A Notes from the Windowsill annotated bibliography by Wendy E. Betts. Copyright 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
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Last Updated 12/14/08
The Jolly Christmas Postman written and illustrated by Janet and Allan
Ahlberg. Little, Brown, 1986; 1991 (0-316-12715-9) $17.95
Offering some peeks beyond "happily ever after," the enchanting "Jolly Postman"
books let readers enjoy the mail exchanged by various fairy tale characters, as
delivered by the Jolly Postman. This book is even more elaborate than the
first in the series, with fairy-tale residents receiving fancy christmas cards
and presents of a small jigsaw puzzle and a tiny book within a book (which, as
the text points out, is also within a book!) The sprightly illustrations are
filled with wonderful detail and just about everything is worth looking at
closely, including the stamps and postmarks on the envelopes. * (4 & up)
Jesus' Christmas Party written and illustrated by Nicholas Allan.
Doubleday, 1991; 1997 (0-385-32521-5) $7.95
Written with a surprising, delightful touch of irreverence, this book succeeds in being both an amusing story and a loving depiction of the Nativity. It's told from the point of view of a grumpy innkeeper who is having a very bad night: first he's disturbed by people wanting lodging, next a bright light wakes him up ("That's all I need," he grumbles), and finally a chorus of heavenly voices sends him out to the stable in a rage. But when he sees the baby that was born that night, he rushes to wake up everyone else in the inn, so that they can see the beautiful baby too. And what with all the singing and rejoicing, "no one got much sleep that night."
This book will be most enjoyed by readers who already know the basic story and
can appreciate the humorous perspective. Unsophisticated but very expressive
sketches add a lot to the fun, as in the picture of the three wise men, whose
crowns are knocked right off their heads by the force of the innkeeper's cry,
"AROUND THE BACK!" * (4-8)
Merry Christmas, Merry Crow by Kathi Appelt. Illustrated by
Jon Goodell. Harcourt, 2005 (0-15-202651-7) $16.00
A crow darts through busy, snowy streets, picking up trash: "Colored
glass/a bottle cap/Fancy gold and silver wrap." Nothing is too
useless for the busy crow: "Candy wrappers/Red and brown/A treasure
lost, a treasure found." But why? To decorate a glorious Christmas
tree, for birds and humans to enjoy. "A magic sight/All hearts
aglow/Merry Christmas, merry crow."
Soft blues and white dominate the semi-realistic paintings, giving a
lovely effect of perpetual twilight, while the verse conveys a
feeling of busy mystery that adds to the delighted surprise of the end.
(3-7)
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry. 1963; Doubleday, 2000
(0-385-32721-8) $15.95
One huge tree provides Christmas trees for a dozen human and animal families in
this cheerful rhyming story, now reprinted with all full-color illustrations.
I've Seen Santa! by David Bedford. Illustrated by Tim Warnes.
Tiger Tales, 2006 (9781589254114) $15.95; 2008 (9781589254114) $6.95
pb
I really got a chuckle out of this story, though I have no idea whether or not little kids will grasp the subtext. Little Bear is very curious about Santa and decides to try and see him--but what he thinks is Santa turns out to be Big Bear drinking Santa's milk! ("I only wanted a sip," says Big Bear.) Next he catches Big Bear eating Santa's blueberry pies ("I was hungry,") and then spies Mommy Bear putting presents in their stockings. ("I was giving you both a present from me," she explains.) Finally the whole bear family lies down in the living room planning to all see Santa together. Since they all fall asleep, they never do get to see Santa--but Santa sees them!
Illustrated in relaxing browns and greens, with friendly, cozy looking
bears, this is the sort of warm, family-oriented story that appeals to
younger children--but it might also be enjoyed by older kids who are
starting to have a few doubts about the reality of Santa, and will
appreciate the surprise of the twist at the end. (3 & up)
Footprints in the Snow by Cynthia Benjamin. Illustrated by
Jaqueline Rogers. 1994; Cartwheel, 2003 (0-590-46663-1) $3.99 pb
As winter snow falls and winter wind blows, all kinds of animals hop, run, stomp or swim to their cozy homes, in snow-covered woodland scenes that are naturalistically dreamy. This very easy beginners book also makes a pleasant, short read-aloud. (3-7)
Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck. Illustrated by Felicia Bond. 1994; HarperFestival, 1998 (0-694-01227-0) $6.95
This unpretentious little book offers a gentle introduction to the nativity
story. Simple rhymes give voice to the players of the story, from the star
that shines in the east and lights the stable for man and beast, to the baby
asleep in the hay, who is the reason for Christmas day. The accompanying
illustrations are just as straightforward, almost like coloring book pictures
perfectly colored—yet still, a sense of mystery and joy shines through.
(3-6)
Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present written and illustrated by John Burningham. Candlewick, 1993 (1-56402-246-3) $15.95
After a long evening delivering presents, Santa Claus is dismayed to discover one present still in his sack, a present for a boy named Harvey Slumfenburger, who lives far away at the top of the Roly Poly Mountain. With his reindeer asleep (and one of them not feeling well) Santa starts off on foot, knowing that Harvey will get no present unless he delivers it. First hitching a ride with a plane, then with a jeep, then with a boy on a motorbike, then with a girl on skis, and finally with a rock climber, Santa pushes on until he at last puts the present in Harvey's stocking, getting home just as the sun begins to rise on Christmas morning.
The inspired premise of this exciting, yet comforting Christmas story
overcomes the rather stilted writing. The illustrations of the weary
but steadfast Santa are sweet and amusing, especially a quick montage
of his trip home, via such conveyances as hot air balloon, donkey,
roller-skates and freight-train. (3-8)
Mouse Christmas written and illustrated by Michelle Cartlidge. Dutton,
1996 (0-525-45684-8) $4.99
This companion to Mouse Birthday is another little book about a mouse
family, illustrated with delicate but cozy watercolors. As with most of
Cartlidge's books, the charm is in the tiny details, like the miniature angel
mice which decorate each page. Each page also features something to do or
open, like an envelope which holds a tiny Christmas card, or a stocking stuffed
with a removable paper teddy bear. The commonplace text hardly makes this a
rival for the "Jolly Postman" books, but readers with a love for miniatures
(and a fair amount of dexterity) will find it captivating. (3 & up)
Biscuit's Hanukkah by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. Illustrated by
Pat Schories. HarperFestival, 2005 (0-06-009469-9) $4.99 board
Biscuit the puppy learns a little bit about celebrating Hanukkah as he
helps his little girl make a Menorah for her friends. Then they visit
their friends and enjoy watching the candles burn. This is a slight
but pleasant story that could be a good gateway for talking about
sharing different holiday celebrations. The brightly colored pictures
of Biscuit getting into paint and ribbons are amusing, and the final
illustration of the children and their dogs gazing at the burning
candles genuinely captures some holiday spirit. (2-5)
Where is Christmas, Jesse Bear? by Nancy White Carlstrom.
Illustrated by Bruce Degen. Simon & Schuster, 2000 (0-689-81962-5)
$15.00; 2003 (0-689-86233-4) $6.99 pb
None of the Jesse Bear series quite lives up to the effortless lyric joy
found in Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?, but this one comes pretty
close. Again using a question-answer format, the text asks, "Where
is Christmas, Jesse Bear?" and reponds by describing how Jesse Bear
sees, touches, smells, hears, knows and feels Christmas around him.
The illustrations are full of cute touches suitable for an all-Bear
world (like bear angels on Jesse's candle chimes), and the overall mood
is one of celebration and peaceful warmth. (2-6)
This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten. Illustrated by Delana
Bettoli. Henry Holt, 2006 (0-8050-7556-9) $16.95
"These are the angels, a glorious throng, who sang to the shepherds a wonderful song: 'Be not afraid--go to Bethlehem town, to the quiet stable, dusty and brown.' These are the wise men, travelers three, who knew of an ancient prophecy. They followed the star whose light shone down on the quiet stable, dusty and brown"A mellow, lyrical rhyming text that captures the ear with gentle repetitions makes this an excellent nativity for a young child. The story begins and ends with the quiet stable, where the baby boy, "who cooed and cried and looked around with eyes so wide" is tended by cooing doves, the three wise men (meticulously drawn as African, Asian and Middle-Eastern,) and his adoring parents. Watercolor and acrylic paintings use warm and bright colors to bring vivid beauty to simple scenes of shepherds watching their sheep and the mother tenderly holding her child. A lovely book. (2-5)
Don't Need Friends by Carolyn Crimi. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger.
Doubleday, 1999 (0-385-32643-2) $15.95
This isn't precisely a Christmas story, but it has a melancholy, sentimental quality—and a redemptive ending—that make it seem very appropriate for the holidays. Rat lives in a junkyard with his best friend Possum, until one day Possum has to move; the sad and lonely rat decides he's better off alone. "Don't need friends, don't need 'em at all," he grumbles, rejecting any animal that tries to be neighborly. When an equally grouchy dog moves into the junkyard, he and Rat quickly establish their mutual dislike, regularly reminding each other, "don't even think of coming over here!" But when the bitter winter sets in, Rat can't help but notice that Dog is too sick to look for food. And when he finds "the greatest treasure he could have imagined"—a foot-long salami sandwich—he realizes that it's really big enough for two. "Don't need friends, don't need 'em at all," grumbles Rat, but you don't have to be friends to share a sandwich...
Crimi's tart dialogue and Munsinger's expressive watercolors vividly establish
the forlorn setting and characters of this story; so vividly in fact, that
readers may be really troubled by it, despite the many comical scenes and happy
ending. It could be a good opening to talk to children about others who have
to make their homes where they can find them. (4-8)
An Early American Christmas written and illustrated by Tomie de Paola.
