Technically the holidays are over, but I suggest you hold onto the joy and peace, that I hope you found while the lights were twinkling and you were making merry. This is where books, especially children’s books can make this easy. The stories are easy to digest and the bright colors and happiness is generally easier to find, even in heavier topics. This year, I hope you open more books.
Now without further ado here is 5 Books for December 2025:
Rainbow Soup by Brian P. Cleary
Rainbow Soup: Adventures in Poetry by Brian P. Cleary
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have written poetry since I was 9 years old. As much as I like writing poetry, I often don’t enjoy reading it. However, I did get some enjoyment from this children’s poetry and rhyme book. This book as 83 poems in it. It also includes notes and definitions of the different types of poems which I found interesting and inspiring. I also found the colorful blends of styles of art by Neal Layton to be fun and captivating.
I checked this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Rainbow Soup by Brian P. Cleary on Amazon.
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Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel
Balderdash!: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel is British Literature nonfiction history book that has great timing and this book about books is kind of interesting but I don’t know if children would sit through this biography. The illustrations by Nancy Carpenter make this children’s picture book beautiful.
I checked this book out at the Longview Public Libarary. You can get your own copy of Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel on Amazon.
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Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird
Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird is a great rhyming book. This children’s fiction picture book of fractured fairy tales has great humor, energy, and music. The illustrations that include animals, birds and nature by Andrea Tsurumi add great color and movement to the fun smashup of nursery rhymes to any story time.
I got this copy from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird on Amazon.
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Home by Matt de la Peña
Home by Matt de la Peña
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Home is poetry, a lullaby, memories and emotions with loved ones, experiences, the people that make our life better, things we can count on, love we hold onto when there seems to be nothing else. Home is made of family, friends, teachers, neighbors and nature. Home is where we make wishes, where we see miracles and where find ourselves. Home by Matt de la Peña is a contemporary brilliant fiction children’s story. this picture book is brought to life by the illustrations by Loren Long.
I got this copy from Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Home by Matt de la Peña on Amazon
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As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson
As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Toward Freedom by Richard Michelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel had very different lives, yet their differences also made them brothers. King was the son of a Black Baptist preacher in Southern United States, where there were separate stores, bathrooms, parks and drinking fountains for Black and White folks. Heschel was from Poland. His father was a Jewish Rabbi. Heschel came to the United States as World War II was going on and Jews were being persecuted and killed by the Nazi Regime. Both men followed in their father’s footsteps in religion because they understood that the way things are in social justice, is not how it has always been and eventually all people will live in harmony. King and Heschel wanted to be part of the change.
“I solemnly pledge to uphold the fair name of Jews. Not only because we need their friendship, and surely we do, but mainly because bigotry in any form is an affront to us all.” Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
As King was encouraging and supporting people in the fight for civil rights, he was planning a march for voting rights in Alabama. He knew they needed as much help as they could find, so King put a call out to all supporters and Rabbi Heschel answered.
“One hundred years ago, the emancipation was proclaimed. It is time for the white man to strive for self-emancipation, to set himself free from bigotry.” Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
On March 21, 1965, the march began in Selma, AL. 4 days later, King and Heschel and 25,000 people arrived in Montgomery, AL. 4 months later, the president signed the Voting Rights Act. King and Heschel remained friends.
As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson is a nonfiction history book about working together for good of mankind. I really enjoyed this children’s biography. The illustrations by Raul Colon were inspiring.
I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson on Amazon.
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This year I beat cancer and I didn’t meet my books goal but I did met a lot of other goals. I am not someone that makes New Years resolutions. I try to do my best every day and a celebrate any goal I reach right away. I hope you find peace, joy and a few shareable stories this year.
Be Blessed!
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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