So, here are a few volumes that have come my way. Some are gems; others are worthwhile, at least, for a moment's pleasure.
Which are treasures and which ephemera? That may be in the eye of the reader, so I'll let you decide. They're all available from the booksellers mentioned above.
One of the most memorable books I received as a gift as a child was on the paper-folding art of origami. I don't recall who gave me the book. It could have been my father — much of my childhood was spent in Japan, where origami originated, while he was in the Marines.
What I do remember are the exquisite origami papers and the directions that taught me how to create magical objects with them. The book captivated me for many months, long after the Christmas I received it.
Memories of paper cranes and lanterns and ships came back when I happened upon "Jewish Holiday Origami," by Joel Stern and "Jewish Origami 1" and "Jewish Origami 2," by Florence Temko. Any or all of these books would make enchanting Hanukkah gifts — not necessarily only for children.
Stern's book provides instructions for 24 projects (rated for degree of difficulty from beginner to intermediate to advanced) and related to Jewish holy days — including Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover and Shavuot — for which it also gives succinct explanations. At $5.95 it's a bargain, even though you have to supply your own paper.
Temko's books have full-color illustrations with each project's step-by-step instructions and come with paper, though with fewer projects each. Once created, the origami menorahs, Torahs, frogs, goats, pyramids, human figures, a parting Red Sea and more make splendid props for telling holiday stories.
On the heels of Hanukkah comes Christmas, among whose Christian celebrators might find David Gregory's "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering" a fitting gift.