Holiday House, 1987 (0-8234-0617-2) $14.95
This historical story describes how Christmas was celebrated by a family of
German settlers in Pennsylvania, with some unfamiliar customs as well as some
that survive today. De Paola attractively illustrates the holiday activities:
making candles, baking cookies, putting up a manger scene. Adults may be a
little perturbed by the ending of the book, in which all the other families in
the town, who previously had not celebrated Christmas, gradually begin doing
so; I would feel obligated to point out to a child audience that there's
nothing wrong with not celebrating Christmas. (4-8)
Alligator Arrived with Apples: a Potluck Alphabet Feast by
Crescent Dragonwagon. illustrated by Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey.
1987; Aladdin, 1992 (978-0-6897-1613-3) $6.99 pb
"A feast for you/a feast for me/A feast that goes from A to Z!" To celebrate Thanksgiving, Pig and Pig II have set the table for an entire alphabet of animal guests, all of whom bring goodies for the vegetarian feast. (Turkey is a guest, rather than the main course.)
Starting with some rather labored verse--"A feast for us/and several guests/A feasting full Thanksgiving fest!"--this book thankfully moves quickly to an alliterative alphabet section, from Alligator Arriving with Apples and Allspice, to Zebra Zipping over with a Zaftig Zucchini. Each animal comes in a different vehicle: Cat looks especially cool swooping in on a hang glider, while Orangutan's broken leg has him in a wheelchair. And after each arrival, Pig and Pig II and the other guests have fun cavorting with the newcomers, sliding down Elephant's trunk and enjoying the juggling of a Jackal from Jerusalem.
There are some textual oddities here that will annoy readers who like
strong consistency. A few of the animal aren't named, so you have to
check the name cards on the set table at the beginning of the book to
identify "Numbat" and "Quetzal." There's no animal (or food) for "X,"
which isn't too surprising, but also none for "R," which is
inexplicable. The very bright and animated illustrations make up for
a lot, however, filled with lively scenes to explore. Aruego and
Dewey use their usual brightly glowing watercolors, but put the
complicated action scenes against simple backdrops, giving a light,
airy look that suits the snappy text. (2-6)
Grandma's Latkes by Malka Drucker. Illustrated by Eve Chwast. Harcourt Brace, 1992 (0-15-200468-8) $13.95; Voyager, 1996 (0-15-201388-1) $6.00 pb
The traditional story of the history of Hanukkah gets new life in this simple,
enjoyable retelling. As Molly helps her grandmother make the Hanukkah latkes,
Grandma explains how the holiday came to be, telling her granddaughter that the
burning of the oils was a miracle, "just like the Maccabees beating Antiochus,
and just like you, Molly. You're my miracle." The warm atmosphere and
conversational style of the narrative help keep the story interesting, while
the striking painted woodcuts manage to work equally well in illustrating the
ancient and modern sections of the text. (4-8)
This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar. Illustrated by Gary Blythe. Harcourt
Brace, 1996 (0-15-200851-9) $16.00; Voyager, 1998 (0-15-201910-3) $6.00 pb
"The House that Jack Built" seems like an odd choice as the basis for a
Nativity retelling, but this lyrical text manages to make the familiar format
sound wondrous and magical. As the text tells the story of "the manger warm
with hay/wherein a newborn baby lay," lush, realistic paintings show the the
baby and wise men, the shepherds, and a magnificent vision of the angel,
"shining bright." A miniature inset at the end of each page of text strikingly
recalls the previous illustration. (4 & up)
The Three Bears' Christmas by Kathy Duval. Illustrated by Paul
Meisel. Holiday House, 2005 (0-8234-1871-5) $16.95
Children familiar with the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears
will enjoy this retelling, in which the bears find someone has eaten
their gingerbread, sat in their chairs... and left presents under
their Christmas tree. The text and pictures are sprinkled with little
hints of what the bears can expect to find when they come home from
their evening walk, inviting reader participation. (3-6)
The First Day of Winter written and illustrated by Denise
Fleming. Henry Holt, 2005 (0-8050-7384-1) $15.95
Set, sort of, to the rhythm of "the twelve Days of Christmas," this
story describes ten days of winter from the unusual vantage point of a
snowman who is being adorned. On the first day, his "best friend"
gives him "a red cap with a gold snap." As the snowman gets more and
more decorated, birds and animals are attracted by its bright colors
and bounty: five birdseed pockets! By the tenth day, the snowman is
indeed a thing of wonder... and with ten salty peanuts for its toes,
it can even walk away and find a new friend! (I must confess, I find
this ending a touch creepy.) Fleming's collage illustrations glow with color
and gently implied texture, but the awkward goofiness of the snowman
and his boy friend contrast somewhat oddly with the quieter,
naturalistic look of the winter animals. (3-8)
Wombat Divine by Mem Fox. Illustrated by Kerry Argent. Harcourt Brace,
1996 (0-15-201416-0) $15.00
An appealing mixture of sweetness and humor, this is the story of a
wombat—shown here as a round, lumbering, bear-like creature—who
longs to act in a Nativity play. Unfortunately, Wombat seems to be too big or
heavy or clumsy for every role he tries. Just when it seems that his dream is
crushed, his friend Bilby thinks of the perfect role for him: the most
important role of all. Drawn with minimal "humanizing" elements, Argent's
friendly-looking animals have expressive faces and soft, cuddly bodies, a
likeable introduction to many Australian animals that are probably unfamiliar
to American children. The Nativity scenes of the animals gazing soulfully at
Wombat, who is peacefully sleeping in the hay, "just as a real baby would," are
especially charming. (4-8)
Santa Claus the World's Number One Toy Expert written and
illustrated by Marla Frazee. Harcourt, 2005 (0-13-204970-3) $16.00
Frazee's distinctive style, which manages to seem simultaneously
light and uncluttered yet brimming with action, works wonderfully in
this story about how Santa works furiously to find just the right toys
for each child. Scenes of Santa busily trying out each toy, moving
boxes around in his warehouse. and selecting wrapping paper from the
world's most humongous wrap dispensers are filled with humor and
charm, as are the scenes of children trying out their wonderful new
toys, which are just right... almost all the time. At the
end, with his work all finished, Santa goes home to unwrap the special
gift he picked out for himself, which is "almost always just exactly
what he wanted." A very appealing book for Santa fans. (3-7)
Waiting for Christmas by Monica Greenfield. Illustrated by Jan
Spivey
Gilchrist. Scholastic, 1996 (0-590-52700-2) $15.95
A simple poem about the anticipation of waiting for Christmas provides
inspiration for warm, gently glowing paintings of a loving family
celebration.
Each line of the poem is accompanied by a a large, two-page
illustration that
depicts an ideal (secular) Christmas, with shimmering snow falling
past every
window. This lovely book is practically a blueprint for creating
happy images
of Christmas for a young child. (3-6)
The First Night by B. G. Hennessy. Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou
Fancher. Viking, 1993 (0-670-83026-7); Puffin, 1996 (0-14-054178-0) $4.99 pb
An elegantly simple introduction to the Nativity, this lovely book sets aside
most of the details of the story to paint an evocative portrait of a newborn
baby, "seeing this world for the first time." Told in short, concrete
sentences, the text nonetheless conveys the beauty, warmth and wonder of the
story of Jesus's birth. The luminous illustrations, acrylics painted on wood,
are filled with tenderness; weathered edges emphasize an atmosphere of long ago
and far away. (2-6)
Winter Lights written and illustrated by Anna Grossnickle
Hines. Greenwillow, 2005 (978-0-06-00817-8) $16.99
Glowing, twinkling, flaming... the "lights" in this gorgeous book
almost seem alive. Brilliantly crafted quilts use shapes and
sharp contrasts to turn plain cloth into stars, fire and moonlight.
The illustrations are paired with short, evocative poems about all
aspects of Winter: the excitement of festive celebrations, the frustration
of too-short days, the quiet beauty of shadows on snow.
Teachers will like Winter Lights for its inclusion of many diverse
Winter holidays and customs, and for its use of several different poetic
forms; almost everyone will love its beauty and marvel at its
craftsmanship. * (3 & up)
Light the Candles by Joan Holub, Illustrated by Lynne Cravath. Puffin, 2000 (0-14-056757-7) $6.99 pb
This "lift-the-flap" book has a flap for each night of Hanukkah,
showing
children opening the door to relatives with presents, getting a gimmel
while playing with a dreidel, and messily enjoying the chocolate
inside
their golden coins. Young children will likely enjoy the simple,
rather dull rhymes more than the adults reading to them, but there
are some nice depictions of family life. A particularly fun visual
touch is the many different menorahs the family lights, from a child's
menorah or friendly cats to a stylish row of Maccabees. (2-4)
Chita's Christmas tree by Elizabeth Firtgerald Howard.
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Bradbury, 1989 (0-02-744621-2)
Based on the childhood of the author's cousin, this book offers a
glimpse of African-American history: the real "Chita" was the daughter
of one of Baltimore's first black doctors. But race isn't an issue
in this story, an affectionate look at an Edwardian family's Christmas
celebration, which includes baking cookies with Mama, eating creamed
oysters and Smithfield ham with the whole family on Christmas Eve,
and most importantly, picking out a tree for Santa to bring on
Christmas morning. Chita worries that Santa won't bring the right
one, although papa assures her that he will find it, because papa
carved her name on it. And sure enough, on Christmas morning there is
the tree, "its top touching the ceiling, twinkling, sparkling," and
CHITA is carved into the trunk. Cooper's muted illustrations have a bit
of a one-dimensional look to them, almost like cut-out photographs.
For a special treat, see the charming photo of the original Chita on the
back of the hardcover. (5-8)
In Wintertime written and illustrated by Kim Howard. Lothrop,
1994 (0-688-11379-6)
A little girl's grandmother tells a story of winter long ago, when
she was a little girl in Scandinavia. Appealing details and
serenely colorful illustrations help bring a different world to life.
