'Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve?' - Read and Rise Book Club December 2020

Christmas is almost here! There are so many Christmas books I had a hard time figuring out what books I would share here this week. I finally chose to highlight Jan Brett because I love the variety of Christmas books she has and that they are based on folktales, making them stand out from the pack. "Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve?" is based on the Norwegian folktale, "The Cat on the Dovrefjell." 

Featured story: "Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve?" by Jan Brett

Activity: Since our book is based on a Norwegian folktale, our activity is based on Norwegian traditions. And one thing that is prominent in Norway around the holidays is gingerbread cookies, or pepperkaker. But they don't just make cookies in Norway, they make Pepperkakebyen gingerbread towns, the largest of which is in Bergen, Norway. Now, none of us may be prepared to make a massive gingerbread town, but we can all make a batch of gingerbread cookies or a gingerbread house! You can get a gingerbread house kit from the store or just collect graham crackers, frosting, and candies and get creative. Whatever you do, just taking some time to create and spend time with your family will make for wonderful holiday memories!