Holiday Books for Everyone on Your List

(ARA) - Books are always a welcome gift, especially when you take the time to tailor the volume to the recipient. If you're looking for a unique selection of books for the hard-to-buy-for friend or relative on your list, your search is over.

Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers offers an eclectic selection of books, many in Latin. You're probably thinking "But I don't know anyone who speaks Latin." Believe it or not, that doesn't matter. These are not your typical Latin books, and you don't have to speak or read Latin to appreciate them (but you just might learn some along the way).

There's sure to be something for everyone on your list -- and you're sure to be asked "Where in the world did you find that?" Although many of the titles are typically thought of as children's books, these editions appeal to the young and the young at heart.

While the company offers many books you may not have seen before, perhaps the most popular items in their collection are familiar favorites that have been translated into Latin. "The Giving Tree," Shel Silverstein's parable of a lifelong relationship between a boy and the tree who happily responds to his every need, is retold in Latin in "Arbor alma." This Latin-language edition, featuring Silverstein's original artwork, is a delightful way to revisit a treasured tale.

For the Dr. Seuss fan on your list, consider "Quomodo Invidiosulus nomine Grinchus Christi natalem Abrogaverit," ("How the Grinch Stole Christmas," in case you haven't guessed) or "Cattus Petasatus" ("The Cat in the Hat"). The Latin translation of the Grinch, one of Dr. Seuss' most beloved books, was first published n 1998, and has become a cult hit. "People really enjoy seeing this book in Latin," says editor Marie Bolchazy. The Latin translation recreates the enchanting poetry of a Christmas classic. "'The Cat in the Hat' also captures peoples' fancy, perhaps because it was the first book for so many children," says Bolchazy. Both translations feature the original artwork.

Other children's titles include the Latin version of "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," and two "I Am Learning Latin" books, "Quid Edam?" ("What Will I Eat") and "Quot Animalia?" ("How Many Animals?"). These last two are perfect for children ages 4-8.

If you're looking for a gift for the whole family, "Slovak Tales for Young and Old" is the perfect choice. This book showcases to the English-speaking world Slovak folk tales by Pavol Dobsinky. These stories are representative of the Slovak oral tradition, and fall into three categories: traditional fairy tales, complete with magic spells, wicked stepmothers, multi-headed dragons and fantastic journeys; animal tales, in which many of the principal characters are barnyard or forest creatures with human traits; and finally, stories in which an ordinary individual is able to outwit a potential enemy, human or otherwise, and triumph in the end, sometimes quite by accident. The book is bilingual, with English translations in front and the original Slovak version in the back of the book. Fourteen color and sixty black-and-white reproductions of the work of Slovak artist Martin Benka complement the stories.

And now for something completely different, there's "Shock-Headed Peter," a Latin/English/German tri-lingual edition of "Der Scruffypete," the best-known German children's book by Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann. Also known as "Slovenly Peter" in English- speaking countries, these cautionary tales satisfy the very human urge to see people get their just deserts. Every recalcitrant child and cruel adult in these stories get what's coming to them, in just a few pages. The book includes an afterward by Walter Sauer on the history of the work and its Latin translation, as well as a select Latin-English glossary. Samples of the stories include Cruel Frederick (dog abuser "bites" the dust), Harriet and the Matches (cat duo predicts pyromaniac girl's demise) and Little Suck-a-Thumb (tailor with scissors -- enough said).

These books and more are featured on the "holiday specials" section of the Bolchazy- Carducci Web site, www.bolchazy.com. Best of all, every book in the holiday section is available for 50 percent off the regular price through the holidays. So delight someone on your shopping list with one of these unusual selections.

Courtesy of ARA Content

### EDITOR'S NOTE: To receive review copies of any of the books mentioned in this article, e-mail your request to latin@bolchazy.com.