A glossary at the beginning is helpful for understanding the foreign
words and phrases used. (4-8)
Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat by Naomi Howland. Clarion, 1999
(0-395-89903-6)
Sadie and her four brothers live outside a tiny village in Russia, in a house so draft, "the wind whistled through it like a train going to Moscow." It looks like Chanukah will be cold and hungry this year, especially when Sadie gives all the wood she had gathered to an old woman. But her generousity is rewarded with a magical gift, a frying pan that fries latkes out of nothing! Each night of Chanukah, the family has more delicious, sizzling hot potato pancakes--until Sadie goes out on the eight night, warning her brothers not to touch the pan, which only she is supposed to use. But can you really trust four hungry children alone with a magic frying pan...?
It's unfortunately unclear whether this is a retelling or an original
story (it certainly has many traditional elements,) but it's a lively
and amusing tale, with an appeal beyond its Chanukah associations.
The Old Russia setting if illustrated with graceful simplicity in
gouache and colored pencil. (4-8)
Twelve Days of Christmas written and illustrated by Woodleigh
Marx Hubbard. Chronicle, 1996 (0-8118-1264-2) $14.95
Stylized yet exuberant illustrations give a whimsical, punning flavor
to this
familiar Christmas carol, with 5 cowbells chiming out "Gold Rings," 6
geese "a
Laying" in bed, and 11 "Lady" bugs be-bopping on a vine. At the
bottom of each
page, a rebus-type drawing reminds readers of the verses that went
before,
should they want to actually sing as they read. Hubbard's jazzy,
antic
pictures call to mind "adult" art far more than traditional picture
book art,
but the vivid colors, bold, simple shapes and animal characters cross
over
quite successfully, for a look that's eye-catching and funny. In an
unusually
effective marketing gimmick, the book comes with twelve press-out
cardboard
ornaments, depicting one character from each verse of the song. (3
& up)
In the Month of Kislev by Nina Jaffe. Illustrated by Louise August.
Viking, 1992; Puffin, 1995 (0-14-055654-0) $4.99 pb
Illustrated with striking, colorful woodcut-style pictures, this is an
engrossing retelling of a favorite traditional story, in which a stingy man
sues a poor man because his children were "stealing the smell of his latkes."
When the stingy man insists that the poor man pay him a fine, the wise Rabbi
asks the townspeople to contribute their Hanukkah money, shakes it in a bag,
and tells him, "We have paid for the smell of your Hanukkah latkes with the
sound of Hanukkah gelt." Unfortunately the otherwise appealing book
ends with an overdone "true meaning of Hanukkah" reformation that simply isn't
convincing and may leave readers quite puzzled. (3-8)
The Gifts of Kwanzaa written and illustrated by Synthia Saint
James. Albert Whitman, 1994 (0-8075-2907-9); 1997 (0-8075-2908-7)
$6.95 pb
James' signature faceless paintings atractively illustrate this
simple depiction of a Kwanzaa celebration, with bold, vivid blocks
of color creating animated scenes. (3-6)
Marco Flamingo/Marco Flamenco written and illustrated by Sheila Jarkins. Raven Tree, 2008 (978-0-9794462-5-2) $16.95; $7.95 pb
Every year, Marco Flamingo's island paradise is visited by the migratory "snowbirds." Marco is curious and asks them "what's snow?" --but all they'll say is "You don't want to know!" But Marco does want to know, and after spending the night reading up (assisted by some helpful stars and fireflies), he sets off north and discovers a new kind of paradise, one with skating, snow angels, ice fishing and sledding. And he even convinces some of his island friends to come join in.
With its awkward looking, yet ultimately competent and successful hero and a loving depiction of winter, this is a pleasing story that's worth picking up for a unit on winter or for a bilingual read that's pretty much just for fun. The illustrations give attractive natural backdrops for the more goofy looking animal characters, making Marco's first look at a land of snow and ice lovely and satisfying. (4-8)
Also available in English only and Spanish only editions.
Christmas Lullaby by Nancy Jewell. Clarion, 1994 (0-395-66586-8)
$14.95; 1999 (0-395-97461-5) $5.95 pb
A simple rhyming poem creates a lovely nativity scene, in which different
animals bring gifts to the newborn baby, each giving something personal and
precious: "The donkey brought hay for the Baby's bed, the lamb brought fleece
to pillow His head." After all the other animals have brought gifts, the cat
gives her special present by purring the newborn to sleep. The illustrations,
oil painted on wood, combine the plain lines and bold shapes of folk art with
brilliant, jewel-like colors; the underlying wood grain patterns give
particularly effective backgrounds to each scene. A special and unusually
accessible nativity book. * (2-8)
We Love Christmas written and illustrated by Marilyn Janovitz. NorthSouth, 2007 (978-7358-2089-0) $9.95
Two kitten-kids enjoy the pleasures of waiting for Christmas in this
happy little story. "We like ice. We like snow. We like making tracks
wherever we go." "We like cookies. We like cake. We like eating what
we bake." At the end of the book, they get into their Christmassy
green-and-red pajamas, saying, "We like green. We like red. We like
snuggling into bed. We like knowing Santa's near. Oh, we LOVE
Christmas--and it's finally here!" Pen & ink and watercolor
illustrations show active but uncrowded scenes that are easy on the
eyes--that is, until the kittens go crazy getting into the Christmas
ribbon! Toddlers will appreciate the repetition in the bouncy rhyming
text, and it's short enough not to get boring for adults. In fact,
this book makes me wish I still had a toddler to read to. (1-4)
Snow Sounds written and illustrated by David A. Johnson.
Houghton Mifflin, 2006 (978-0618-47310-6) $16.00
Snow Sounds is a livelier story than its dreamy cover, in peaceful
shades of blue speckled with snowy white, would suggest. Told entirely in
sounds and pictures, it describes a boy's snowy winter morning, which
begins with the "swoosh slush smoosh" of a snowplow outside, the only
sound and motion around a house completely blanketed with snow. The day
gets noiser as the boy gets ready for school ("flush") and more trucks
work to clear a path outside for the school bus ("honk honk.") The boy
himself has to "scoop scrape" his way from the door to the street.
A watercolor speckled effect gives all of the pen & ink outlined
pictures an attractive, muted, wintry feel, even in the busiest scenes.
(3-8)
The Magic Maguey by Tony Johnston. Illustrated by Elisa Kleven.
Harcourt Brace, 1996 (0-15-250988-7) $15.00
Set in a pueblo in Mexico, this is a happy look at the magic in everyday things. Miguel loves the big, beautiful maguey plant that grows in the pueblo. People like to meet there to gossip and chat, children like to play there. Best of all, the old leaves from the maguey can be made into all sorts of things, just like magic. When Miguel hears that the maguey is going to be chopped down, it seems like his Christmas is ruined—until he gets a wonderful idea.
As in her book Hooray, a Pinata! , Kleven's jewel-toned collages seem
perfect for expressing the bold gaiety of Mexican art; the patterned clothes
and Christmas decorations glow with bright colors. She also does a wonderful
job on the faces of the characters: women cozily chatting, the children
solemnly decorating the maguey plant with Christmas ornaments, and the entire
town serenely enjoying their unusual Christmas tree. (4-8)
My First Ramadan written and illustrated by Karen Katz. Henry
Holt, 2007 (978-0-8050-7894-7) $14.95
A litle boy describes the customs of the Muslim holy month Ramadan during the first year that he is old enough to fast. The text is simple: "Daddy leads us in a morning prayer call fajr (FAH-jar.) We pray five times every day. Muslims follow a religion called Islam. That means 'peace' in Arabic." The boy describes going to school and making calendars for Ramadan, washing hands and eating a sweet date before breaking the day-long fast, and the celebration at the end of Ramadan called Eid al-Fitr. (I must confess that I am not at all familiar with Ramadan, but I did a little reading and the facts appear to be accurate; I felt I got a sense of the basic form of the holiday from the book.) Katz doesn't get into any complicated issues: for example, the boy reports that his mother and sister pray in a different room than him and his father, without comment.
Drawn with broad shapes and peopled with round-headed characters
wearing bright smiles, the book is decidedly cute, but also
manages to maintain a sincere, respectful tone. The colorful scenes
are drawn with lots of different textures and patterns, for visual interest.
Readers unfamiliar with Ramadan will find the pronounciation guides
included within the text a big help. I was also interested by a
glimpse of
the diversity of the Muslim world, when the family gathers in the
town square and sees "Mulsims from Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia,
North America, and South America," illustrated with people of different
skin tones wearing many different types of clothing. The gathering of
extended family for the party at the end of the book also includes a
diverse population. (2-6)
The Snowy Day written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats. Viking, 1962; 1996 (0-670-86733-0) $6.99 board book
Winner of the Caldecott medal, this classic is a simple story about a
boy discovering the joys of a snow-covered city: making tracks,
snowmen and angels and sliding down a "great big tall
heaping mountain of snow." The boy is very sad when the
snowball he put in his pocket for tomorrow disappears--but luckily,
the next day brings new snow, for him to share with his friend.
Keats' illustrations are a gentle but vivid mix of broad
shapes and interesting textures: the boy's brown face and
bright red snowsuit against the snow has become a familiar and
unforgettable image for everyone who loves children's
books. (3-6)
That's Not Santa! written and illustrated by Leonard Kessler.
Scholastic, 1994 (0-590-48140-1) $2.95 pb
It's the day before Christmas and everything is ready for Santa's
trip—except Santa, who can't find his red suit anywhere! He tries on
different outfits—a cowboy suit, a pirate costume, even a clown—but
each time his elves cry, "You can't go out like that. That's not Santa!"
