The Trees of the Dancing Goats - Patricia Polacco
While Trisha and her family prepare for the Jewish holidays, the neighboring Kremmel family is preparing for Christmas. When scarlet fever strikes the Kremmel family, Trisha and her grandmother help make the Kremmel's Christmas a special one. Full-color illustrations. \nTrisha loves the eight days of Hanukkah, when her mother stays home from work, her Babushka makes delicious potato latkes, and her Grampa carves wonderful animals out of wood as gifts for Trisha and her brother. In the middle of her family's preparation for the festival of lights, Trisha visits her closest neighbors, expecting to find them decorating their house for Christmas. Instead they are all bedridden with scarlet fever. Trisha's family is one of the few who has been spared from the epidemic. It is difficult for them to enjoy their Hanukkah feast when they know that their neighbors won't be able to celebrate their holiday. Then Grampa has an inspiration: they will cut down trees, decorate them, and secretly deliver them to the neighbors, But what can we decorate them with? Babushka asks. Although it is a sacrifice, Trisha realizes that Grampa's carved animals are the perfect answer. Soon her living room is filled with trees -- but that is only the first miracle of many during an incredible holiday season. \nBased on a long cherished childhood memory, this story celebrates the miracle of true friendship.