In Dream Snow, by Eric Carle, a farmer dreams of snowflakes falling in a white blanket on his five farm animals and barn. Beautifully and colorfully illustrated in the same manner as his famous The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this is a great book for celebrating December, winter, and Christmas. It teaches young children about counting to five and…
“Christmas in Vermont” Book Discussion and Maple Cinnamon Shortbread Cookie Recipe
Emma has a problematic habit: after one year of dating, she realizes each guy she’s with just isn’t marriage material, and she breaks up with him. So now, she’s suffering through winter in New York with a broken radiator (when she should have been on a tropical vacation with her now ex-boyfriend), working on a…
“The Sugar Queen” Discussion and Peppermint Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Peppermint Whipped Cream Frosting
Josey Cirrini’s mother is a bitter, wealthy woman who judges her daughter incessantly, demanding to be chauffeured to social events, and in waiting on her, Josey missed having a life of her own. At thirty, Josey spends all of her free time alone, hiding in her secret closet filled with the forbidden sweets and travel…
“One Day in December” Book Discussion and Chocolate Cupcake Recipe With Chocolate Mousse Topping
A single, sarcastic girl makes eye contact across a crowded bus station with a handsome boy, and wishes she got off the bus and got his number. Then the girl—Laurie—spends the next year searching for him in every pub in London. A year later at a Christmas party, Laurie’s best friend, Sarah, brings home Jack,…
“Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf” Book Discussion and a “Donut” Cupcake Recipe
Shmelf is a new elf employed by Santa to look over the list of nice kids. He notices that some nice kids are not on the list for Christmas presents! When he asks why, Shmelf is told that these children are Jewish and they celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday when their parents give them eight nights…
“P.S. I Love You” Book Discussion and Strawberry Jam and Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
Holly’s husband Gerry has just died of a brain tumor. She thought they would have the rest of their lives together, and instead she has to learn how to be a widow before she has even turned thirty. But Gerry didn’t leave her to fend for herself completely. He left a series of letters for…
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” Book Discussion and Grinch Cupcakes Recipe
Every Who down in Whoville loves Christmas, but the Grinch hated the Whos and their Christmas celebrations, especially the noise and singing. So the Grinch devises a wicked plan to steal all the Christmas decorations and presents and food from every house, hoping it will ruin Christmas for the town. The Grinch dresses his dog…
“A Christmas Carol” Book Discussion and Citrus Spice Cupcakes Recipe
“Marley was dead: to begin with”—one of the greatest opening lines of a novel. Ebenezer Scrooge, money and mortgage lender, miserable miser, and wretched soul despises Christmas and anything to do with the happiness he has lost. Then the ghost of his former work partner, Jacob Marley, comes to warn him of the greater sorrows…
“Jane Eyre” Book Discussion and Orange Almond Cardamom Cupcakes Recipe
Jane Eyre is an orphaned governess who develops romantic feelings for her employer, Mr. Rochester, a man ensconced in tragedy. Sent away to an orphanage as a child by her cruel aunt, Jane’s attachments in life have been few. At Lowood, she gains a friend whose perspectives enable Jane to reign in her anger and…