Finally Mrs. Claus saves the day, giving Santa a new red suit—and putting
on one for herself. Designed for the very beginning reader, this is a simple
and repetitious story with colorful, uncrowded illustrations. (4-6)
My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel. Illustrated by
H.B. Lewis. Candlewick, 2004 (0-7636-1699-0) $16.99
After a number of misunderstandings with Santa, Joe decides to be very
specific in his Christmas letter. And this time, he gets
exactly what he asked for: his very own pet penguin named
Osbert! But Joe soon finds that life with Osbert isn't just fun and
games--it's also freezing baths and cold creamed herring with seaweed
jam for breakfast. "I had asked for Osbert and now I had him," Joe
reminds himself wryly (a thought that I, as a parent, could certainly
relate to.) Expressive pastel illustrations help bring out the humor
in this comic story, and a touch of poignancy at the end. (4-8)
Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights by Leslie Kimmelman. Illustrated by
John Himmelman. HarperFestival, 1992 (0-6940-1437-0) $6.95 board book
This simple introduction to Hanukkah shows one aspect of the holiday
being celebrated on each of the eight nights: on the third night, the
aunts chant the blessings, on the fourth night, the nieces spin their
dreidels. The theme is tied together by a menorah at the corner of
each two-page illustration, showing the proper number of candles for
each night. At first glance this book isn't very exciting
visually--straight inked lines give the watercolored characters a prim
and dowdy air--but there are some lively little details worth looking
at, especially the activities of the familiy's boisterous orange
kittens. (2-5)
A Confused Hanukkah by Jon Koons. Illustrated by S.D.
Schindler. Dutton, 2004 (0-525-46969-9)$16.99
I'm thrilled to be seeing some children's literature backlash against the Christmasfication of Hanukkah in books like The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming. This "original folktale" makes similar points, with gentler irony and perhaps more accessibility to younger readers.
Set in the traditional Jewish town-of-fools, Chelm, the story begins with the villagers unable to remember how to celebrate Hanukkah while their Rabbi is away. A man named Yossel sets out for a nearby town "to find out what must be done," but naturally, being from Chelm, he goes the wrong way and winds up in the Big City, where he gets some very odd information about "the coming holiday." His fellow villagers are a bit surprised--"Trees? Fat men? I don't remember any of that!"--but conclude these must be the latest modern customs, so they proceed to chop down a tree, decorate it with matzo balls, wooden dreidels and shiny menorahs, and dress the fattest man in town in a fancy suit, calling him "Hanukkah Hershel."
Yet somehow, nothing seems right. "They had never seen Hanukkah Hershel before. And surely, if they had decorated a tree like this in the past, someone would have remembered. But Yossel had told them that other people did these things. And why shouldn't they celebrate the way others did? Still, now it seemed like this wasn't Hanukkah at all."
Luckily, just then the Rabbi arrives home, to tell them the story of Hanukkah and remind them of their true traditions. And "From that day forward it was said that the people of Chelm always remembered how to keep Hanukkah."
Koons doesn't hit us in the face with his point, leaving the silliness of the story to speak for itself about the ridiculousness of mixing up two things that have very little relationship to each other. I would like to have seen a note on the history of Chelm in Jewish folklore and humor, and it would also have strengthened the the book to say more about the significance of the Hanukkah customs--eating foods fried in oil in memory of the oil lamp, for example.
This should go over well at storytimes, especially with a reader who's
good with dialogue, which is lively and plentiful. Pen & ink and
watercolor illustrations in a slightly caricatured style highlight
both the foolishness and the generally goodhearted nature of the
people of Chelm, adding to the humor and warmth of the story. (4 &
up)
Omar on Ice written and illustrated by Maryann Kovalski. Fitzhenry
& Whiteside, 1999 1-55041-507-7) $13.95
Omar, a bear who loves pictures, is miserable when his teacher thinks that his
drawing of his mother is a rock. "I'm just a bad artist," he says, throwing
his drawing away. But when the class goes out for a skate, athletic Omar comes
into his own, twirling and leaping—and discovers there's more than one
way to create a beautiful picture. This book gives a fun surprise twist to a
familiar story and illustrates it with some joyous scenes of Omar dancing on
the ice. The rest of the light-hued illustrations are more of a mixed-bag:
there are some funny bear-as-human touches, but the befrilled and beribboned
female characters—apparently only male bears can go bare—look
obtrusive and clunky next to the liveliness and grace of Omar skating. (3-7)
Little One, We Knew You'd Come by Sally Lloyd-Jones.
Illustrated by Jackie Morris. Little, Brown, 2006 (978-0-316-52391-2)
$16.99
Two distinct styles in children's books meet in this unusual nativity
book, a pairing I didn't find completely successful. The text, sometimes
rhyming, sometimes just consciously poetic, belongs to the distinctly
modern school of an adoring parental ode: "By silver stars and golden moon,
at break of dawn you came. Kiss your nose, those tiny toes. On the day
that you were born." Nothing specifically links it with Jesus' birth;
it could be any parents rejoicing in any child. At first glance the
illustrations could not seem to be more different: dark, dramatic
paintings, embellished with motifs from nature and highlights of
shimmering gold, that belong to a much older tradition. Closer
inspection shows the artist has eschewed some traditions: the babe
sleeping in his mother's arms is realistically drawn and could be
any beautiful sleeping baby, if it weren't for the watchful animals
worshiping nearby. The olive-skinned, dark-haired Mary is exquisite,
with precisely the worn grace of a new mother; all of the figures
shown, including a trio of angels playing ancient instruments,
convey strength as well as tenderness. They seem to deserve something
deeper than the familiar and somewhat confused text, "Kiss and cuddle
and love the baby. Scoop that baby up, And softly sing a lullaby, On the
day that you were born." (3 & up)
I Spy Christmas by Jean Marzollo. Photographed by Walter Wick.
Scholastic, 1992 (0-590-45846-9) $13.95
This book from the "I Spy" series uses the same format as the others:
beautifully crafted and photographed scenes of interesting and unusual
objects are accompanied by a simple verse suggesting objects for readers
to search for. This time the theme of each picture is Christmas inspired
and readers who are fond of the holiday will find them particularly
nostalgic, evocative and charming. One scene of a small town at night
is especially lovely, and readers may be surprised to find that the
peaceful town is hiding five jacks, a glove and a silver coin.
Another eye-catching scene crowds numerous German glass ornaments on the
page. Very entertaining. (4-8)
Santa's Book of Names written and illustrated by David McPhail. Little,
Brown, 1993 (0-316-56335-8) $14.95; 1997 (0-316-11534-7) $5.95 pb
A little boy gets a trip in Santa's sleigh and a special wish granted in this
warm and pleasant story. When Edward finds the book Santa dropped one
Christmas Eve—the book that holds the names and addresses of all the
children in the world—Santa asks him to come along and help out by
holding the book. But when Santa's glasses fall off, Edward, who has never
been able to read, has to try to read the book for him. By morning, Edward can
proudly read the new book Santa left him. Sympathetic characters and cozy,
beautifully designed illustrations make this an enjoyable family story. (4-8)
Santa Duck written and illustrated by David Milgrim. Putnam,
2008 (978-0-399-25018-7) $16.99
Need a break from serious or sentimental Christmas stories? Here's one about the true meaning of Christmas--getting stuff! When Nicholas Duck finds a cozy coat and Santa hat on his doorstep, he discovers that every animal he meets greets him as "Santa Duck" and starts giving him a Christmas list: a chicken wants all kinds of flying machines, a rabbit wants a carrot cake--the size of a football field--and a cat yearns for "a mouse and a canary and a trout and maybe a couple of nice, plump hamsters. Better bring some egg nog too." Nicholas tries to get rid of the hat, to no avail, finally running away squealing "leave me alooooone!"--and he runs straight into the real Santa. ("No way!" says Nicholas. "Way" says Santa.)
Nicholas gives Santa everyone else's list, forgetting to give his own. But when he gets home, the note on his door from Santa about what a great help he was makes him so proud, he realizes that "getting to help Santa was the best gift he could get." That is, until he finds an awesome "Santa Duck" car waiting for him the next morning.
With its lively characters and slightly iconoclastic attitude,
Santa Duck is full of good kid-friendly humor. In a touch
parents will appreciate, some of the characters are shown at the end
with gifts that aren't
quite as ambitious as those on the lists: the rabbit is perfectly
happy with an ordinary sized cake. And for those worried about the
cat's list, it is shown walking a small animal on a leash, rather than
noshing on it. (4-8)
Thank You, Thanksgiving written and illustrated by David
Milgrim. Clarion, 2003 (0-618-27466-9) $9.95; 2006
(978-0-618-75243-0) $5.95 pb
Gratitude is expressed with simplicity and charm, as a little
girl goes on a Thanksgiving day errand, thanking the
birds who sing music to her, the warm boots that keep her cozy in the
snow, and the duck that brings her the scarf she left behind. There
are
funny bits here, like the girl's Hollywood entrance back home: "Thank
you,
thank you," she gracefully bows, as her family applauds. But the heart of the book is her
joyous appreciation of all the small gifts of the day. Chunky, digitally
created illustrations have a childlike quality that seems just right
for the child's-eye view. (2-5)
Christmas Tree! written and illustrated by Wendell and Florence
Minor. HarperCollins, 2005 (978-0-06-056034-8) $15.99
If you were a Christmas tree, what kind would you be? There's some
surprising possibilities in this wildly imaginative picture book, which
shows Christmas trees for all kinds of purposes: one formed of net is
ornamented with fish, for a happy ship's cat; another makes a brilliant
revolving light in a lighthouse. Although a few of the paintings seem a
little broad and overdone, most are captivating, such as one showing
a magnificent Statue of Liberty with a Christmas tree as a torch, and
a simply elegant "tree" formed by the space between flying white birds.
The short rhyme of the story is an undistracting accompaniment to the
pictures, although the end somewhat confusingly forsakes the original
premise, saying "the best tree of all is the one that is mine." Huh?
(2-6)
Irving and Muktuk: Two Bad Bears by Daniel Pinkwater. Illustrated by Jill Pinkwater. Houghton Mifflin, 2001 (0-618-09334-6) $15.00; 2003 (0-618-35404-2) $5.99 pb
By fair means or foul--usually foul--polar bears Irving and Muktuk are
determined to get their hands on the muffins of the annual Yellowtooth
Blueberry Muffin Festival, a New Year tradition. Luckily, Officer
Bunny is the law in Yellowtooth, and he sees through all their
schemes, even when they pose as adorable Girl Scouts taking orders for
cookies and accepting muffins as payment. Over-the-top purple prose adds
to the delightful goofiness of this story, and the sly expressions of
Irving and Muktuk are always good for a laugh. (4 & up)
Songs of Chanukah compiled by Jeanne Modesitt. Illustrated by Robin
Spowart. Little, Brown, 1992 (0-316-57739-1)
Very pretty (though unexpected), soft-focus pictures of rabbit-people
illustrate this attractive picture book/songbook, which includes both
traditional and contemporary Hanukkah songs. Each song is accompanied by text
which explains the historical background of Hanukkah and its traditions.
