Holiday hits

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Holiday Hits

The full-blown holiday season has officially begun. (Yes, that was Jingle Bells you just heard in the grocery store.) Time to think about what to give, what to get and what to do with the kids during all those vacation days ahead. Here's a list of some of your best options.

Movies
Deck the Halls
Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito go head to head as a well-mannered suburban dad and the manic neighbor determined to create the biggest holiday light display in the world. Kristin Davis and Alia Shawkat round out the family fun. Rated PG.

Happy Feet
Mumble the Emperor Penguin needs a heart song to attract a soul mate, but he's a terrible singer – though he sure can tap dance! This animated musical comedy features the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. Rated PG.

Charlotte's Web
This updated live-action version stars Dakota Fanning as Fern and Julia Roberts as the voice of Charlotte the spider. The animals come to life with the voices of John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Redford and Kathy Bates. Rated G.

TV
Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front
If you've got a little girl at home who loves American Girl dolls, this is one for the TiVo. Popular character Molly McIntire is a nine-year-old girl growing up on the home front in 1944. In this new TV movie, she deals with the changes brought on by World War II. Sun., 11/26, 8/7, Disney Channel.

Toot & Puddle
Follow these adventurous best friends in "I'll Be Home for Christmas," as Toot heads to the Emerald Isle while Puddle prepares for the holidays. Based on the Toot & Puddle books by Holly Hobbie. Wed., 12/13, 5pm (ET), Noggin.

Books
Merry Un-Christmas by Mike Reiss; illustrated by David Catrow
A cautionary tale for anyone who's ever wished Christmas was every day. In Christmas City it comes 364 days a year! Noelle and her friends' lives consist of nothing but opening gifts and eating big meals. In fact, the only thing they have to look forward to is Un-Christmas, the one day a year when the decorations come down, mail gets delivered and they get to go to school. Ages 3-7.
CDs
Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukkah by The Klezmatics
When America's premiere Yiddish band interprets Woody Guthrie's newly discovered Jewish-themed lyrics (inspired by his Coney Island home), the result is a Hanukkah collection full of toe-tapping energy and great music.

The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas
Everyone in Bear Country is going Christmas crazy, fighting over toys and honking in traffic. When Rip-Off Ralph arrives with his Holiday Sweepstakes scheme, Santa Bear decides he'll have to cancel Christmas. It's up to the family to save the day with a little simplicity.

New Orleans Playground (Putumayo Kids) and New Orleans Christmas (Putumayo World Music)
Support the rebuilding of New Orleans and bring the Big Easy home for the holidays. New Orleans Playground offers kid-friendly tunes by Kermit Ruffins, Dr. John, Fats Domino, Charmaine Neville, the Meters and others. New Orleans Christmas features holiday carols with the Heritage Hall Jazz Band, Ellis Marsalis and Topsy Chapman. A portion of proceeds go to the New Orleans Children's Museum's music exhibit and Habitat for Humanity's Musician's Village project.