Put A Sock On It

Great children's books for the stockings.

Here are two gifts, magnificent if you are munificent, for the holidays. Though these books aren't necessarily new, they work well in tandem with local performances. First, The Nutcracker—always a fine choice. Its companion gift: tickets to the Nutcracker ballet. Children will love the valiant prince who battles the evil Mouse King, the dance of the sugar plum fairy, and other magical delights—presented by the Pennsylvania Ballet Company at the Academy box office, (215) 551-7000.

Another unforgettable "twin" gift: Charlotte's Web and tickets to the local production about Charlotte, the spider, who falls in love with Wilbur, the pig. The Arden Children's Theatre makes its eagerly awaited debut with this drama, featuring live actors, original music, and puppets. The play runs through Jan. 3. For information, call the Arden, (215) 922-1122.

Here are two "Twelve Days of Christmas" books. One marvelous, one despicable.

Twelve Days of Christmas

Illustrated by Maggie Kneen

Dutton, $15.99, ages 6-11

Unfold this holiday keepsake and the book becomes a stand-alone frieze for windowsill or table. Each of the 12 punch-out tree decorations has a glorious picture and line from the song, beginning with "a partridge in a pair tree." Display the frieze each Christmas.

Disney's Doug: The Twelve Days of Christmas

By Linda K. Garvey

Disney Press, $8.95, ages 5-9

Disney, as always, vulgarizes the classics. In this unfunny book with idiotic drawings, the "gifts" are nematodes and nerds. Twelve Days of Christmas my ass! Avoid this book.

The Menorah Story

Text and paintings by Mark Podwal

Greenwillow, $15, ages 5-12

This is a tale of wicked King Antiochus whose "elephants carried [to war] towers of soldiers and slave dealers to whom he promised to sell captured Jews." But after Judas Maccabee, with outnumbered troops, wins the battle, he proclaims a commemoration of the victory and of the menorah that burned in the Temple for eight days without holy oil. A mythically powerful book, and an ideal gift for Hanukkah.

How I Saved Hanukkah

By Amy Goldman Koss, illustrated by Diane De Groat

Dial, $15.99, ages 7-10

Marla is Jewish, but she doesn't know what Hanukkah is! Her parents are not observant. Happily, she convinces them to hold a Hanukkah party with Jewish and gentile friends. They dance the hora and eat latkes. Marla herself tells the Hanukkah story. Later, her mother asks her if she wants to buy Christmas ornaments. "Nah, we're Jewish," she says. How she finds herself, religiously and emotionally, is the theme of this lively story.

Jingle Bells

By Nick Butterworth

Orchard Books, $15.95, ages 5-8

When two mice have trouble with a nasty cat, who empties their Christmas stockings, they place a tiny sleighbell on a red ribbon around his neck to warn them of his approach. Moral: use your head to solve a problem.

Coppélia

As told by Dame Margot Fonteyn

Art by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher

Gulliver Books, $17, all ages

Prima ballerina Fonteyn gives the world of dance a last gift with this book, completed shortly before her death in 1991. Coppelia is a doll so lifelike that she captures the heart of a handsome villager whose jealous fiancée devises a plan to teach him, and the magic doll-maker, a lesson. Discover the surprise ending yourself. Using oils instead of the usual acrylics, the artists offer fluid, vibrant colors, making this the perfect gift for balletomanes of all ages.