New year, new book. What to read on vacation? What to do on vacation: the best ideas What to read on vacation

New Year holidays are a great time to relax with your family. LitRes online e-book store experts believe that this is a great opportunity for parents to show their children that reading is no less interesting than skiing. ice slide. However, it is worthwhile to approach the choice of books for children carefully, to give preference not only to fascinating plots, but also to the meaning that the author wanted to convey to the young reader.

Up to seven years:

Fluffy Kitten or Christmas Miracle

Holly Webb

Other kittens had new owners long ago, but no one wanted to take the timid and cautious Fluffy home. But one fine day, Ella appeared in the life of a kitten - a quiet and modest girl. They immediately liked each other, but the mother did not allow the baby to take Fluffy. Ella had to go home, leaving the kitten behind. But true friendship has no barriers! Now Fluffy has to explore a large and unknown world to find Ella. A touching story about sincerity and courage your child will love and help him see the true values ​​of life.

"Kid and Carlson, who lives on the roof"

Astrid Lingren


The ill-mannered, capricious and gluttonous Carlson is the hero of the cartoon of the same name, and despite all his shortcomings, he was and remains one of the favorite heroes of children and their parents. Perhaps that is why in his heart he is a child who needs care, love and understanding, and, in addition, a kind and cheerful friend, with whom it is simply impossible to be angry. Together with the Kid they are waiting amazing Adventures and discoveries, and how many cans of jam will be eaten - do not count! Read to your child this incredible book, which will surely cheer up both him and you.

"Blue Bead"

Maria Ludwika Krueger

Karolinka is waiting new life She moves to a new apartment with her parents. While the adults are gathering things, the girl notices a small blue bead on the floor. It turns out that she is able to fulfill cherished desires! Karolinka, together with her friend Petrek, without wasting a minute, plunges into the world of incredible adventures. They will fly, turn invisible and even fight with an evil witch. Reading about the adventures of the heroine is a pleasure.

"Paddington Bear"

Michael Bond


The story described in this book begins at one of the London railway stations. The bear cub, who came from distant Peru, got lost in the middle of the station and was waiting for the attention to finally be paid to him. Noticing him, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, decided to take care of the brave traveler. Soon Paddington became a full member of the family. The little bear tried very hard to be helpful and obedient, but what can you do when all your undertakings always turn into tricks and pranks?

Up to ten years:

"To be a cat"

Matt Haig


Sometimes you really want to become someone else and start a new, interesting and, of course, more happy life. Schoolboy Barney Iva dreams of becoming a fat, lazy and spoiled cat, because the life of a boy can hardly be called easy. A year ago, his father went missing, his mother spends all day at work, and at school he is surrounded only by ridicule from classmates. And one day his wish comes true. Read this book to your child, in it he will find answers to many of his questions, learn more about friendship and love, as well as how to overcome troubles and find ways out of different situations.

"Prostodursen"

Rune Belsivk


The stories about Prostodursen and his friends who live in a small country are among the most popular in Norway. The life of the heroes is full of worries: you need to chop wood, dig ditches, dry your shoes and bake bread, but don't forget to throw pebbles into the rivers and look at the night sky. But as soon as the reader changes his point of view a little, the simplest things take on a very special meaning, touching the hearts of not only children, but also adults.

Up to fourteen:

"Giving"

Lois Lowry


This is the first dystopian novel written specifically for young readers. The ideal world in which schoolchildren live seems to be created for serene growing up, devoid of worries and ready to bring up real geniuses. There is no struggle, violence, coercion in it, however, there are a number of laws and rules that no one is allowed to violate. A lot of questions are inevitably born in the heart of the protagonist, and the search for answers becomes the main meaning of his life: is this the ideal world in which he is destined to live until the end of his life? After reading the book, we advise you to also watch the film, which was released in 2014 - not only your children will like it, but you too.

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"

Clif Lewis


Sometimes even schoolchildren believe that an unknown world is hidden behind the cabinet doors. And this book will only strengthen their opinion. In a second, the wardrobe takes the girl Lucy with her sister and brothers from England to the magical land of Narnia. But for some reason it is dark and snowy in it... The children will have to restore the former appearance of the wonderful state, overcoming all adversity and learning to recognize behind whose actions good intentions are hidden, and who hides evil.

