Not a creature was stirring… but the bookworm Manitoba librarians offer their suggestions for holiday reading By: AV Kitching Posted: 2:00 AM CST Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024

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This article was published 17/12/2024 (628 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Looking for a solid seasonal read as the holidays approach?

The Free Press has asked eight librarians to share their personal favourite festive reads with us.

Whether it’s a classic like A Christmas Carol, something with a more contemporary flavour, such as The Story of Us, or childhood favourite The Polar Express, there’s nothing better than being engrossed in a well-told tale when the weather outside is frightful.

So grab a blanket, find a comfortable chair and get ready to curl up with a good book.

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The Hat by Jan Brett

As soon as I think about seasonal reads, my mind goes back to The Hat by Jan Brett. It’s a delightful story about a curious hedgehog, Hedgie, who finds a warm sock that has blown off a clothesline.

The sock sticks to the prickles on top of his head, making him look as if he’s wearing a hat. At first he’s embarrassed by it but when other animals make fun of him, he pretends it was a deliberate decision, telling them his hat will keep him dry and warm.

The personality of Hedgie really stayed with me. He didn’t want to be stuck in the sock in the first place, but when the other animals question him, he plays it off as if it was his idea. My mother would have read this to me when I was about six or seven and the story really sticks in my mind.

Four years ago I came across it in the library and remembered the title. I was excited to see it was on our shelves and happy to realize we have many other books by the same author. This story is the companion book to The Mitten, which is based on a Ukrainian folk tale.

— Eric Fontaine, branch head librarian, Transcona Public Library

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The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Imagine getting whisked away on a magical trip to meet the one and only Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

That’s how our story starts in this picture book The Polar Express. The conductor calls our protagonist to hop on board to join the journey to the North Pole. All the kids on the train are excited.

They see wonderful things on the trip and when it’s time to meet Santa, they will find out which of them is to receive the first gift of Christmas.

This book reminds me of being a kid, how magical the holidays can feel and the power of belief. I did a somewhat shocking thing for someone who works in a library: I watched the movie first. It wasn’t until later in life that I picked up the book and found it just as endearing as the movie.

It’s now an annual tradition for me to read the book and meet up with my sister to watch the movie and drink some hot chocolate on Christmas Eve.

— Caitlin Henderson, branch supervisor, Neepawa Public Library, Western Manitoba Regional Library

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Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night by Sophie Hannah

There’s nothing like reading a good mystery during Christmas. Last year, I read The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie, a short story starring her beloved sleuth Hercule Poirot. This year I read Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night by Sophie Hannah, who was signed on by the Christie estate in 2013 to continue the stories of the Belgian detective.

Poirot and his companion Edward Catchpool have been coerced to join Catchpool’s mother Cynthia and her friends for Christmas; meanwhile, a patient at a nearby hospital has been murdered, and Cynthia is hoping Poirot can solve the murder before her friend Arnold is admitted to the same hospital.

The mystery is a real head-scratcher, and the characters, including a set of bickering siblings and their parents, make for entertaining reads. Arnold in particular is a delight; a huge fan of Poirot’s, he wants to be like his hero and solve the murder as a last hurrah before he dies.

Ironically, it is the man who is sick and dying who is the most joyful of the cast of characters. Hannah perfectly captures Poirot’s essence, his charm and humour, the use of his “little grey cells” to solve the crime.

— Karli Fisher, branch head librarian, Harvey Smith Library

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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

When the days get shorter and weather gets colder, I like to look for a book that embodies warmth, hope and connection. Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is the perfect seasonal read for those seeking inspiration and a gentle reminder of life’s beauty.

This book is a heartfelt tale told through short, poignant dialogue accompanied by breathtaking illustrations. It follows four unlikely companions — an inquisitive boy, a cake-loving mole, a wary fox and a wise horse — as they journey together through life’s challenges.

Each character brings their unique perspective, offering reflections on kindness, courage and the power of companionship.

It’s a perfect book for the busy holiday season, as it doesn’t demand hours of reading and can be picked up at any point. And yet, it provides the reader a few moments for quiet reflection on the refreshing simplicity of each dialogue that feels profoundly relevant.

Whether you’re a seasoned reader or someone looking to reconnect with books, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse will leave you with a full heart and a sense of peace. Recommended for all ages.

— Rémi Fontaine, branch head librarian, Cornish Library

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A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

One of my favourite books for the season, though not technically a seasonal book, is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It’s thoughtful, reflective, full of charm and heart — a book that feels like settling into a cosy chair by the fire.

The story begins in 1922, when Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat, is sentenced to house arrest in the luxurious Hotel Metropol in Moscow for writing a poem.

Though confined within the walls of the hotel, the count adapts and transforms, and his world expands as he navigates the changing political landscape and forms deep connections with the eclectic people around him.

One of the things I loved the most is the way Towles manages to take this seemingly small setting and make it so full and alive, creating a whole world within this hotel. The book is full of rich historical detail, memorable characters, and moments of humor and surprise.

It’s reflective and uplifting and really beautifully written — perfect for bringing some warmth to the cold winter nights.

— Vicki Friesen, branch head librarian, Fort Garry Library

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The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez

It is the story of a woman named Mary Grace who comes to Toronto from Manila to be a live-in caregiver. She dreams of returning home to the Philippines as she labours away for the often demanding and careless families.

After answering an ad to provide care for a very interesting Alzheimer’s patient, Mary Grace’s world opens up and she builds a supportive chosen family for herself and her unborn child.

The woman she is caring for is a bit of a legend in Toronto’s LGBTTQ+ community and has a past that challenges Mary Grace’s conservative beliefs.

It is a heartwarming and engaging book about community and finding love in unlikely places which I think is a perfect cosy fit for the winter holidays.

— Kim Tuesday, section head librarian, reader services, Millennium Library

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The Spider’s Gift: A Ukrainian Christmas Story by Eric A. Kimmel

Based on an Eastern European folk tale, A Spider’s Gift is a story about sharing kindness to those great and small, even in the darkest of times. This is a story that was a part of my childhood and it makes me smile every time I read it.

In this particular version, a little Ukrainian girl is devastated to learn that her family will not be able to afford to Christmas gifts — just a tree will have to do. Even though she finds the perfect tree, the family soon discovers that it is covered in spiders!

The little girl convinces her family not to throw away the tree, as even spiders deserve kindness on Christmas. To their great surprise, the next morning the spiders have spun webs of silver and gold covering the entire tree. A Christmas miracle for all, but especially the spiders.

— Kelsey Middleton, section head librarian, youth services, Millennium Library

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A personal favourite is the timeless classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The novella tells the heartwarming tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserable old man, who is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.

Through these supernatural visits, Scrooge undergoes a transformation, becoming a kinder, more compassionate person.

This story holds a special place in my heart, as it brings back cherished memories from my childhood. A Christmas Carol remains a classic for a reason — it’s a book that we return to each year to relive the nostalgia and embrace the season’s message.

With its vivid imagery and timeless themes, this story continues to captivate readers of all ages. It’s also a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness, generosity and the true spirit of Christmas — not just during the holiday season, but year-round.

Whether through music, family gatherings or reading, the Christmas season has a way of evoking feelings of warmth and joy.

— Leah O’ Leary, community program co-ordinator, Portage la Prairie Regional Library

 

av.kitching@freepress.mb.ca