CHRISTMAS BOOKS- THE GIFT OF HELPING

YOU AND ME AND HOME SWEET HOME
Author- George Ella Lyon
Illustrator- Stephanie Anderson
2009

The kids at my school don't have much, or at least they don't have much in terms of material goods. I want my kids to know, especially at this time of year, that they are not alone. That things will get better someday. And that no matter how little you have, you can still give something. This weekend, I found a new favorite Christmas book, YOU AND ME AND HOME SWEET HOME by George Ella Lyon, based on the author's experiences building a home for HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

Eight-year-old Sharonda and her mother have worn out their welcome sleeping on the couch at her auntie's house. They are feeling hopeless until one day, their church offers to build a home for them. Sharonda and her mom work at the house from Day One. Sharonda is eager to help and even rides the bus to the house every day after school. One day a volunteer helps her build a window box. Another day, she passes out water to all of the workers. Finally, the house is ready and Sharonda and her mother move into their new home.

Stephanie Anderson's illustrations are perfect. Early in the book, they are dark. As the house goes up, and the family's situation becomes more hopeful, the illustrations become lighter, and more colorful. And there are lots of good construction type pictures for the "Bob (or Bobette) the Builder" types.

The gift of helping. The gift of yourself. Something everyone can give. Is there a more perfect Christmas present?

A HOME FOR DIXIE- Emma Jackson

OK, I'll admit it. When it comes to dogs, I'm a total pushover. Rescue dogs- even more so. And books about rescue dogs- you got me! Tonight (at the library!), I stumbled across A HOME FOR DIXIE. It's not like this book is anything really new- there are three cute puppies that don't have a mom or dad. They end up in a rescue shelter, where one of the puppies is eventually adopted by Emma Jackson, the author of the book. The illustrations in this book are beautiful photographs of Emma and Dixie (my favorite is of Emma, in her sleeping bag on the kitchen floor, laying next to Dixie, who does not want to sleep in the dark, scary kitchen, all by herself on her first night away from her sisters). The really fun thing about this book is that Emma Jackson, the author, is a middle/high school girl. Can anyone say, "Mentor text?"

When I found this book, I was with the little guy I've been tutoring this summer. In his neighborhood, people sometimes have dogs, but they don't always take super good care of them, or maybe I should say that they don't take care of their pets the way that I envision pets being take care of. G's grandfather has two big dogs in a pen in their backyard, and then two puppies that are the offspring of the older dogs. G and I read the book, then had an interesting discussion about rescue shelters, unwanted puppies and kittens, and other things animal. All night, I've been thinking about how I might use the book to help kids start some kind of a pet care movement, e.g. a spaying and neutering movement, in the neighborhood where I work. Hmmm…