"White Fang"

Jack London


The adventure story of a famous American writer and public figure, shown through the eyes of our smaller brothers, tells about a domesticated wolf. In this story, the spirit of struggle, bloody fights and animal grin, northern nature and, at the same time, the laws of kindness and affection, love, which can heal any wounds, are inextricably intertwined. Funny adventures of touching wolf cubs, cruel fights to the death and devotion, wolf and human - all this you will find in the story of Jack London.

"The Children of Captain Grant"

Jules Verne


The main characters of the cult novel travel around the Earth in South America through Patagonia, through Australia and New Zealand in search of Captain Grant. The author was able to create exemplary heroes, fearless, noble and honest, whose actions and decisions are not in doubt. The villains seem to be ready to be reborn at any moment and go over to the side of good. The plot of the novel will definitely capture the imagination of your child, take him to the world of travel to explore distant, uncharted countries, develop an interest in science and navigation.

collaboration

Professor of Management at the University of California at Berkeley - Morten Hansen - has been researching the topic of interaction in companies for fifteen years and has turned Scientific research into a practical guide to action. The book talks about how to connect people, how to become a leader who is able to cooperate and keep your own promises, how to use the power of networks.

book of joy

In April 2015, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu met in Dharamsala, and during the week they discussed the obstacles that prevent us from enjoying life, spoke in detail negative emotions, their impact on a person and, most importantly, the answer to the question "what to do?". The answers to these questions formed the basis of The Book of Joy.

In addition, the book contains a list of practices - simple exercises that will help align psychological condition and keep the inner core in times of stress and anxiety.

How cinema works

Illustrator Edward Ross takes readers on a journey through his favorite films - using the language of comics, the author tells about the history and modern theories of cinema with the touching intonation of an avid film fan. Great book for fans of comics and good movies.

100% charged

The book has three large sections: energy, health and sports. It is these topics that the authors reveal - ultramarathon runner Renat Shagabutdinov and chief doctor of the Russian team Eduard Bezuglov.

Sunday Sketches

Christoph Niemann is an illustrator, artist, writer, cover artist for New Yorker, Time, Wired, New York Times Magazine, American Illustration. In his book, Niemann hilariously and cleverly talks about creative process, a career in the arts and attempts to overcome the external and internal obstacles that creative people face.

On hook

Why do some products grab our attention and some don't? How do certain foods form habits in us? Do these products have any similar features and patterns? The book will help you find answers to these and many other questions related to marketing.

Bruce Lee Rules of Life

Reflections of Bruce Lee, collected from his diaries and notes. About life and death, art, personal freedom and philosophy, will and ethics.

100 ways to change your life. Part two

The first book in the series has already become a bestseller. Your attention is Larisa's second book with new inspiring stories, author's methods and a solid portion of motivation in order to drastically change life for the better.

Female

The book is the result of 40 years of research, which for the first time gave a scientific answer to the question: what do women want? And it showed what a man needs to do to attract a woman and build strong relationships. The book will answer these questions.

Nudge

In 2017, Richard Thaler, the author of Nudge, received the Nobel Prize in Economics. Thaler's work, which formed the basis of the book, talks about how we make decisions and choices and how we can help people make better decisions. The book will be of interest to anyone interested in behavioral economics, psychology, decision-making.

Enjoy reading!

A satirical novel by Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov, in which the great strategist Ostap Bender and the retired leader of the nobility Vorobyaninov embark on another adventure. The book has long been scattered into quotes and has been filmed more than once. But this is the case when you can review and re-read endlessly. Don't get bored! On the contrary, with each reading you will find something new for yourself.

2. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

A novel by English writer Douglas Adams that provides an answer to main question life, the universe and all that. It will appeal to those who love fantasy and are not devoid of a sense of humor. The book is easy to read, and the author's satire is as simple as it is witty. In the company of Arthur Philip Dent, manic-depressive robot Marvin and other characters, you will go on an intergalactic journey and realize that on the scale of the Universe, our pressing problems are not so global.

