By Carole Howard and the Library Staff

We have several new Christmas books for young readers that will help your children understand the real meaning of Christmas as well as enjoy stories of more modern traditions. All are beautifully illustrated.

• “The Christmas Story Peek-a-Bible Storybook” is written for ages six and under.
• “Teddy’s First Christmas” by Amanda Davidson is a charming picture book for the very young.
• “The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet” by Deborah Hautzig is written for parents to read to little ones.
• “Froggy’s Best Christmas” by Jonathan London is another in the highly popular “Froggy” series of books.
• “Christmas Eve” is another photo book to be read to youngsters.
• “A Wish for Wings That Work” is an Opus Christmas Story by Berkeley Breathed that was donated by the Pagosa Pretenders and Wolf Tracks Coffee House.
• “My Very First Christmas” is a collection of Christmas stories for the very young.

Adult Christmas books

“The Gift” is a new story of faith, hope and healing by Richard Paul Evans, author of the international bestsellers “The Christmas Box” and “Finding Noel.” “Santa Cruise” is a holiday mystery by the crime mother-daughter duo Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. “Christmas with Paula Deen” is a collection of this popular Southern cook’s recipes and Yuletide stories.

Large print Christmas books

“The Christmas Hope” is an inspiring story of faith and love by Donna VanLiere. “A Christmas Secret” is about treachery surrounding a visiting vicar and his wife by Anne Perry. Another holiday-themed mystery by Anne Perry is “A Christmas Guest.” “The New Year’s Quilt” by Jennifer Chiaverini is another of the Elm Creek Quilts novels. “Comfort and Joy” is a large-print quartet of holiday short stories by bestselling author Fern Michaels and three other writers. “A Christmas Beginning” is a mystery by another bestseller, author Anne Perry.

Large print mysteries

“Third Degree” by Greg Iles and “Almost Dead” by Lisa Jackson are romantic suspense novels. “Wreath of Deception” by Mary Ellen Hughes is a Craft Corner mystery. “The Chase” is an adventure mystery by Clive Cussler.

Adult fiction

“Away” by Amy Bloom is the story of an accidental heroine who comes to America after her family is destroyed in a Russian pogrom, and then returns on word that her daughter may still be alive. “A Certain Slant of Light” by Laura Whilcomb tells of a woman who, after haunting people for 160 years, meets a teenager who can see her and together they unlock the mysteries of their pasts. “The Abstinence Teacher” by Tom Perrotta explores the complex spiritual and sexual lives of ordinary people. “Everlasting” is another historical novel by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, called “the queen of historical romance” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper. “Bloodfever” by Karen Marie Moning is about a woman whose ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets in Ireland.

Novels for youth

“The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick, written for students in third through seventh grades, chronicles the adventures of an orphan and clock keeper named Hugo, who lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station. “Sold” by Patricia McCormick, aimed at students in the seventh grade and older, is the story of a young Nepalese girl who is sold into prostitution in India.

Fantasy and humor

“Garden Spells,” a debut novel by Sarah Addison Allen, tells of a family and a garden in North Carolina with mystical powers. “On the Divinity of Second Chances” is billed as “another wacky adventure” by Kaya McLaren. “Making Money” by Terry Pratchett tells of the adventures of a manager who was so expert at running an efficient post office that he is asked to “make money” at a bank.

Christian fiction

“A Rush of Wings” by Kristen Heitzmann is the story of a beautiful yet secretive woman fleeing danger by coming to a Rocky Mountain horse ranch. “Just Beyond the Clouds” by Karen Kingsbury is the story of two brothers, one with Down Syndrome, and the only woman whose love can set them both free.

Non-fiction books

“The Immortal Game: A History of Chess” by David Shenk is a wide-ranging history of the seemingly simple game that has had such a profound effect on societies the world over. In “Secret Socities and How They Affect Our Lives Today,” Sylvia Browne writes about the clandestine realm of secret societies and how she believes they affect the lives of each of us every day. “If Democrats Had Any Brains, They’d Be Republicans” is the latest by conservative analyst and wit Ann Coulter. “The World Atlas of Wine” by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson is the book many people consider the bible of the wine world.

How-to books

“Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads” by Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden bills itself as a survival manual for guys entering the trenches of fatherhood. “Be the Pack Leader” by Cesar Millian is a new guide for developing the skills necessary to help your dog live a balanced, fulfilled life.

Thanks to our donors

Special thanks to Giving Tree contributors Windsor Chacey, Elizabeth and Roy Gill, Moonlight Books and anonymous donors. For books and materials this week we thank Stan Church, Phyllis Daleske, Jennifer Hedrick, Barbara Hendricks, Bamma Laizure, Janet Meyer, Eileen Midge, Ed Overly, Gwen Taylor and Phyllis Wheaton.

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