As the holidays approach, the Pekin Public Library is welcoming the season with new books and DVDs for both children and adults, as well as a variety of fun programs. This year, a plethora of new titles promises to entertain, educate, and inspire, making them perfect for families looking to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit. 

The children's section is brimming with enchanting new picture books and chapter books that capture the magic of the holidays. One standout title is “Dasher and the Polar Bear” by Matt Tavares. In this all-new Christmas tale, Dasher the reindeer discovers that the only thing better than making Christmas magic is making a new friend to share it with. Another popular series, Knight Owl, brings “Knight Owl’s Little Christmas,” by Christopher Denise. In this festive board book, Knight Owl and friends gather for a special Christmas celebration bursting with holiday cheer, featuring beloved characters from the #1 New York Times bestselling series. In nonfiction, another beautifully illustrated new book is “The Giving Flower: The Story of the Poinsettia,” by Alda Dobbs. This is a lyrical picture book about the Poinsettia flower and the holiday traditions it has inspired. Other options popular with little ones include “Crocodile Christmas,” “Llama a Gift for Mama,” and “The Digger and the Christmas Tree.” Also, check our online calendar for fun holiday events, such as Grinch Fest on December 12-13, the Snowflake Scavenger Hunt during Winter Break, and the ever-popular Noon Year’s Eve party and Balloon Drop on December 30. A complete list of events can be found on our website.

Adult readers will also find an exciting array of new titles in the library's holiday collections. “The Christmas Stranger,” by Richard Paul Evans, another #1 New York Times bestselling author, brings a powerful and thought-provoking holiday story about love, loss, and the mysterious workings of heaven. Author Jenny Colgan’s “The Secret Christmas Library” is a story filled with mystery, romance, and holiday spirit about a book hunter hired to find a priceless book in his inherited, book-filled Scottish castle. Another popular title, “A Carol For Mrs. Dickens,” tells the story of Catherine Dickens, wife of Charles Dickens, who experiences her own Christmas Eve transformation as she magically travels through her cherished memories to rediscover her lost love of Christmas. The library has also stocked lots of holiday romance titles, such as “Snowkissed,” by RaeAnne Thayne, “A Ferry Merry Christmas,” by Debbie Macomber, and “Holiday Ever After,” by Hannah Grace. Adults will also enjoy our Hallmark Christmas Movies and Crafts on Fridays at 10am in December, Craft and Movie Night (Elf) on December 11, and Patchwork Tote Bags on December 16!

The library boasts a vast collection of holiday DVDs for adults, children, and families. New to this year’s collection is “Holiday Touchdown: a Chiefs Love Story,” about Alana, a Kansas City Chiefs fan whose family is competing to win the team's Fan of the Year contest, which is being judged by Derrick, who has recently moved to Kansas City to work as the Chiefs' director of fan engagement. Another choice is “Hope’s Hollywood Christmas,” about a struggling single mom who takes a temp job with an aging movie star and teams up with the star's chauffeur to stop a scheming lawyer and agent from stealing her fortune, finding love and holiday magic along the way.

Whether you're seeking the perfect children's story, a heartfelt novel, or an entertaining film for family movie night, there's something here to enhance your holiday celebration. Don't forget to mark your calendars for the exciting events planned throughout December. Embrace the spirit of the season with a visit to the library, where every page turned and every film watched brings a touch of magic to your holidays!