Two important traditions rooted in books still prevail during Christmas holidays, continuing from the days when my children were small. They still ask for the pumpkin bread from the Frederica Fare cookbook, so I baked two fresh loaves Sunday morning and we devoured one, slathering each slice with our favorite Irish butter. Christmas isn’t Christmas without it.
We make pinecone birdfeeders each year after we read the book Night Tree by Eve Bunting, taking the treats to a tree in our yard and hanging them for the songbirds and other critters to have their Christmas feast. The kids enjoyed the sensory experience of gathering pinecones, coating them with Crisco, and rolling them in birdseed. This year, it was a special moment seeing my son and his family all engaged in this time-honored tradition that is a testament to the power of a book to create family pastimes.
The book was a Christmas gift that my daughter’s kindergarten teacher purchased with book club points for each child in the class back in 1992. Once we read the book together that year, we decided to make our own tree. We’ve been doing it ever since. In fact, the morning my son called at the end of 2012 from Tennessee to say he was planning to propose that evening, I was outside with the oldest grandchild making our Night Tree. A decade and five children later, here they are – – carrying on the tradition that started in the pages of a childhood book.
I also shared this book with one of our school district’s partner preschool centers this year in a professional development session at the beginning of December. Teachers read the book to each class, and they made their own class critter trees. The teachers sent me the photos of smiling, proud little ones who now watch from the windows to see the birds come, just as we do.
Never underestimate the power of a book to make a difference and shape thinking. Cookbooks and children’s picture books are filled with all sorts of magic. Sharing sacred traditions with the next generation is a rich gift of grandparenthood.
Common Threads 
Yes to traditions sparked by books! Thank you for sharing this beautiful slice.
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Books and traditions are such an important part of childhood, and adulthood!
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Thank you, Becky!
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Kim,
I love seeing the children making the pine cone bird feeders and reading about your family traditions. I wonder what book will become the most important in my grandson’s life. Is that book still in print? And what makes that pumpkin bread so special? I have fudge and peanut brittle recipes I’ve been making since 1982 from a tiny recipe book I got while teaching in Arizona.
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Glenda, watch your mail. I had an extra copy, and it’s on the way to you. It’ll be there the 27th. The pumpkin bread, I think, is special because it has been a part of something we’ve looked forward to each year. I’m excited about your grandson’s love of books.
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What a deliciously sweet slice! I only recently tasted pumpkin bread and liked it, but it wasn’t homemade. This is a beautiful tradition your family continues; the photos are beautiful!
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Thank you, Britt!
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I love how this book and craft unites your professional life, life as a parent, and life as a grandparent.
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Thank you, Fran!
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I have loved this book for many, many years. I have made many of these bird feeders with my preschoolers, when I taught. I love that it is your family tradition! Just awesome, Kim! Merry Christmas!
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Maureen, how am I not surprised at all that you would love this book and know it so well? I think your love of nature and young children, like mine, leads us to the discoveries of all the best children’s literature – – and naturally leads us to want to do what the family does in this story. Merry Christmas to you, too, Maureen!
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Kim – I love that a teacher and a book has that much impact after so many years. It makes me hopeful. Love the photos too – a real family tradition.
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