A bit from the Kids' Culture Center newsletter:

All of these can be found at

http://www.kidsculturecenter.com

We thought we'd point out to you some of our favorite holiday selections:

The Christmas Hat by A.J. Wood
When Rabbit and Badger adopt a lost baby owl, they don't realize how challenging it will be to look after him -- especially when his downy white feathers help him disappear in the snow. Rabbit creates a Christmas surprise for Little Owl that will make finding him easier. But danger lurks in the woods, and Rabbit and Badger are not the only ones who see Little Owl more clearly in his new red hat ... http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/adoption/adopt_book.htm

How the Russian Snow Maiden Helped Santa Claus
A cross-cultural Christmas treasure! Santa Claus is overworked one year and writes for help to his friend Father Frost, the Russian Santa. Santa Claus asks whether Frost's granddaughter and helper, the Snow Maiden, could come to the North Pole and pitch in. Father Frost agrees and sends the Snow Maiden to the North Pole with a nesting doll (a matryoshka) to remind her of her home in Russia. http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/russia/russ_book.htm. Our lovely Snow Maiden matryoshka paired with this book make a lovely gift set: http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/russia/russ_doll.htm

Baboushka and the Three Kings by Ruth Robbins
The Russian folktale about an old woman's endless search for the Christ child. http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/russia/russ_book.htm

Five Piece Nesting Christmas Doll
Made in Russia. The largest stands at 3" tall. A delightful stocking stuffer, this Christmas Doll offers Father Frost (called Santa in the West) in a red suit, the Snow Maiden, a penguin, a snowman, and a Christmas tree. http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/russia/russ_doll.htm

Five Piece Nesting Father Frost Doll
Made in Russia. The largest stands at 4" tall. The perfect stocking stuffer for Santa collectors, this 5 piece doll features an assortment of St. Nicks all nested together. One holds a candy cane, one a Christmas ornament, one a whole bag full of toys. http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/russia/russ_doll.htm

Book/Matroyshka Gift Sets
The Littlest Matryoshka by Corinne Bliss
Book with matching 6-piece Matroyshka
"Goodbye Anna," said Nikolai, and he kissed her forehead. "Keep your sisters safe inside you and may you find a happy home."
So begins the journey of matryoshka sisters Nina, Nadia, Vanda, Varka, Olga, and Anna, from a village in Russia to a toy store in America. But once there, the littlest sister, Nina, is swept off the edge of the shelf. While her older sisters find their way into the hands of a caring new owner, Nina begins a perilous journey that takes her from the street in front of the toy store, down waterfalls, rivers and streams. How will Nina ever be reunited with her sisters? This tender, old-fashioned story is a testament to the power of sisterly love and a celebration of matryoshkas, the cherished Russian nesting dolls. http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/russia/russ_book.htm

The Magic Nesting Doll by Jacqueline K. Ogburn
Book with matching 4-piece Matroyshka
A wicked spell has changed the Tsarevitch, a handsome young prince, into ice. Now only a poor peasant girl named Katya can save him, using ingenuity and her grandmother's magic nesting doll. But the Grand Vizier, the cruel wizard who cast the spell, has no intention of letting Katya destroy his handiwork, and he will fight her every step of the way. Is Katya strong enough to prevail and set the Tsarevitch free? http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/russia/russ_book.htm


The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie DePaolo
Tomie dePaola's glorious paintings are as luminous as the farolitos that light up on the Plaza in Santa Fe for the procession of Las Posadas, the tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve. This year Sister Angie, who is always in charge of the celebration, has to stay home with the flu, and Lupe and Roberto, who are to play Mary and Joseph, get caught in a snowstorm. But a man and a woman no one knows arrive in time to take their place in the procession and then mysteriously disappear at the end before they can be thanked. That night we witness a Christian miracle, for when Sister Angie goes to the cathedral and kneels before the statue of Mary and Joseph, wet footprints from the snow lead up to the statue. http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/guatemala/guat_book.htm


Christmas Around the World Coloring Book
Learn how Christmas is celebrated around the world by coloring 30 scenes of young carolers in Great Britain, Mexican children playing under a piñata, a Swedish girl wearing a traditional crown of candles, Greek children parading with drums and triangles--even an Australian family picnicking on a beach! http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/multicult/multicult_book.htm


Kwanzaa Weaving Mat
Practice weaving as you create one of the symbols of Kwanzaa! Traditional colors and simple design make this craft fun and easy. 12/pkg. http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/multicult/multicult_toy.htm


Multicultural Calendar and Sticker Set
Study art projects and cultures from cultures from around the world! Each month of this large calendar features one country, its flag, traditionally dressed child, country outline, instructional art projects, famous landmark and child-friendly recipe or game. This is a year-round calendar kit with coordinated cultural crafts and activities for each month. Beautifully designed, the calendar pages are illustrated with bright colors and patterns that are unique to each country. Extra large: 16"x23". 30 pages. 197 Holiday and cultural stickers. Includes idea guide. http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/multicult/multicult_toy.htm

Board game - Passport To CultureTM
Travel the world with your Passport To CultureTM! The World Culture Game is an international education unto itself and a unique gift appealing to adults and children (10+). From Andorra to Zimbabwe, this fun, educational board game tests your knowledge of world cultures with question and answer cards on every country in the world. Not just for world travelers, Passport To CultureTM is the board game where players can discover their CQ® (Cultural IntelligenceTM) with fascinating, fun-filled facts about people and places, food and drink, world treasures, greetings and gestures, or customs and traditions.

More than a family, fun, party, trivia game, Passport To CultureTM is also utilized by schools and museums and offers an education in diverse topics including: culture, geography, social studies, anthropology, critical thinking, and much more! Discover the fun as you travel on an educational journey around the world. Grab your copy of Passport To CultureTM today! 2 to 6 players. http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/multicult/multicult_toy.htm

And don't forget about your child's teacher! From skin-toned paper to craft kits and calendars, teachers just love our multicultural selection. Be sure to check it out: http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/multicult/multicult_toy.htm

Thanks for the suggestions Dawn!