The new year is celebrated world wide ... but ... not always in December/January. Happy New Year, Everywhere! by Arlene Erlbach and illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm explains celebrations around the world and includes activities from those countries to try here at home.

For older readers there's Happy New Year Round the World, by Lois S. Johnson and illustrated by Lili Cassel Wronker. From the fires in Iceland (as big a bon fire as can be made, sometimes with a back drop of the Northern Lights, imagine!), to all out singing in Liberia I loved learning so many new things from this book. I remember seeing a dragon in a Chinese New Year parade once, as a child, and wondering if it took practice for those underneath to manage such a large thing. (Some can be as long as 100 yards).

Lucy's daughter has won a mother/daughter make over in New York City. It might sound like fun, but maybe they should have stayed home! For a seasonal mystery, read New Year's Eve Murder by Leslie Meier (from her Lucy Stone Mystery series).

And, lastly, a late Christmas book, which came as a gift. Christmas Bells, by Jennifer Chiaverini. Part present day, part early days of the Civil War, just an excellent read! Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem that became the song we sing as 'I heard the bells on Christmas Day ...' He was missing his son who had gone off to war. Counter that with a more present day children's choir, a feisty nun, and just a bit of a romance and you have a great holiday read!

Happy New Year everyone!

Reading Hermit With Dog