3. One Hundred Years of Solitude

Laureate novel Nobel Prize Gabriel Garcia Marquez, pushing the boundaries of the real to the boundaries of the fantastic. One of the most widely read and translated works in Spanish. The red thread of the story is the theme of loneliness. This feeling is not just the vice of the Buendía family and the essence of the city of Macondo. Loneliness is familiar to all of us. The book captures from the first pages and leaves a long aftertaste. It's a shame it doesn't have a sequel...

4. "Monday starts on Saturday"

In this humorous story, the Strugatsky brothers talk about the ability of a talented person to focus on scientific creativity and knowledge of the mysteries of the universe. Together with programmer Alexander Privalov, you will stay on duty at NIICHAVO (Research Institute of Witchcraft and Wizardry) on New Year's Eve and get acquainted with all the opportunists, bureaucrats and pseudo-experts masterfully ridiculed in the book.

5. Jonathan Livingston Seagull

A story-parable by Richard Bach, a sermon on self-improvement and self-sacrifice, a manifesto of boundless spiritual freedom. The book is about a seagull learning to fly. According to the author, he was inspired to write this story by the flights of the real pilot John Livingston. Like many other works by Bach, The Seagull is a multi-layered story. Each reader perceives only that part of the content that he is ready to understand.

6. "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka"

As you age, you perceive the works of art differently. school curriculum. You begin to appreciate the brilliant satire of Nikolai Gogol and learn from his writings. "The Night Before Christmas" is a story included in the two-volume "Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka". This Christmas story, like the whole book, can be read aloud by the whole family. The story of the brave Vakul, capricious Oksana, the insidious Devil, Solokha, Head and Dyak will be equally interesting for both children and adults.

7. "Flowers for Algernon"

Science fiction short story and novel by Daniel Keyes. The protagonist is mentally retarded Charlie Gordon, who became one of the smartest people on the planet. This is a poignant story about the extremes of human nature - cruelty and mercy. First, a story was written, for which the author received the Hugo Award. Subsequently, Keys completed the story into a full-fledged novel (under the same title) and received the Nebula Award.

8. To Kill a Mockingbird

A novel by Harper Lee, surprising in its atmosphere, helping children to grow up, and adults not to forget what it means to be a child. The action takes place in a small town in the South of America. Through the eyes of a little girl, the reader sees what it's like to be an honest lawyer, and what it's like to be a black boy accused of violence against a white girl. The book, in a childishly naive way, raises issues of tolerance and hypocrisy that should have remained there in the 1930s, but are relevant to this day.

9. "Three comrades"

A novel by Erich Maria Remarque about true friendship and true love. One of the few non-military works of the author. Three comrades - Robert Lokamp, ​​Otto Kester and Gottfried Lenz - contain a small car repair shop. They went through the crucible of the First World War, but did not forget how to trust each other and come to the rescue. Therefore, when Robert's beloved gets into trouble, he has someone to rely on.

10. Master and Margarita

Classics of Russian literature. But at the same time, Mikhail Bulgakov's novel is not like everything that was in it before. From the first pages you plunge into the world of mysticism and irony and you can't tear yourself away until the very end. Even if you have already read The Master and Margarita, the New Year holidays are a great time to visit a bad apartment again, go to Satan's ball, stand on Pontius Pilate's balcony, fly with Margarita and make sure that the manuscripts do not burn!

11. Catcher in the Rye

A novel by American writer Jerome Salinger about youth, rebellion and a thirst for freedom. Seventeen-year-old Holden expresses his rejection of deceitful public morality with the maximalism characteristic of youth. The work was very popular and had a significant impact on the culture of the twentieth century. It was included in the list of the 100 best English-language novels of the last century by Modern Library.

12. "Just Together"

A good and kind novel by the French writer Anna Gavalda about three completely different people who turned out to be roommates. The main characters were not lucky either with families or with characters. But through personal relationships, quarrels and reconciliations, disputes and agreement, they suddenly acquire inner harmony and begin to feel the taste of life. The book was filmed in 2007. If you've seen the movie, be sure to compare it to the original.

