Each month a variety of observances and celebrations take place, from well-known holidays to much lesser known fun (and downright funny or strange!) observances.  Here are some great younger reads to go with some of them.

December is National Pear Month

Too Many Pears by Jackie French
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Pamela the cow loves pears, and will do just about anything to get them. But will anyone else ever get to eat a pear again? Certainly not until Pamela has had her fill . . . and chooses something else to eat!

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears by Cynthia Rylant
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It is fall and juicy things are growing in Mr. Putter’s backyard–apples, tomatoes, and pears. Mr. Putter dreams of all the juicy things he loves to eat, but most of all, he dreams of pear jelly. There’s only one problem–cranky legs keep him from climbing up to pick the pears.

December 5th-11th is Hand Washing Awareness Week

Wash Your Hands! by Tony Ross
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When the little princess hears about the germs and nasties living all around her, she understands the importance of washing her hands. 

Wash Your Hands! by Margaret McNamara
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Mrs. Connor's classroom learns about washing their hands and the importance of keeping germs away!

December 8th is Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day

Doctor Who: The Runaway Tardis by Rebecca Gyllenhaal
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Unable to make friends at her new school, Lizzie packs a bag and runs away. After accidentally stowing away in the TARDIS, she meets the Doctor, a mysterious woman who claims to be a time-traveling space alien. When the TARDIS malfunctions, Lizzie and the Doctor are sent catapulting through time and space, visiting the pyramids, the dinosaurs, an alien planet, and more. Along the way, Lizzie learns that making new friends isn't so hard after all . . . but will she ever be able to get back home?

Team Trash: A Time Traveler’s Guide to Sustainability by Kate Wheeler
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Studious environmentalist Charlie is stuck with a science fair partner who seems like her complete opposite- Charlie wants to save the planet, and all Oliver wants is to doodle in his notebook. But when a mechanical mishap sends the two traveling back through time, they'll have to work as a team to return to the present day.

December 18th is National Twin Day

Twins by Mike Ciccotello
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A boy who plays everything from leap frog to piano duets with his twin brother loves being a twin, even when they disagree.

Meet Isabel and NIcki by Julia DeVillers and Jennifer Roy
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Isabel and Nicki Hoffman may be twins, but they're each one of a kind. Isabel loves dancing with her friends, while Nicki prefers skateboarding alone. In December 1999, the girls create a list of challenges to complete before midnight on New Year's Eve. But just before the new millennium arrives, disaster strikes. Will the most momentous night of their lives be a twin win or a sister setback?

December 21st is National Flashlight Day

Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
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In this story without words, a boy explores the woods after dark with a flashlight.

Flashlight Fish by Caitie McAneney
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Flashlight fish get their name from their ability to glow. These fish can't glow on their own, though. They get their light from tiny bacteria that live in their bodies. Readers learn more about these fish and the bacteria that give them their glow with the help of informative text and fun fact boxes.