Scored for piano and guitar, with Hebrew lyrics included. (3 & up)
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore. Illustrated by Max Grover. Browndeer, 1999 (0-15-201713-5) $16.00
Grover's colorful acrylics give a modern but cozy setting to the famous
poem, along with some rare touches of humor, such as Santa arriving down the
chimney in a flurry of ashes. (4 & up)
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore. Illustrated by Anita
Lobel. Knopf, 1984; 2003 (0-375-82414-6) $8.95
This version of the much illustrated Christmas poem "A Visit from Saint
Nicholas" gives it a city setting, with lovely illustrations of 19th century
Manhattan at night. (4 & up)
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore. Illustrated by Ted
Rand. North-South, 1995 (1-55858-465-X) $16.95
Oversized pages allow for a lavishly illustrated version of this old favorite,
with eye-catching double-page spreads of Santa and his eight reindeer gliding
through the air. The very traditional portrait of red-nosed Santa is
complemented by the graceful charm of the reindeer and the cozy warmth of the
narrator's home. (4-8)
'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore.
Illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith. Houghton Mifflin, 1912; 2005
(0-618-61510-5) $5.95 pb
One of the oldest editions of Moore's classic poem, and arguably the best known, this book now appears charmingly old-fashioned, with its illustrated letters, and meticulously drawn small scenes shown against white backgrounds. (4-8)
Light the Lights written and illustrated by Margaret Moorman.
Scholastic, 1994 (0-590-47003-5) $12.95
One of very few pictures books about interfaith holiday celebrations,
Light the Lights is the story of a little
girl named Emma whose family happily celebrates both Hannukah and Christmas.
Hannukah is visiting relatives, playing dreidel and eating latkes, and watching
the glowing lights in the menorah, set by the living room window where "all the
neighbors up and down the street could catch a glimpse of it." Christmas is
singing "Joy to the World" with friends, cookies and hot chocolate, and the
beautiful glow of the Christmas tree lights, turned on by Santa Claus as he
left the presents. Although neither the text nor the bland, almost
textbook-style watercolor illustrations are particularly inspired, in these
warm family and neighborhood scenes Moorman has captured some of the essence of
what interfaith winter celebrations can mean—not so much the teachings of
specific religions as a celebration of comfort, friendship and most of all,
light in the darkness, the common thread of all solstice holidays. (3-7)
The Christmas Tree Ride by Mary Neville. Illustrated by Megan Lloyd. Holiday House, 1992 (0-8234-0956-2) $14.95
A contemporary story about a family trip to pick out a Christmas Tree. The
first-person narrative almost sings, capturing the high-spirits and excitement
the children feel, only faltering for a soppy ending. I didn't much care for
the realistic style of the illustrations, except for the very pretty landscapes
of trees and snow. (4-8)
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel. Illustrated> by Nancy Winslow Parker. Greenwillow, 1989 (0-688-08028-6)
This is the prize gem of Neitzel and Parker's "House that Jack Built"
collaborations, a hilarious look at the discomforts of being stuck in
winter clothes. Each true-to-life description of a new uncomfortable
item is freshly funny: "These are the socks, wrinkled a lot, that are
pulled over long underwear, bunchy and hot, that is stuffed in the
boots, too big for me, that cover the jeans, stiff in the knee..." In
a satisfying ending, the discomfort is undone, piece by piece, by an
understanding mom. The uncluttered colored-pencil illustrations are
repeated, rebus-style, in the text, encouraging listeners to join in
with each repetition. Ideal for reading aloud or for beginning
readers. (3-8)
Amelia Bedelia and the Christmas List by Herman Parish. Illustrated by
Lynn Sweat. HarperCollins, 2003 (0-06-051874-X) $6.99 pb.
This new Amelia Bedelia book (written by a relative of the original author) has
a change of format. Amelia Bedelia is Christmas shopping for Mrs. Rogers, and
making her standard brand of mistakes with her list—Mr. Rogers wants
headphones, but Amelia Bedelia isn't sure how many phones he can put on his
head. But on the end of each page is a flap to turn, which reveals a helpful
salesperson finding the correct item for her. It's less intricate and less
lively than the usual stories but perhaps a good approach to a potentially
anxiety-creating situation: little kids may not care if Amelia "draws the
drapes" incorrectly, but Christmas presents are something else again! (3-6)
'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving written and illustrated by
Dav Pilkey. Orchard, 1990 (0-531-05905-7); Scholastic, 2004
(0-439-66937-5) $5.99 pb
Thanksgiving, with its intense focus on "traditional" food, is one of the
more complicated holidays for vegetarian and vegan families, but this story
can add a bit of fun to a turkey-free dinner. Using the familiar strains
of Clement Moore's "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," Pilkey spins a comic yet
tenderhearted tale of eight children on a field trip to a turkey farm, who
are horrified to discover that their new feathered friends are fated to be
eaten. But the children are the ones who wind up stuffed, as each sneaks
away a turkey inside his coat. That Thanksgiving, the turkeys are
guests and "They feasted on veggies/With jelly and toast, And
everyone was thankful/(The turkeys the most!)." Exuberant illustrations bring
the outlandish story to life. (4-8)
Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Dial, 1993 (0-8037-1292-8)
Scratchboard drawings of a contemporary African-American family
celebrating Kwanzaa are a comfortable accompaniment to this
description of the basic customs and meanings of the holiday. The
book does a nice job of relating Kwanzaa to its roots in tradition.
In one particularly eye-catching picture, the family is shown
exchanging
gifts; the following picture shows a traditional African family in the
same poses, exchanging gifts in celebration of the end of the
harvest. (4-8)
Old Winter by Judith Benet Richardson. illustrated by R. W. Alley.
Orchard, 1996 (0-531-09533-9) $14.95
Rummaging through the ice cream freezer at the supermarket, Old Winter
overhears some nasty comments about "this rotten winter." Hurt and angry, he
stomps into the meat locker for a two month nap, while the town stays frozen,
with no end in sight. But when an understanding young woman named Spring comes
to town, Winter realizes how important his job is—in its proper time.
This lively, imaginative personification of the seasons celebrates both their
most attractive and most annoying aspects, with an emotional core that will
resonate with young readers. The crowded, cartoony pictures (think "Mad"
magazine) are filled with comic detail; I especially like the depiction of the
first rain, with Spring sitting on a shop awning with a watering can, and the
last illustration of Old Winter, blowing a bag full of snowflakes "onto the
feathery grass of the pampas." (4-8)
Chanukah Lights Everywhere by Michael J. Rosen. Illustrated by
Melissa Iwai. 2001; Voyager, 2006 (0-15-205675-0) $6.00 pb
On each of the eight nights of Chanukah, a little boy counts lights for the number of candles his family lights. On the first night, "the skinny moon beams like a proud candle flame against the dark sky." On the sixth night, he counts six other menorahs in windows during a walk. On the seventh night, he visits a friend who celebrates Christmas and counts seven lights burning in his windows. And on the eighth night, he finds "all seven stars in the Big Dipper, plus the famous North Star above us, as though God, too, were lighting his own menorah in the sky. Even when Chanukah is over, he sees lights that remind him of their menorah and "I think about Chanukah and about being Jewish in such a wide world of so many other lights."
A sincere, earnest book with sincere, earnest illustrations,
Chanukah Lights Everywhere explores themes also seen in Rosen's
previous books like Elijah's
Angel (see below): respect and appreciation amongst people of different
religions. This time it comes across as more messagey than
heartwarming, however. There are some playful moments, with lots of
cats popping up--one peers out between the narrator's legs in a busy
family scene--and the glow of bright lights amid sparkling blue skies
in the many night illustrations is warm and satisfying. (3-6)
Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah by Sylvia A. Rouss. Illustrated by
Katherine Janus Kahn. Kar-Ben Copies, 1993 (0-929371-46-1)
Young Sammy Spider watches as a family celebrates Hanukkah, lighting candles and giving their little boy a different colored dreidel each night. "Mother, do you think I could have a blue dreidel to spin?" he asks. But each night, his mother replies, "Silly little Sammy, spiders don't spin dreidels. Spider's spin webs." But Sammy gets a special surprise from his mother on the last night of Hanukkah: 8 different colored socks, with a little dreidel spun on each one. Finally Sammy gets to spin dreidels, the way a spider should. This is a cheerful mix of holiday story and concept book, with slightly crude but colorful cut-paper illustrations. (2-5)
The Christmas Alphabet illustrated by Robert Sabuda. Orchard, 1994
(0-531-06857-9) $19.95
Behind twenty-six colored paper "doors" are exquisite paper sculptures, white,
wintry images that spring into movement as you reveal them. Each sculpture
illustrates a word with a Christmasy spirit, from an ascending Angel to a Santa
enjoying some Zzzz's. The animation of the pop-ups is simply
fascinating—friendly snowmen wave, a bell rings, the flame of a candle
revolves—and the simple outlines of the shapes, contrasting with their
colored backgrounds, are as appropriate for young children as for adults. The
overall design of the book is a little flimsy—superior production values
would no doubt have made it completely unaffordable—and a few of the
sculptures in my copy don't move smoothly, but these are fairly minor flaws in
such a mesmerizing book. (3 & up)
Wake Up Dormouse, Santa Claus is Here written and illustrated by Eleonore Schmid. Translated by Elizabeth D. Crawford. North-South, 1994 (1-55858-355-6) $5.95 pb
A tender little story about a dormouse who longs to meet Santa Claus and gets
his wish when an owl wakes him from hibernation. The Santa Claus of this title
is really Saint Nicholas, and this depiction of a quiet, gentle Santa who comes
to the forest to give gifts to the animals will surprise and charm American
readers who only know the jolly, comical image. Soft-hued watercolors capture
the beauty of autumn and the snowy winter night when Santa arrives. (4-8)
Hanukkah! by Roni Schotter. Illustrated by Marylin Hafner. Little,
Brown, 1990; 2003 (0-316-77623-8) $6.99 board book
Unlike most books about Hanukkah, this ebullient story is not informative:
rather, it tries to capture the spirit of fun and family togetherness created
by a Hanukkah celebration. Although the half-rhyming, staccato text is not
ideal for reading aloud, and the illustrations are not distinctive, the
cheerful warmth of the book is infectious. Winner of the National Jewish Book
Award. (2-4)
Winter Lullaby by Barbara Seuling. Illustrated by Greg
Newbold. Harcourt, 1998 (0-15-201403-9) $16.00
It's not exactly a lullaby, but this short book does have a
soothing quality, and would make excellent bedtime reading. Each
two-page spread, illustrated in a glossy, hyper-realistic style, asks
a question about animals in winter: "When ice covers the
mountain lake like a crust, where do the fish go?" The
next spread reassuringly answers in a brief rhyme: "They
swim below, where warm streams flow." A nice first
introduction to winter facts. (2-5)
Santasaurus written and illustrated by Niamh Sharkey. Candlewick, 2005 (0-7636-2671-6) $15.99
Quirky, chunky-shaped illustrations enliven this simple story of a boy
dinosaur named Milo, whose Christmas wish is to ride in the sleigh
with Santasaurus and his dinodeer. Naturally, Milo gets his wish.