13. "Blackberry Wine"

This is a light adult fairy tale written by Joanne Harris. People need fairy tales, and adults even more than children. Don't be surprised when you realize that the story is being told in the name of... wine. After all, wine can work wonders and open up new worlds. A confused and seemingly out of talent writer named Jay remembers the best moments of his childhood and goes in search of himself. It is pleasant to read the book over a cup of fragrant warming mulled wine.

"Autumn" is a collage novel written in the magical poetic language of Ali Smith. It is woven from fragments of chaotic memories that the reader seems to collect bit by bit. In jerky sentences depicting a stream of thoughts, the writer draws a rift in times and an unclear future for Britain after its exit from the European Union. And against this background - the unity of the hearts of a young girl and an elderly person, free from stereotypes and crossing a whole century. The book is permeated with the theme of art, spirituality and unfading faith in the best, and it makes the reader take a completely new look at the world.

2. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

Pulitzer novel by Michael Chabon, published in a new translation. This is a story about Josef Kavaler, who fled from German-occupied Prague, and his cousin Sammy Kleiman. Both of them became famous in the wake of the popularity of comics in the United States, creating their own superhero - The Escapist. This character, with his fictional exploits, saved real people from the unbearable life of the Second World War. about the history of the new art and its power against the backdrop of human tragedy.

The action of the novel begins in New York in the late 70s. The main characters are four children of the Gold family, who one day find themselves with a fortune teller who predicted their fate. Innocent curiosity turns into the fact that previously carefree children can no longer return to their former existence. One of them indulges in all serious, trying to enjoy every moment, the other - devotes his life to finding a cure for death. Their paths diverge and find themselves at the mercy of predictions that have eaten into the subconscious. The novel raises an interesting question: is there something that determines our destiny, or are we free to create it ourselves?

This is a work about a mestizo girl who runs away from her home in search of best place, success and recognition, but faces more large quantity problems and loneliness. The story begins with the friendship of two girls, equally passionate about dancing, but growing up in completely different families. Perhaps this is what served to widen the huge gap between them, determining the success of one and the collapse of the other. The novel raises many eternal questions- relationship, growing up and finding oneself, making important life decisions, - and also highlights the problems of racial conflicts and social inequality.

Almost a year ago in the yard private school for girls, they found the corpse of a guy with a broken head, but the case remained unclosed. Antoinette Conway's investigation has reached a dead end. And a year later, detective Stephen Moran is brought a photograph of the murdered person with a terrible inscription: "I know who killed him."

Stephen, who has long dreamed of being transferred to the homicide department, enlists the help of Antoinette, who wants to restore her reputation, and they immediately go to an all-girls school. The heroes find themselves surrounded by cute-looking, but very dangerous and prudent students, into whose world they will have to plunge. A world filled with deceit, intrigue and sophisticated lies, which Tana French, the Queen of Ireland, so skillfully created.

1960s. 19-year-old Paul comes home for his first university vacation. Fleeing from boredom in the London suburbs, Paul enrolls in a tennis club, where he meets Susan MacLeod. Relationships gradually develop into love, and everything would be fine, but Susan is a married 48-year-old woman, and such a relationship in a small town causes a wave of indignation.

The author describes the development of relations impartially, but frankly and obscenely honest. Until the very end of the work, the reader waits for some kind of philosophical denouement, a moral judgment, but Barnes allows him to draw his own conclusion: can love be something wrong or do we create limitations for ourselves.

7. "4321" by Paul Auster

A multi-page reflection on what would have happened if life had turned out differently? It's practically four novels in one. Paul Auster forces the reader to live the life of the protagonist Archie Ferguson in four parallel realities, observing again and again how events unfold depending on personal experiences and decisions.

The hero begins his journey in the same way, but in each life he finds different hobbies, aspirations and friendships. And even writing to the same girl Amy in the four fates of Archie unfolds differently. How the course of life is determined by tiny details and how far the roads that we can choose can diverge - this is what the author writes about.

8. "History of bees" by Maya Lunde

"The Story of the Bees" is not just a dystopia, but a family saga in the context of a global catastrophe. It describes three families from different countries and times that are united by one thing - the desire to make the life of their children easier and better. Against this background, there are irreversible changes that a person inevitably makes to the world, namely, the disappearance of bees, which entailed famine on earth.

