir jungle, bandaging up an injured knee, and holding a special secret for her and Dadima to share.
Author Kashmira Sheth provides young readers with a unique view of Indian culture and tradition, and illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi’s fanciful watercolor illustrations capture the extraordinary bond that unites families across generations despite cultural differences.
Buy My Dadima Wears a Sari through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.
Saturdays and Teacakes
Written by Lester L. Laminack
Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
“When I was nine or ten years old I couldn’t wait for Saturdays.”
In this poetic memory, a young boy rides his bicycle every Saturday up and down country roads past farms, a graveyard, and a filling station, until he reaches his beloved Mammaw’s house. He helps her make teacakes from scratch, breaking the eggs and stirring the batter. But the best part, he remembers, is eating the hot, sweet cakes fresh from the oven.
Lester Laminack’s richly detailed prose perfectly portrays the special relationship of a young boy and his grandmother and the tender simplicity of their weekly tradition. Award-winning illustrator Chris Soentpiet’s images beautifully capture the simplicity of an earlier time.
Buy Saturdays and Teacakes through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.
Charlie Bumpers vs. the Perfect Little Turkey
Written by Bill Harley
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
It’s Thanksgiving in the Bumpers’ household and Charlie has to be the perfect host to his annoying little cousin, Chip. Chip makes everything hard for Charlie―gets him in trouble, ruins his things, and generally makes a nuisance of himself. On top of that, for homework, Mrs. Burke has assigned Charlie the task of writing what a family is to him. How will Charlie be able to see past his “turkey” of a cousin to understand the real meaning of family?
Grammy Award-winning author Bill Harley continues his fun series for young readers using humor to get across some important values such as learning to appreciate family no matter what and making the best of a bad situation. For more on this series, visit the Charlie Bumpers website.
Buy Charlie Bumpers vs. the Perfect Little Turkey through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.