"So, were all the dinosaurs happy? Yesosaurus, they were!" You get
the idea: the world-building here is somewhat slapdash, with
everything more-or-less randomly prefixed "dino" or suffixed "saurus,"
and images of dinosaurs everywhere. (Funny, I've never seen humans on
a weather vane.) Nonetheless, the whimsy seems to appeal greatly to
little kids. (3-6)
Snowbear's Christmas Countdown by Theresa Smythe. Henry Holt, 2004 (0-8050-7244-6)
It's the beginning of December, and Snowbear has something to do for
each day until Christmas: going skiing, shoveling snow, setting up
toy trains, and snuggling in bed watching favorite holiday movies,
when he has a cold. Attractively textured collage illustrations show
Snowbear and his friends enjoying the season together, with a pleasing
emphasis on merriment, helpfulness and tradition, as well as
presents. (2-5)
Peter Spier's Christmas! illustrated by Peter Spier. Doubleday, 1983;
Dell Picture Yearling, 1996 (0-440-41285-4) $5.99 pb
This lively wordless book offers a less dreamy, more realistic view of
Christmas than most holiday picture books. Crowded, bustling scenes show a
family shopping at a mall, making decorations and addressing cards, picking a
tree, going to church and so on. After Christmas dinner, we see that the
children's bedroom is overflowing with toys, and the kitchen is overflowing
with dirty dishes—but the mother and father wash up, and enjoy a cozy
evening by the fire. Finally the decorations have to come down and the pine
needles get vacuumed up, Christmas lights go on sale, people flock to the
"returns" counter, and a mound of trash is left to be collected. But amid the
rather sad debris of the holiday, there are reminders that Christmas will come
again: new trees are sprouting among the stumps, and the Christmas Club
payments begin anew. This cheerful book is a nice conversation starter; it
could even spark discussions about good reasons to make holiday celebration
more environmentally friendly. (3-8)
Coming Through the Blizzard by Eileen Spinelli. Illustrated by
Jenny Tylden-Wright. Simon & Schuster, 1999 (0-689-81490-9) $16.00
Despite a fierce blizzard, both people and animals come to share in a
Christmas Eve service. And when a tired and ragged stranger comes to
the place of warmth and celebration, Christmas comes too. Lyrical,
quiet prose captures the power of the night to draw people out despite the
bitter cold; unfortunately, the text is not well-matched by the
illustrations, which have an exaggeratededly textured, computer-generated look.
(3-8)
Three Pebbles and a Song Eileen Spinelli. Illustrated by S.D.
Schindler. Dial, 2003 (0-8037-2528-0) $16.99
In a turnaround of the old grasshopper-and-ant story, this tale shows
that being able to make merry is as valuable, in its way, as putting
food on the table. Moses, a young mouse, is supposed to be helping
his family gather food and warm things, to survive the coming snow.
But though he means well, somehow Moses always gets distracted, and
when the snow comes, Moses has gathered only, "a dance, a
song, and three gleaming pebbles." Luckily his family has
gathered enough to keep them all warm and fed... and bored to
tears, with nothing to do And that's when Moses' song, dance and pebbles
to toss come in very handy. Paintings in muted, wintry hues cozily illustrate
the mouse-people family. (3-6)
Merry Christmas, Cheeps! by Julie Stiegmeyer. Illustrated by
Carol Baicker-McKee. Bloomsbury, 2007 (9781-599990-064-3) $9.95
I feel a touch ambivalent about this book, not because it's not
likable--it is--but because it's come so very far from the world of
the first book in the series, Cheep! Cheep! (Reviewed volume
14, number 1.) The family of chicks no longer sleep on a barnyard perch,
but have easy chairs, Christmas trees and fireplaces, and their story is
not told in a few carefully chosen words but in fairly ordinary rhyme.
"Catch a snowflake from the sky... sparkle sparkle wish/Spread our
snowy angel wings... flutter flutter swish."
There is no real connection to the original book, and no longer
anything inspired to make this title stand out amongst other likable
Christmas books. Still, the almost-touchable collage illustrations,
featuring terry-cloth chicks, continue to have strong visual
appeal--and you have to love the chicks in knitted caps and scarves,
catching snowflakes, shaking jingle bells and making snow angels.
(1-3)
The Twelve Days of Christmas: a Pinata for the Pinon Tree by Philemon Sturges. Illustrated by Ashley Wolff. Little, Brown, 2007 (978-0-316-82323-4) $16.99
The author and illustrator of She'll Be
Comin' Round the Mountain teamed up to offer another sunny
Southwestern spin on a popular song. This time the animal town of
Reederville (pop. 43) is preparing for Christmas, and "mis amigos"
brings such goodies as eleven
Two stories happen simultaneously: a bear prepares Bozochitos (the
New Mexico state cookie), while watching the townsfolk decorate a
village Christmas
tree; a large starred pinata goes on top. At the end of the song, as
the gaily dressed townsfolk lower and strike the pinata, the bear
displays a tray of finished Bozcohitos, shaped liked the elements of
the story. (A recipe is also included.) Throughout, we see numerous
details of New Mexico culture, both around the tree and in the bear's
home: a lovingly decorated altar is in honor of
Sturges, who passed away in 2005.
The changed, still very singable lyrics make this book fun for readers
who know the original song, and the wealth of detail in the
illustrations has a lot to offer for teachers or librarians covering a
Southwestern theme. (Especially if cookie baking is involved.)
However, the animal-people illustrations may limit its appeal with
older children. (3-6)
The Gift of Christmas by Philemon Sturges. Illustrated by Holly Berry.
North-South, 1995 (1-55858-469-2) $15.95
Filled with every good-old-days cliche of Christmas—snow, stockings,
sleigh bells—this book already seems oddly dated, but may appeal to those
who like their vision of the holiday to be as rose-colored as possible.
There's no story, just a rhyming depiction of holiday delights that rarely
rises above doggerel: "The tastes of Christmas! So rich and sweet. On
Christmas day We eat and eat!" Berry's old-fashioned looking family adds to
the dated feeling, but her illustrations are truly very Christmas-sy, richly
designed and beautifully "framed" with seasonal motifs. (3-6)
A different kind of Christmas carol, this cheerful old song tells of a group of
animals tending their crops: on Christmas day, a pig went out to dig, a cow
went out to plow, and a sparrow went out to harrow—here, whimsically
shown pulling a harrowing machine as it flies. Eventually, every beast
contributes to a Christmas feast. The rhythmic song is very easy to read or
sing aloud, even if you don't know the tune (simple piano music is provided),
and the watercolor pictures use an eye-catching technique: one page of each
spread illustrates the text with a woodcut-like drawing of an animal, the
other, in lively contrast, shows the animal in action on its farm. Sweet
dresses the animals in medieval clothes and uses ancient symbols and motifs to
honor the song's roots as a harvest ritual, although some modern-looking
children sneak onto the last page. I'd like this book more if its creators
didn't seem to be trying to find deep meaning in what's essentially a nonsense
song—how can it be about seasons and circles when almost every action in
it is so outrageously out of season?—but children won't mind or even
notice. (2-6)
About as mild as a picture book can get, this "lift-the-flap" book tells a
simple story about a brown bear Santa delivering presents for various
animal-children. When he hears the children coming, he hides behind the
tree—but emerges to open a present for him: "A cuddly teddy bear!
How thoughtful." Innocuous and unsophisticated, this is pretty dull reading
for adults but will appeal to children who like a slow-paced text and
straightforward illustrations. The flaps which hide the presents (and Santa)
are large and easy to handle. (2-5)
This perennial favorite is a sweetly silly version of "The Twelve Days of
Christmas." Emma, an ordinary girl courted by a prince, doesn't want to leave
her farm—until the presents the prince sends her every day effectively
bring the entire kingdom to her. The animated human and animal "presents" are
a charming contrast to the placid Emma, and the matter-of-factly interracial
village is an appealing touch. * (4-7)
When I first saw this Caldecott winner in 1992, I wrote that it already had "all the signs
of an enduring classic." It was a pretty easy prophecy: The
illustrations are gorgeous, soft-focused and luminescent, and the story is
strongly appealing. The description of a boy's trip on a train to visit Santa
Claus is a perfect mixture of excitement and security as the children drink
"hot cocoa as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars" while they "travelled
through cold dark forests, where lean wolves roamed." The ending of the book
is particularly lovely, and will stay with readers for a long time.
