McKee Library

Merry Christmas!  To ring in the holidays, here are some interesting and heart-warming resources about Christmas that McKee Library provides to bring some extra Yuletide cheer. 

Streaming Media

The Nutcracker Ballet

This classic tale takes place on the night before Christmas, when Clara and Franz receive a Nutcracker as a gift from their uncle. This present sparks a magical dream, and a night filled with amazing stories and characters. The Mouse King, Sugar Fairies, Chime Puppets and other timeless characters, makes this ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s music, an unforgettable experience.

Come, All Ye Faithful: Music of Christmas

Conclude with a look at the rich tradition of Christmas music. Explore music designed for yuletide religious services, as well as musical works that became associated with Christmas. Learn how 19th-century composers created a beloved legacy of Christmas carols by resurrecting older ones, writing new ones, and making hybrids of old texts and new music.

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story

Everybody knows the story of Santa Claus, the red–suited figure who lives at the North Pole and distributes gifts to good children every Christmas Eve. But is there any historical evidence on which this jolly old character is based? Was there a real Santa Claus? To answer that question, host Mark Wilson, a distinguished historian and archeologist travels not to the North Pole but to modern day Turkey and Italy. There he uncovers clues that lead to the truth about the man behind the legend.

Books

Immerse yourself in the cheer of Christmas by clicking on these books!

Happy first month of winter!  Relish in the winter wonderland by exploring these library resources below.

Streaming Media

Photographing Winter Wildlife

Winter weather offers a stunning environment in which to photograph wild animals. Comb through Mr. Laman's shots of snow monkeys, cranes, and other animals to glean the technical aspects of shooting outdoors in the winter, including honing your focusing skills and capturing the drama of a snow storm.

Blizzards and Winter Cyclones

Look back at historical blizzards that paralyzed major U.S. cities. Then probe the official definition of a blizzard, the cold-weather cyclone systems that create them, and the revolution in forecasting blizzards since 1993. Focus on the role of the jet stream, and dispel a common misunderstanding of the polar vortex.

Winter’s Peace

Today Bob Ross paints a warm and elegant snow-kissed scene with a little cabin snuggled deeply into the embrace of foothills, evergreens and bushes.

Antarctic Edge: 70° South

A thrilling journey to the world's most perilous environment, Antarctic Edge: 70° South joins a team of world-class scientists as they explore the fastest warming place on earth: the West Antarctic Peninsula.

Books

Click on the book covers below to explore books about the winter season.