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Give the Gift of Reading!


Posted on December 13, 2018 12:00 AM


By Lauren Goble, Ag in the Classroom Coordinator

 

Statistics of all kinds prove that reading aloud, together as a family, is one of the best things you can do for young developing minds! Dive into anyone of the following Christmas books to get in the spirit and help children learn how agriculture is a part of their everyday lives...even a holiday season as special as this one!  Whether you're huddling around the tree with loved ones or a teacher in the classroom, choose to give the gift of reading this year.

 

After working all year tending to them as they grow and preparing them for sale, Grandpa proudly opens the Christmas Tree Hut the day after Thanksgiving and awaits his happy customers who come by to pick out just the perfect Christmas tree for their special home and family.

 

When Wilma decides her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings, and Parker, her five-year-old neighbor. Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become fine, full Christmas trees. 

 

 

Every year, the whole town looks forward to the Christmas tree lighting, but this year, a blizzard has struck. The snow starts to fall more and more heavily, and soon, Tractor Mac and his pals are snowed in at the barn. When farmer Bill and Sibley the horse are get stuck in the blizzard and it looks like the ceremony will have to be called off, Tractor Mac saves them and the whole holiday celebration.

 

 

This unforgettable tale, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Barbara Cooney, has become a seasonal classic-a touching and joyful story about courage and the power of family.

 

 

It's Christmas eve on the farm where Otis and all of his friends live. The farmer has given Otis his first real Christmas present-- a shiny new horn! A tree has been decorated, a big snowstorm is on its way, and all of the animals are excited. Best of all one of the horses on the farm is about to give birth to a foal! 

 

 

Preparing for Christmas is lots of fun, and no place is cozier in the wintertime than Stony Meadow Farm. Join Tractor Mac and his animal and vehicle friends as they wrap gifts, bake holiday treats, decorate a tree, and get ready for the big day.

 

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Little Blue Truck is spreading cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Can you help count each green tree from one to five and back again? Don’t forget to save one for Blue! Beep! Beep!

 

 

When Mrs. Wishy-Washy asks her farm animals to take a bath for Christmas, they find a way to take one without freezing.

 

 

Rob wants to get his father something special for Christmas this year—something that shows how much he really loves him. But it's Christmas Eve, and he doesn't have much money to spend. What could he possibly get? Suddenly, Rob thinks of the best gift of all...

 

 

Ree Drummond delivers a story about getting into the holiday spirit and finding the good in all. Even though Charlie may not have put a kitty on his Christmas list, he learns that if you keep an open heart, new friends can come in unexpected packages.