(4-8)
A nativity depiction like no other, this book finds an unexpected life and
immediacy in the words of the King James bible through its fresh, whimsical
illustrations. Exquisitely shaded watercolors combine delicate beauty with
comical earthiness: a shaggy-headed Angel Gabriel clumps along in thick,
ill-fitting boots, trailing his glowing rainbow wings; a sweet-faced and very
pregnant Mary is hoisted by Joseph, with difficulty, onto a donkey. The magic
of the book is that it even as it makes the extraordinary ordinary, it makes
the ordinary wonderful, through the beauty, tender charm, and refreshing
naturalness of the drawings. Not for everyone, but an unforgettable book. * (4
& up)
Little Mo by Martin Waddell. Illustrated by Jill Barton.
Candlewick, 1993 (1-56402-211-0) $14.95
When Little Mo first tries stepping onto a frozen pond and falls with
a Bump!, she's glad to see the other polar bears,
"the Big Ones," coming to help her. But when
the Big Ones start to enjoy the ice, gleefully whizzing and racing
and jumping, Little Mo's only in their way - Bump!
It's enough to make Little Mo not like the ice anymore -
and it was all her idea in the first place! But then the Big Ones
forget Little Mo and go away; trying again, she goes Bump! once more,
but picks herself up and is soon sliding around on the ice all by
herself, and loving it.
Anyone who's been a younger sibling will recognize Little
Mo's predicament and sympathize with her, rejoicing in her
triumph at the end. Jill Barton's lively and expressive
watercolors bring the polar bears charmingly to life, as they twirl
delightedly around on the ice.
Starring the popular rabbit-children Max and Ruby, Max's Christmas is a
funny look at what Christmas is like with an ever-curious toddler. Max is full
of questions as his older sister Ruby prepares him for bed, but when he asks
why he can't stay up to see Santa Claus, all she can say is "because!" So Max
sneaks down to wait for Santa—and to pepper him with questions when he
arrives! The on-target humor of this brightly illustrated book will be enjoyed
by children and adults alike. (2-4)
Morris's Disappearing Bag written and illustrated by Rosemary
Wells. Viking, 1999; Puffin, 2001 (978-0-1423-0004-6) $6.99 pb
On Christmas morning, Morris is happy with his present of a stuffed
bear--until he finds that none of his three siblings wants to trade
and let him try their new toys. Then he finds a package that
was overlooked--and in it a Disappearing Bag that turns him invisible!
Of course, everyone wants to try that!
This is such a fresh, imaginative take on Christmas morning, with an
easily recognizable problem and an ingenious resolution. Wells makes
it even more fun by frequently reincorporating the theme of the other
three toys as they are traded by the siblings--happily disregarding
stereotypical sex roles--and by embellishing the cheerful pictures of
chunky rabbit-people with lots of little print motifs; Morris, in
mistletoe overalls, is especially adorable. * (3-6)
Picture books about Kwanzaa still seem to be stuck in the
instructional/didactic stage; I've yet to see one that's just for fun. This
pop-up book comes the closest though: accompanying the simple description of
the meaning of each day of Kwanzaa are vivid scratchboard-style pictures, whose
bold designs and textures and brilliant colors would be eye-catching even
without the elaborate, moving pop-ups. But of course it's also very satisfying
to see the candles pop-up out of the candleholder (kinara) and to see a
mat (mkeka) being woven in three-dimensions. An enjoyable way to
explain the basics of the holiday; recommended for parents and teachers. (4-8)
More than just an alphabet based on Christmas, this gentle, reverent text gives
a very accessible introduction to the story of the Nativity in easy-to-read
rhyming couplets. The power of the story is perfectly realized in Kleven's
jewel-like mixed-media collages, which combine brilliancy and softness for an
effect both beautiful and very tender and human. This is a lovely way to focus
on the religious aspects of Christmas, although I was perturbed that the text
seems to suggest that all people celebrate the birth of Christ. (3
& up)
Christmas is the perfect time for Scrooge stories, and this original tale about
a bitter, lonely woodcarver who learns how to care about people again is a
poignant, beautifully told variant of the theme. Jonathan Toomey is always
called Mr. Gloomy by the village children, for he seldom smiles and never
laughs, drowned in the pain of having lost his family. But when he carves a
very special set of Christmas figurines for newcomers to his village, the widow
McDowell and her son Thomas, Jonathan finds his heart warming in their gentle
company. Then he must carve the final figures, Mary and Jesus, but he can't
seem to do it—until he takes the picture of his wife and baby from out of
its hidden drawer and uses it as a model: "The baby's arms were reaching up,
touching the woman's face. The woman was looking down at the baby, smiling."
Once again able to remember his family with joy, Jonathan happily goes to the
Christmas service with his new friends, and no one ever calls him Mr. Gloomy
again. Wojciechowski's rhythmic but comfortably lifelike and homey narrative
makes even this very long picture book a pleasure to listen to, as well as to
read, and Lynch's rich, carefully detailed paintings sympathetically capture
the many complex moods and emotions of the text. * (5 & up)
Sequels to popular pictures books—especially when they're holiday
tie-ins—often feel a little forced. The fourth book about Fireman Small
is no exception, with rhymes that feel cumbersome compared to the seemingly
effortless verse of the original. This is more annoying to adult readers than
child listeners, however, who still enjoy the stalwart Fireman Small and his
valiant efforts to save whatever needs savings: in this case, naturally,
Christmas.
Fireman Small has been busy, helping to prepare the town's large Christmas
tree. As usual, he is pretty beat by the time he "closes the curtains, gets
into bed, and pulls the covers over his head." And as usual, Fireman Small's
much needed sleep is interrupted—by the arrival of an exhausted and
filthy Santa Claus in his coal chute! All ends happily, with a special present
for Fireman Small from Santa. (3-6)
This bland activity/board book has very little plot, just some simple
instructions on how to help smiling Benjy hang his stocking and decorate his
tree, using reusable vinyl stickers. It's nice that the book offers several
sticker choices, allowing children a little variety and decision-making. (2-5)
On Christmas Day in the Morning illustrated by Melissa Sweet.
Candlewick, 1999 (0-7636-0375-9) $15.95
The Great Santa Surprise written and illustrated by Suzy-Jane Tanner.
HarperFestival, 1996 (0-694-00706-4) $5.95 pb
Emma's Christmas written and illustrated by Irene Trivas. Orchard, 1988
(0-531-05780-1) $15.95; (0-531-07022-0) $5.95 pb
The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. 1985;
Houghton Mifflin, 2006 (0-395-38949-6) $18.95
The Nativity illustrated by Julie Vivas. Harcourt Brace, 1988; 2005
(0-15-20591-6) $16.00; Voyager, 2006 (0-15-206085-5) $7.00 pb
Max's Christmas written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells. Dial, 1986;
Puffin, 1994 (0-14-054563-8) $3.99 pb
A Kwanzaa Celebration by Nancy Williams. Illustrated by Robert Sabuda.
Simon & Schuster Little Simon, 1995 (0-689-80266-8) $11.95
B Is for Bethlehem by Isabel Wilner. Illustrated by Elisa Kleven.
Dutton, 1990; Puffin, 1995 (0-14-055610-9) $4.99 pb
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski.
Illustrated by P.J. Lynch. Candlewick, 1995 (1-56402-320-6) $15.95; 2002
(0-7636-1930-2) $12.99
A Small Christmas written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee. Houghton
Mifflin, 2004 (0-618-32612-X) $12.95
Benjy Bear's Christmas by Harriet Ziefert. Illustrated by Emilie Boon.
Candlewick, 1996 (1-56402-886-0) $7.99
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. Translated by Naomi Lewis. Illustrated by Angela Barrett. Candlewick, 1993 (1-56402-215-3) $16.95
One of Andersen's most powerful and moving stories is told
in its entirety in this beautifully designed but slightly
disappointing picture book. The translation seems rather more
prosaic than I remember it, while the accompanying illustrations are
lovely, but almost too pristine and perfect, capturing the coldness
and mystery of the tale but little of its warmth and humanity.
Still, the story of Kay, trapped with a frozen heart in the palace of
the Snow Queen, and of Gerda, the little girl who searches faithfully
for him and rescues him with the power of her love, has a haunting
magic which makes it unforgettable. The many memorable characters
and events should make it possible even for preschoolers to sit
through this unusually long story. (5 & up)
Hanukkah Fun by Judy Bastyra. Illustrated by Catherine Ward.
Kingfisher, 1996 (0-7534-5011-9) $4.95 pb
This crafts book features somewhat more difficult and sophisticated crafts than
others of similar type (and title.) Some of the interesting projects are
painted candles, a lamp to use with scented oils and a surprise cake that
spills out chocolate coins when it's cut. Even adults might enjoy trying some
of these creative ideas. Supervision is required for some projects; safety is
emphasized. * (7-12)
An Irish Night Before Christmas by Sarah Kirwan Blazek. Illustrated by
James Rice. Pelican (1-800-843-1724), 1995 (1-56554-086-7) $14.95
The familiar story of "the night before Christmas" takes on a decidedly
different flavor in this humorous parody of the famous poem. Here Father
Christmas arrives in a donkey and cart, dressed all in green and accompanied by
seven wee elfs: "Up Sean, up Patrick, Up Kevin and Kerry, Up Colum and Cormac,
Up Angus; don't tarry." But though he enjoys stout and plum pudding instead of
cookies and milk (and makes such a ruckus the missus of the house orders him
out), it's still pretty much the same jolly Santa. Sprinkled with many Irish
words and turns of phrase, this is a funny and exotic look (albeit full of
stereotypes) at different Christmas customs. The accompanying watercolor
illustrations are kind of grainy, but lively and fun. (5-10)
Kwanzaa Karamu by April A. Brady. Illustrated by Barbara Knutsen.