Three storylines, unfolding in the past, present and future, are described simultaneously and at the end shed light on a global environmental catastrophe. The author touches upon the problem of fathers and children, and how a person's desire for a better life for himself and his offspring gradually destroys the world in which he lives.

The protagonist is a secret agent who works simultaneously for the United States and during the Vietnam War, which is drawing to a close. Throughout the novel, his name is not mentioned, and he himself does not seem to understand who he is. Supporting two strikingly different political views and two mutually exclusive ideas, he accepts both sides, ceasing to distinguish between his own and others and no longer understanding which side he is fighting on. These two contradictory positions, living inside one person, eventually turn into a tragedy for the character.

An exciting story about the clash of two families, personifying two worlds - order and chaos. In the wealthy family of Mrs. Richardson, an ideal mother and wife, life goes according to a well-thought-out plan, and only the "difficult" daughter Izzy gets out of it. But when artist Mia Warren moves in next door, hiding from a dark past with her daughter Pearl, everything in the small town turns upside down. Children, in whose hearts a suppressed fire has been smoldering for a long time, one day begin to rebel and allow it to flare up and embrace everything around.

In the novel, the conservative Mrs. Richardson and the rebel Mia Warren are opposed to each other, but in reality they turn out to be very similar: both are driven by fear for the future of their children. The author immerses the reader in the problem of parents and children, raises the issue of maternal love and makes him feel deep psychological experiences heroes.

Eleanor Oliphant, thirty years old, leads a measured and boring life: she works as an accountant surrounded by primitive people, and on weekends she hides behind alcohol. But one day she meets a musician she thinks she's falling in love with and decides to change her life. As a result, the heroine, who has problems with adaptation in society, will try to fit into a mysterious team for her and learn to be her own at parties.

The reader is waiting for a funny story full of embarrassing moments in the life of a girl, which is actually a sad and touching story about childhood trauma and loneliness. At some point, it becomes clear that Eleanor Oliphant lives in each of us, and therefore I so want her to be in perfect order.

12. The General Theory of Forgetting, José Eduardo Agualusa

The action of the novel takes place against the backdrop of civil war in Angola. main character Ludo, who suffers from agoraphobia, finds the only way to protect herself from the chaos that is happening around her by literally walling herself up in her own apartment. Having blocked the door with a stone wall and leaving only a window and an exit to the terrace, she learns about the news from the outside world only by radio and from overheard conversations of her neighbors. Ludo remains in isolation for 28 years, until one day a boy tries to rob her, climbing onto the terrace through scaffolding. It is he who makes her open to the world and gives hope for a new future.

Tess is 22 years old. Wanting to experience everything and feel the taste of life, she moves from her small town to New York. The heroine gets a job in a luxury restaurant, where in the evenings the staff drinks everything that is not drunk, and does not consider it a sin to steal a few oysters. The girl dives into the world of luxury and fun, sex, drugs and dirt - it is difficult for an inexperienced provincial woman to resist such a temptation. Tess gets sucked in love triangle, which tries to unravel, and at the same time turns out to be the object of hostility of some colleagues. In 2018, based on the novel, the eponymous was released.

The epic novel by an Indonesian author is a gripping mixture of real events, myths and magic. The history of Indonesia in the 20th century, filled with revolutions, blood and attempts to survive amid the surrounding violence, is described through the prism family history beautiful Devi Avyu, who once rose from the grave, and her four daughters. The author takes the reader into the world of amazing events - from comic and ironic to heartbreaking and tragic. There are many crazy and touching episodes, cruel irony and bold satire, as well as ghosts, dead ancestors and other mystical creatures.

Hanya Yanagihara's debut novel to rave reviews. The story is based on the memories of Dr. Perina, who travels to a lost Micronesian island and finds the secret of eternal life. This incredible discovery for humanity suddenly turns into painful and terrible consequences. The fulfillment of a long-standing one, to which people have been striving for centuries, leads to a global catastrophe for the economy, society and morality.

Nora Webster has always lived a measured and calm life, hiding behind her husband and gradually losing her individuality and dreams. But when Nora is already in her 40s, she remains a widow with four children. The heroine is forced to struggle with financial difficulties and raise her sons alone. she has nowhere to wait, and a woman has to learn how to fight, make concessions or be adamant - do everything to stay afloat. It was at this time that Nora begins to embody her dreams and ideas that have languished inside her for so long, remaining unnoticed.

