By Chris Van Allsburg

Barren

• Definition: producing few or no green plants or vegetation

• Sentence: We crossed a barren desert of ice.

rustle

• Definition: to move about to make noise• Sentence: I did not rustle the sheets.

lurch

• Definition: a sudden swaying, jerking, or tipping movement

• Sentence: The train gave a sudden lurch and started moving.

prance

• Definition: to dance around or step lively• Sentence: “They pranced and paced, ringing

the silver sleigh bells that hung from their harnesses.”

harness

• Definition: a set of straps by which an animal pulls a load

• Sentence: Then he gave me a hug and told me to cut a bell From the reindeer’s harness.

polar

• Definition: having to do with the North Pole and it’s cold environment.

• Sentence: Santa circled us once then disappeared in the cold, dark polar sky.

nougat

• Definition: a candy or fruit pieces in a sugar paste

• Sentence: We sang Christmas carols and ate candies with nougat centers as white as snow.