The Trees of the Dancing Goats

Author and illustrator Patricia Polacco had a wonderfully interesting childhood, which makes for delightful pictures books (read more here) – and her holiday books are no exception.

In The Trees of the Dancing Goats, Polacco describes one Hanukkah she celebrated with her mother, brother and grandparents in snowy Michigan.  She tells about her family’s traditions centered around the Jewish holiday, and how she discovered her best friend’s family were sick with scarlet fever that December.  Her family discovers that most of their neighbors are sick with the fever, while their family is spared.

In the midst of the celebration, they decide they have to do something for their neighbors, who are too sick to enjoy their Christmas.  So, the whole family works together to deliver Christmas trees, food and Christmas spirit to their neighbors.

In turn, once they are healthy, their neighbors join them to celebrate Hanukkah.

The Trees of the Dancing Goats is a story of sacrifice and service to neighbors who are different than you – the true spirit of Christmas.  And Hanukkah.

Recommended for ages 3 to 10.