Stephen Fry retells Greek myths in his own way - avoiding embellishment, embarrassing details and unnecessary searches for meaning. The writer does not try to interpret stories in his own way - he reproduces them in his own way, retelling myths familiar from childhood in his own interpretation and in his own style - picturesquely, with humor and irony. Antique scenes come to life and begin to play with new colors - lively and bright.

The story begins with an acquaintance with Albert - a happy husband and father, who suddenly realizes that he is tired of the role of a family man. Grabbing a bottle of gin, he goes to the christening of his daughter, whom he practically does not know. An unexpected kiss between Albert and Beverly, the owner of the house, sparks a romance that destroys two marriages and turns the lives of six children upside down. They are the main characters - the book describes how their destinies develop over fifty years and how one awkward kiss forever changed the course of their lives. "Friends or Strangers" is the story of Anne Patchett herself and her stepbrothers and sisters who are forced to live in two families.

The story of the good-natured Miles Rob, who has been working at the Imperial Grill in the small empty town of Empire Falls for twenty years. Miles, too, is not going smoothly - constant problems with his wife and at work. He himself, and all the inhabitants, are deeply convinced that they will no longer be able to change their lives. But even in this fading place, tragedies and passions still seethe, and the secrets of the past are suddenly revealed that influenced the lives of its inhabitants. As a result, the author shows the reader his own fears and hopes, the best and worst qualities of a person, looking at them with humor and warm irony.

A remote Irish village of the 19th century, where residents are far from the beginning of the industrial age and still believe in. Everything in the settlement is not going well: chickens do not lay, cows do not milk, crop failure begins. Nora Leahy has lost her husband and young daughter, and her grandson has stopped talking and cannot walk. It is at this moment that she realizes that all the troubles are due to the fairies who replaced the boy. Even healers and priests are powerless against these creatures, and Nora decides to turn to the healer, starting a dangerous divination to drive the changeling away. From the atmosphere of superstition, which is saturated with the book, it becomes creepy, but it definitely captures.

"Patrick Merloes" - a cycle of novels about a playboy, an aristocrat and an alcoholic. Despite the luxury, the life of this person cannot be called simple. As a child, he endures cruel attitude from the side of the father and the indifference of the mother. And when Patrick grows up, he has to deal with the consequences of childhood trauma and forge a path to better life. The hero manages to become part of the high society, but his success is accompanied by self-destruction

A sharp social drama unfolding in a provincial Swedish town. Hockey, which local teenagers love to play, is probably the only way to draw national attention to the small Bjornstad forgotten by the authorities. Therefore, the day of victory in the quarter-final match becomes especially happy for the whole city. But at a party in honor of this event, something happens that turns the lives of the main characters upside down and puts the inhabitants before a difficult moral choice. The theme of hockey in the novel is central, but still not the main one. This book is about the ethical side of success, about loyalty, true friendship and responsibility.

The novel is the confession of Mike Angleby, a student at Cambridge University who is suspected of murdering his beloved Jennifer. Mike talks about his life, presenting himself as a person with a deep and incredible analytical mind. He speaks honestly and frankly, not embarrassed by his injuries, complexes and fears, and not missing even the smallest and most delicate details. The only thing that Mike does not reveal to the reader or the investigation is the truth about whether he really became Jennifer's killer.

The novel tells about a British Pakistani family in which the elder sister Isma, after the death of her mother and grandmother, took responsibility for her brother Parviz and sister Anika. When the girl manages to return to her career, she learns that Parviz fled to the Middle East, falling into the trap of jihadist recruiters. The sisters are trying to save the boy, who, by himself, cannot return. Critics call "House Fire" the modern "Antigone" - in it the heroes have to make a choice between the laws of society and blood ties.

The novel is set in Delhi and Kashmir. Aftab, one of the main characters, becomes uncomfortable in the male body, and he leaves his home, changes sex and gets the name Anjum. After a long journey, a transgender woman settles in a cemetery and opens a hotel where those who have been rejected come outside world and seeks happiness among the surrounding violence and injustice. Gradually, the book becomes more and more political, it exposes the modern reality of India with its religious, legal and social conflicts. At the same time, the author does not consider the novel to be purely ethnographic, but calls it a reproach to the whole world.

