(ARA) - Tradition takes center stage during the winter holidays. Families come together to enjoy dishes made from the same recipes their great-grandmothers used. Decorations handed down from generation to generation are displayed with loving care. Family stories that everyone has heard many times before are retold. Let's support these family gatherings - they, above all, cement family ties and reinforce sound values.

For some families, reading the holiday classics like "Quomodo Invidiosulus nomine GRINCHUS Christi natalem Abrogaverit," "Virent Ova! Virent Perna!!" and "Cattus Petasatus" together is another cherished tradition. Those books aren't in your holiday collection? Actually, they probably are - just not the Latin versions.

Published by Bolchazy-Carducci, a company that specializes in classical books, these Latin translations of family favorites "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Green Eggs and Ham" and "The Cat in the Hat" make great holiday gifts.

"The wonderful thing about these translations of Dr. Seuss is that you don't have to speak or read Latin to appreciate them," says Marie Bolchazy, a co-owner of the publishing company. Indeed, even those who don't know any Latin will find certain words or phrases sounding very familiar. "The linguistic term for these sound-alikes is "derivative words," explains Bolchazy. "You can figure out the Latin meaning of words like 'cattus,' 'nomine,' and 'ova,' for example, from their English derivatives - cat, name, nomination and ovary."

The translations of the Dr. Seuss favorites echo the love of word play and the rhythmic narrative of the world's best-selling author. "Part of our mission is to popularize Latin," says publisher Marie Bolchazy. "What better way to do that than through these wonderful, whimsical stories?" she adds. The Wall St. Journal agrees. On March 14, 2001, the paper had a front page article on the Dr. Seuss Latin translations.

Holiday classics "Vere, Virginia, Sanctus Nicolaus est!" ("Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus") and "Arbor Alma" ("The Giving Tree") have also been translated into Latin.

"Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" was first published in 1897. Written by New York Sun editor Francis Pharcellus Church in response to Virginia O'Hanlon's earnest question, "Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?" Church's reply, on the marvels of the unseen but very real world of wonder, is now part of Christmas lore. This keepsake volume, with text in both Latin and English, is handsomely scripted and charmingly illustrated, making for a great gift and a wonderful family heirloom. It's the perfect gift for your children or grandchildren, made more special when you inscribe a heartfelt message inside.

And what holiday book list would be complete without Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree?" The evocative parable of a lifelong relationship between a boy and the tree who happily responds to the boy's every need captures the spirit of the season. "The simple grandeur of Latin complements that of Silverstein's original story and illustrations, and makes this significant parable a memento from the giver," says Bolchazy.

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, reminding us always that, happiness, like Christmas, is something more than can be bought in a store; that there is reality that cannot be seen by the brain but only by the human spirit. "These are great guiding values," says Bolchazy.

So why not start a new family tradition with these unique books? You can find them at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Borders, or at www.bolchazy.com.