TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
Giving Tuesday
The Three Questions read by Meryl Streep
What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? Nikolai knows that he wants to be the best person he can be, but often he is unsure if he is doing the right thing. So he goes to ask Leo, the wise turtle. When he arrives, the turtle is struggling to dig in his garden, and Nikolai rushes to help him. As he finishes work, a violent storm rolls in. Nikolai runs for Leo’s cottage, but on his way, he hears cries for help from an injured panda. Nikolai brings her in from the cold, and then rushes back outside to rescue her baby too.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
Winter Solstice
Just SNOW Already! read by Julianna Margulies
Nothing is as fun as snow. At least that’s what one little boy thinks. But while he stares up at the sky, he misses all the excitement down on the street. There goes a fire engine and a monster truck! And are those monkeys!?
Just SNOW Already! captures children’s love of snow and their frustration with waiting. Bursting with hilarious details, it offers a humorous observation about living in the moment and noticing what’s around you.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
Winter Solstice
Brave Irene read by Al Gore
Brave Irene is Irene Bobbin, the dressmaker’s daughter. Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn’t feeling so well and can’t possibly deliver the beautiful ball gown she’s made for the duchess to wear that very evening. So plucky Irene volunteers to get the gown to the palace on time, in spite of the fierce snowstorm that’s brewing—quite an errand for a little girl.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day
The Elves and the Shoemaker read by Chrissy Metz
The story is a simple one, of a poor shoemaker and his wife who suddenly find they are getting help from a mysterious source. They discover their helpers are little elves, whom are working long and hard to finish making shoes. When the man and woman become rich because of the elves, they decide they must give back to the elves in return.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day
Memoirs of an Elf read by Sutton Foster
It’s Christmas Eve and Spark Elf has the very important job of keeping Santa Claus on schedule as he travels the globe in 24 hours delivering presents. Small in stature with pointy ears and stopwatch in hand, Spark lets Santa know it’s time to go. He programs the GPS while the other elves secure the toy bag and check the Nice list. Little known fact: We don’t even bring the Naughty list with us. Six hours into the trip Santa, sleigh and crew begin to fall behind–so many cuddly doggies to pet and extra cookies to eat. The jolly group makes up time in Brazil and soon find themselves back at the North Pole. Their work is done. But wait, there’s something left in the bag–but it isn’t a present at all–it’s a family dog! Well known fact: Santa gives things away. He does not take things! Momma Claus comes to the rescue with a plan to get the dog back to his family. Can Santa return the family’s beloved pooch in time to keep their Christmas merry?
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25 – THURSDAY, JANUARY 2
Hanukkah
Hanukkah in Alaska read by Molly Ephraim
Hanukkah in Alaska is unlike anywhere else. Snow piles up over the windows. Daylight is only five hours long. And one girl finds a moose camped out in her backyard, right near her favorite blue swing. She tries everything to lure it away: apples, carrots, even cookies. But it just keeps eating more tree! It’s not until the last night of Hanukkah that a familiar Jewish holiday tradition provides the perfect-and surprising-solution.