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Winter holidays are a great time when you can take your time and do only pleasant things in the company of your closest people. Long walks, slides, ice skating, festive performances, visits, gifts and, of course, reading books. Our New Year's readings have long become a good family tradition. I will tell you about those books that we will read and give to children this year.

📖"The First Day of Winter", Rebecca Elliott, Hobbiteka Publishing House, 2017 (1.5-4 years)

I'll start with books for the little ones. This year I discovered the series "Bedtime Stories" published by "Hobbiteka". In this series, several very cozy, atmospheric paperback books were published, just with a winter theme. And since my daughter and I Lately are extremely partial to chanterelles, we liked the story of the inquisitive little fox the most. Leaves flew from the trees, birds flew away, the bear fell asleep soundly in his lair, the water turned into ice. The kid can't wait to find out why all these changes are happening in the world. And his mother is very resourceful in her answers.

📖“14 wood mice. Winter day", Kazuo Iwamura, publishing house "Scooter", 2017 (2+)

Amazingly beautiful book by Japanese author and artist Kazuo Iwamura. It has everything that we love winter for: the comfort and warmth of the house, where the stove is heated and pies are baked, long leisurely evenings in the family circle for board games and crafts, walks on snowy forest on a clear frosty day, sleds, slides, snowmen and other winter joys. There is very little text in the book, but there are a lot of beautiful pictures that can be viewed endlessly. So even the smallest reader will not get tired and will be able to easily follow the story.

📖"Winter Bear Bruno", Gunilla Ingves, (2+)

We really liked the series about Bruno the bear. There is not a word about holidays in this book, and yet it creates a wonderful, active mood. Bruno and Lola's day is filled with pleasant chores - to feed the birds, draw bird tracks in an observation notebook, fire up the stove, clean the chimney, bake pancakes with blueberry jam for dinner and arrange a scientific expedition.

The other day, inspired by the example of a bear, we stocked up on seeds and nuts and went to the park to feed the birds and squirrels. And after the walk, they baked pancakes together and ate them with great appetite, pouring them with grandmother's jam, though not blueberry, but currant. My daughter really likes Bruno and his dog girlfriend Lolla, and my son listens with interest about the Moon and stars, thoughtfully looks at the lunar map and constellations on the last spread. The book has traditionally charming pencil and watercolor illustrations. The bear's house is the embodiment of comfort: a cast-iron stove, a wicker chair next to it, snowflakes fluttering outside the window.

📖 « Winter fun, Evgeny Migunov, Rech publishing house, 2017 (2+)

Snow sculpting instructions in verse with cute old-fashioned illustrations. Young sculptors are not limited to banal snowmen. Here you have a cat, a hippopotamus, an elephant, and even a snow camel. Read for inspiration, creativity and just for fun. Voiced, rhythmic, joyful poems by Yevgeny Migunov are instantly remembered. It is quite possible to read Santa Claus on the New Year tree.

📖 « Scary cute wolf, Julie Bind, Michel Deruyer, Enas-kniga publishing house, 2014 (2+)

Christmas Eve is the perfect time for miracles. So do not be surprised if you meet a wolf in the forest, right and left treating passers-by with fresh bread and cakes. At Christmas, even angry wolves become terribly cute. Especially if little wolf cubs are waiting for them at home. And it does not matter that we failed to catch a hare or a deer for lunch, because buns and cakes will delight children no less.

The book is bright and colorful. Artist Michel Deruyer added humor and festive cheer to this touching Christmas story.

📖 « 24 Winter Stories, Brigitte Weninger, Willy Winki Editing, 2017 (4+)

A collection of popular fairy tales, one way or another related to winter, New Year or Christmas. The idea of ​​the book is to read one fairy tale from the first of December - enough just until the Catholic Christmas (the author of the book comes from Austria). Some of them, such as "Mrs. Metelitsa", "Twelve Months" or "Snow Maiden", are well known to the Russian reader. Others will be a pleasant discovery.

