The Gift of a Good Book

Excitement mounts for the click of hooves on the roof, and the joy we feel, at the hive or house, when friends and family come for the holidays. Memories flood our minds as we recall times past—our senses full to bursting with the sights, sounds, scents, and tastes in store for us in the coming days and weeks.

To commemorate this blessed and best month, Clover presents her “Gift of a Good Book” Picks, a trio of superlative treasures to enjoy by the fire, share with a loved one, or simply read solo.

Page On! Enjoy!

The Community Literacy Foundation, in partnership with Neighborhood Reads, and with support from its sponsors, provides these books at no cost to 38 schools in Washington, Union, Pacific, St. Clair and surrounding communities and to the Washington Public Library. Learn more at CommunityLiteracyFoundation.org.

Youngest Read

We search high and low for just the right present to give, only the best for our besties, we think. “The Gift of Everything,” a charmer written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell, addresses perfect gift-giving using adorable, recognizable characters from McDonnell’s newspaper comic strip, “Mutts.”

Mooch the kitty is determined to find a “winner” of a gift for his buddy Earl, a special pal if ever there was one. Today will be the day and Mooch has planned for success. He found a perfect box and a bow—but what on earth can he put in it?

Mooch set a goal. He’d get the gift quickly, not waste a minute. So begins his frenzied search, which starts with putting on his thinking cap. But, alas, no ideas materialize so Mooch asks his owners, Mille and Frank for help. As much as they want to assist, they draw a blank too.

Inside and outside, Mooch searches, his frustration eventually quieting as nature and other humans soothe his manic mind.

When Mooch finally does find something to gift, it’s not at all what he’d imagined. Rather than a material something or other, Mooch finds a meaningful way to share with his special friend, in a heartfelt book with a wise message for all.

Buy the book at Neighborhood Reads

Middle Read

A much-loved reindeer is back with another story, thanks to author/illustrator Matt Tavares. “Dasher and The Polar Bear” is the third tale featuring the renowned reindeer who guides Santa’s sleigh.

The beauty of the Northern Lights reminds Dasher of Christmas lights so the reindeer sets off for a closer look. On the snowy landscape of the North Pole, Dasher is shocked, and initially terrified to hear the “ROARRRRRR” of a gigantic polar bear.

Dasher’s fear is quieted when the bear introduces himself as George. The gentle giant is apologetic about scaring the reindeer and curious about Dasher’s arrival.

“But you’re a reindeer,” said George. How can you fly?” Dasher smiled, “Christmas magic,” she said, offering George a demonstration, as she lifted off into the night sky.

The polar bear is aghast. Flying looks “spectacular,” and George wants more than anything to go airborne. Dasher is a fine teacher, but George takes one fall after another into the icy Artic waters. Though George doesn’t get his heart’s desire, his wish to fly does come true—just not in the way he expected.

That’s Christmas magic for you.

Buy the book at Neighborhood Reads

Oldest Read

Once upon a time gets a modern twist in “Lost Evangeline,” by Kate DiCamillo, a writer who continues to enchant. DiCamillo’s newest is the third in a series of Nordy Tales, the story of a tiny girl and her loving father, a shoemaker, like so many found in fairytales of old.

This story of hope opens with a shoemaker talking to his wife about his lifelong dream of going to sea, of the adventures and sights he’d experience. The unimaginative wife admonishes her husband, reminding him that life would be too dangerous, that he’s far safer where he is, making and repairing shoes.

One fateful day, the cobbler finds a surprise. Tucked in the square toe of a boot he discovers a tiny girl-baby. While the shoemaker is overjoyed, his sour-faced wife foresees disaster, reminding her husband not to invest time or emotions in this bitty babe. Someone is surely going to claim their boots and the baby.

That isn’t the case. The girl and her father bond over the years, sharing a growing love of the sea, while the wife’s heart remains cold.

The shoemaker names the baby Evangeline, and though she grows older her size remains miniscule. Though Evangeline is sweet, she’s also playful, often hiding from her father behind small items in the family cottage.

Alas, all does not remain idyllic for Evangeline, a child raised in a home with a woman who believes the girl has bewitched her husband, and takes matters into her own hands when an offer of gold is made.

So begins a series of mishaps that take Evangeline away from her father and forces the child to be courageous and intuitive, to remain steadfast as she tries to get back to person who loves her most.

“Lost Evangeline” is a tale of fortitude and courage, a reminder that no matter how bleak and uncertain the present appears, tides can turn and love always wins out.

Buy the book at Neighborhood Reads

Written by Chris Stuckenschneider.

Copyright 2025, Community Literacy Foundation.