Fifty years ago in 1974, the people who lived in Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australian experienced an horrific tropical cyclone named Tracy. It devastated 80% of the city and killed 66 people and ruined Christmas for everyone. Because of this anniversary there has been much written and aired about it this week. There are two picture books that explain the effects of Tracy very well, one old and one new.
Follow Me by Rick Searle and Bronwyn SearleFollow me begins when Dad was a boy. A tiny tree has taken root in the brick work of their Darwin house. Dad and Gran rescue the little plant. They put it in a pot and the next Christmas it goes into a bigger pot and so on until eventually the tree needs to go into the ground. Many years pass. Dad grows up and the tree becomes enormous. Every Christmas Dad returns to visit his mum (Gran) with his new family and to see his tree. Each year it is decorated with hundreds of Christmas lights. Then comes the Christmas of 1974.
Cyclone by Jackie French and Bruce WhatleyThe story of Cyclone Tracy as it ripped through Darwin on Christmas Eve of 1974. It’s a story about expectations, fear, loss, family, one’s home town and how one community rebuilt itself back up in the face of such devastation. It’s a story of hope and possibility.
Another interesting thing to note is that this year Hanukkah and Christmas are occurring at the same time. Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. Christmas is a Christian festival that lasts from Christmas Eve or Day and goes to Epiphany 12 days later, the day that the three kings arrived to visit Jesus in the stable.
There are many families that will no doubt be celebrating both festivals as families unite to eat together and commemorate their heritage. There are picture books that help these children see that they too, are not alone.
See:
Light the Lights! by Margaret MoormanA delightful picture book captures the warmth of family tradition as Emma and her family celebrate two holidays--Hanukkah, a time to light the menorah and play dreidl games, and Christmas, a time to sing carols and open presents.
Boris and Stella and the Perfect Gift by Dara GoldmanA delightful picture book captures the warmth of family tradition as Emma and her family celebrate two holidays--Hanukkah, a time to light the menorah and play dreidl games, and Christmas, a time to sing carols and open presents.
My Two Grandmothers by Effin OlderLily loves spending time with her Grammy Lane, riding tractors in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter. She loves playing golf and going to the clubhouse with her Bubbe Silver. And she especially loves the holidays--Christmas with Grammy and Hanukkah with Bubbe. There are Lane family traditions. And there are Silver family traditions.
Daddy Christmas Hanukkah Mama by Selina AlkoI am a mix of two traditions.
From Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama.
How lucky am I?
Holiday time at Sadie's house means golden gelt sparkling under the Christmas tree, candy canes hanging on eight menorah branches, voices uniting to sing carols about Macabees and the manger, and latkes on the mantel awaiting Santa's arrival.