The book is beautifully designed. Writer Brigitte Weninger and artist Eva Tarle together created a cozy magical world on its pages. If for some reason you haven't gotten into the Christmas spirit yet, this beautiful holiday edition is sure to help.

📖 « Snow Lion, Jim Helmore, Polyandria Publishing House, 2017 (3+)

Karolina moves with her family to another city. The girl is sad and lonely, and she finds herself a friend - a snow lion. And let this fictional friend, he really helps Carolina, and when she has real friends, Leo leaves. A story about the power of imagination, thanks to which you can overcome difficulties. Looking at the gentle illustrations of Richard Jones, filled with air and light, I wanted to become a little girl for a while, play hide and seek with a lion, and maybe even ride him. And what's stopping me? A little imagination - and nothing is impossible.

📖“Visiting Santa Claus”, Mauri Kunnas, Rech publishing house, 2017 (3+)

The book tells in great detail about life in the village of Korvatunturi, where Santa Claus lives with his family and Christmas gnomes. When you open this book, you will visit Santa, meet Mrs. Claus, look into the carpentry and printing house, where work on preparing gifts is in full swing all year round, find out what little gnomes learn in a special school for Christmas gnomes, what adult gnomes do and their wives, what they love most (drinking coffee with buns), how to relax. And you will also see how fun Christmas is celebrated in Korvatunturi.

Looking at books by Mauri Kunnas is pure joy and pleasure. His illustrations for cheerfulness and an abundance of hilarious details can be compared with the work of Sven Nurdqvist.

📖"Twelve Gifts for Santa Claus", Mauri Kunnas, Rech Publishing House, 2017 (3+)

Another Christmas story from Mauri Kunnas. The gnome Ville decides to please Santa before the holiday and gets down to business. 12 days before Christmas, little Ville surprises Santa every day, but something time is running not so, and sometimes the gifts of the unlucky dwarf turn into a disaster for Santa and his team. But the very last, twelfth gift to Ville was still a success. Santa's patience and generosity can only be envied.

A touching and funny story about how important it is to take care of your loved ones, but no less important is to find kind words for those who care about us, even if they cause us a lot of trouble with their care.

📖 « Sea voyage of a polar bear cub, Hans De Beer, Enas-kniga publishing house, 2017 (3+)

This book has snowy expanses, and arctic landscapes and the endless Arctic Ocean, so it is the best suited for family reading on long winter evenings. The third book in the series about the adventures of the fidgety white bear cub Larsi, published in Russian.

This time, Larcy accidentally gets on a fishing boat that brings him to Big city. Getting into difficult situations, Larsi does not despair and always finds a way out. But no matter how exciting the journey, Larsey dreams more than anything about returning home to mom and dad. Of course, the little bear is helped by new friends he met on the road. This book is one of those that children are ready to listen to several times in a row, thanks also to the gentle, warm illustrations of Hans de Beer.

📖"Penguin Trouble", John Jory, Willy Winkie Editing, 2017 (3+)

Philosophical work on the topic of optimism and pessimism. If from the very morning you are not in a good mood and you are overcome by sad thoughts, remember the penguins. Who's in real trouble! The snow is too shiny, the ocean is too salty, and then the beak is frozen ... There are only problems all around! Everyone has those "penguin" days when everything is not as it should be. It is important that there is someone nearby who will cheer you up in a friendly way and offer to look at the situation from a different perspective. It is impossible not to smile when looking at this selflessly suffering penguin. Thanks to Lane Smith's bright expressive illustrations, the book turned out to be very stylish and memorable.

P.S. The indicated children's age is the subjective recommendation of the review author. All children are different!

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about the author

First I became a mother, then a mother who reads books to children, and now from a mother who reads, I turned into a mother who writes. It turned out that in addition to my childhood favorites "Mowgli", "Winnie the Pooh", "The Kid and Carlson", there are still a lot of children's books that I had not even heard of. I'm not talking about the new books that are being published now. It is absolutely impossible not to share the treasures that we constantly find with children, so I keep my blog about children's books, and also talk about them on the pages of Internet resources, the main readers of which are parents. I believe that every child in childhood should have a lot of interesting, kind, beautiful books.