Photographs by Robert L. and Diane Wolf. Carolrhoda, 1995 (0-87914-842-9)
$17.21 library binding; (0-87614-633-7) $6.95 pb
The sixth day of Kwanzaa is devoted to celebrating the principle of kuumba, or creativity. This useful guide helps young readers get involved in that celebration by showing them ways to prepare a karamu, the special feast held for family and friends on the sixth day.
The first section of the book offers background, describing the history of Kwanzaa and giving an outline of how each of its seven days are celebrated. A particularly nice aspect of this section is that the author shares her own feelings about the seven principles behind Kwanzaa—unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith—and encourages readers to incorporate those principles into their lives throughout the year.
The second section consists of 19 recipes, updated versions of traditional favorites like Hush Puppies and Hopping John. Brady's recipes are clear and easy to understand and she includes a thoughtful list of safety instructions. The third section includes easy instructions for making a paper mkeka, a felt kinara tapestry, a paper-mache bowl or mask and an African headdress and skirt.
Well designed and thoughtfully written, this book will be very helpful to any
readers who want to learn more about Kwanzaa and participate in a
karamu. (8-13)
Red Ranger Came Calling written and illustrated by Berkeley Breathed. Little, Brown, 1994 (0-316-10881-2) $16.95; 1997 (0-316-10249-0) $6.95 pb
The first of Breathed's children's books not based on his "Bloom County"
characters is probably also his very best, a marvelous story about a
nine-year-old Scrooge who learns the value of faith and caring in a most
bizarre fashion. The "Guaranteed True Christmas Story" is told in the words of
Breathed's father, Red Breathed, called that not because of "the thatch of
orange debris atop his head that made it look like a freckled ostrich egg on
fire," but because of his overriding passion for Buck Tweed, the Red Ranger of
Mars, a thirties movie hero. It's the middle of the Depression and young Red
Breathed is as depressed as anyone else, longing for an Official Buck Tweed
bicycle, knowing he won't get it, and blaming the adults in his life for
failing him. But when he discovers a mysterious old man named Saunder Clšs,
who has the power to make dogs levitate, if not reindeers fly, it seems that
Red may get his deepest wish after all. What happens next is a wonderful
surprise, a heartwarming, magical ending impossible to forget. Breathed's
rich, surreal illustrations bring out both the sophisticated cynicism and the
childish fantasy in the story, playing with textures, dimensions and
perspectives for a multiplicity of effects and making the most of the 1930's
setting with a barrage of visual references. The text, though, is even better,
filled with irony and imagery and a biting wit that keeps its warmth from ever
becoming soppy sentimentality. * (8 & up)
The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns. Illustrated by Martha Weston. Macmillan, 1981 (0-02-716140-4)
This nonfiction book is an honest and straightforward examination of the
meaning of Hanukkah, with a special section on how Jewish children can examine
their feelings about Christmas. Both informative and thought-provoking. (8
& up).
Kwanzaa by Deboarh M. Newton Chocolate. Illustrated by Melodye
Rosales. Children's Press, 1990 (0-516-03991-1); (0-516-43991-X)
$4.99 pb
This description of Kwanzaa as celebrated by one family is a little long
and pedantic, but has a nice emphasis on African-American history,
both general and specific. The illustrations show an extended family with
realistically different styles and skin tones. (5-8)
Hanukkah, Shmanukkah! by Esme Raji Codell. Illustrated by
LeUyen Pham. Hyperion, 2005 (978-0-7868-5179-9) $16.99
Several different threads of Jewish history--the first
Hanukkah, immigration to the United States and the fight for unions
and better working conditions in sweatshops--are all woven together
in a parody of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" that
is funny, touching, and far more grounded in business reality
than the original. Cranky old "Scroogemacher" does "not rush out and
get a big challah and bring it to the Gersteins" after his visits from
the
Rabbis of Hanukkah Past, Present and Future, but he does treat his
workers a little better and listen to their demands when they go on
strike. If reading aloud, you will want to gear up your best Yiddish
accent to do justic to the text, which is lavishly sprinkled with
phrases
like "That farshtunkener butcher sold me bad meat" and "Don't
ask me
for alms. I put it in the tzedakah box already"; though the
book
is long, the narrative is so flavorfully constructed, it's hard to
stop reading. (A glossary is included.) Illustrations in
mostly muted browns, reds and yellows are rather familiar images of
Jewish
"types," which works in this context. (5 & up)
The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by Janice
Cohn. Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Albert Whitman, 1995 (0-8075-1152-8)
$16.95
This picture book tells the true story of an inspiring event: when windows
with Hanukkah menorahs become targets for rock throwers in Billings, Montana in
1993, thousands of non-Jewish people put pictures of menorahs in their windows,
dramatically reducing the number of hate crimes in their city. Although this
telling is somewhat dry and didactic—and not helped much by muted,
photo-realistic style illustrations—the story itself is so compelling and
heartwarming it has its own power. (5-10)
Aunt Eater's Mystery Christmas written and illustrated by Doug Cushman.
HarperCollins, 1995 (0-06-023579-9); HarperTrophy, 1996 (0-06-444221-7) $3.75
pb
In four comic vignettes, Aunt Eater tackles several mysteries that turn out to
have very mundane explanations. But when a special package is left under her
Christmas tree, it's a wonderful mystery indeed. Cushman's long-nosed
character, the Miss Marple of easy readers, establishes the mood of the book
with her expressive face and body, as she ponders clues and sneaks cautiously
around investigating. (6-8)
Christmas Cookies! by Susan Devins. Illustrated by Barbara Lehman.
Candlewick, 2003 (0-7636-1632-X) $12.99
There are two things I love about this cookbook: it's spiral bound (big,
usable spirals, with no sharp edges) and its pages are laminated, for easy
clean-up. What a great idea for a beginner's cookbook! Other than that, it's
a well chosen collection of recipes, some classic like Snickerdoodles and
Shortbread, others more novel like Rice Krispie Christmas Wreaths and
Peppermint Chocolate Bark (really a candy, not a cookie.) Recipes include both
imperial and metric quantity measurements. One potential disappointment: the
three plastic cookie cutters enclosed (a star, tree and gingerbread man) are
too small to use successfully for some of the suggested recipes. (5-12)
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Illustrated by Quentin Blake.
McElderry, 1995 (0-689-80213-7) $19.95
Illustrated by an artist most known for his quirky, humorous pictures, this
unexpected version of A Christmas Carol uses Blake's usual style of pen
& ink drawings (some in color), with seemingly slapdash, erratic lines
which are filled with character. Expressive and atmospheric, they succeed in
capturing the funny, joyful elements of the story as well as its bitter, gloomy
and frightening aspects. This humanizing edition is a breath of fresh air, a
welcome reminder that A Christmas Carol is truly an entertaining story,
not just a moldy old tradition. * (6 & up)
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Illustrated by Carter Goodrich.
Books of Wonder/Morrow, 1996 (0-688-13606-0) $18.00
Abridged by the author himself, this is a shortened version of the classic
Christmas story for easier read-alouds or performances, taking around ninety
minutes to read. Unlike many other abridgements, this retains the story's
original language and exciting imagery. The muted, gloomy illustrations are in
the traditional mode and don't add anything new to the book. (5 & up)
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Illustrated by Roberto Innocenti.
Harcourt Brace, 1995 (0-15-100200-2) $35.00
This oversized, ornately designed volume illustrates Dicken's tale large,
elegant paintings. Nineteenth century London comes vividly to life in
realistically detailed crowd scenes and wintry rooftop views. Most of the
pictures are wide-ranging in scope rather than intimate, except for a
ghoulishly humorous meeting between Scrooge and Marley's ghost and several
scenes during the visit of the third spirit which are appropriately filled with
grim despair. (6 & up)
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Abridged by Vivian
French.
Illustrated by Patrick Benson. Candlewick, 1993 (1-56402-204-8)
$15.95
This abridgment of Dicken's classic Christmas story seems
essentially pointless. It supposedly makes A Christmas Carol
short
enough for preschoolers--but any preschooler who can sit through 44
pages of full text would be able to sit through the entire story.
The magic of Dicken's prose is simply lost through this
well-meaning mutilation. If an abridgement is preferred, the one listed
above by Dickens himself is a better choice.
Christmas in the Stable selected and illustrated by Beverly K. Duncan.
Harcourt Brace, 1990 (0-15-217758-2); Voyager, 1996 (0-15-201385-7) $5.00 pb
This unique, lovely collection of poems looks at the night of the Nativity from
the point of view of stable creatures. In "What the Donkey Saw" by U. A.
Fanthorpe, a donkey relates how, "in spite of the overcrowding/I did my best to
make them feel wanted/I could see the baby and I/Would be going places
together." Jane Yolen's "Dog at the Stable" is amazed to see that "a Master"
could be so "meek and mild." And in Linda Peavey's "Lives" an arrogant cat
marvels that "I, too, feel bound to worship this wee thing/Even a cat can look
at a king." Charming, sweet, sometimes even funny, these poems all convey a
genuine atmosphere of reverence. Gentle watercolors frame the poems against
backgrounds of holiday-associated nature motifs and expressively illustrate the
animal narrators. (4-12)
Papa's Latkes by Michelle Edwards. Illustrated by Stacey
Schuett. Candlewick, 2004 (0-7636-0779-7) $15.99
In a winter sometime during World War II, Selma and her little sister
Dora help their father prepare latkes, for the first Chanukah since
their mother died, a few months before. At first Selma is too
grief-stricken to eat: "Papa's latkes shouldn't look like this. They
should look like Mama's latkes. Chanukah shouldn't be like this.
Three people in the kitchen instead of four." But Papa reminds her
that, "we can remember Mama. And we can make latkes and we can still
celebrate Chanukah. That is what Mama would want us to do." Edwards
uses flavorful dialogue to enliven the long, sad story, while
Schuett's oil illustrations bring out the sombreness and uncertainty
in the faces of the two girls, and the desperate cheerfulness of their
father as he tries to make the holiday a happy one. (5-10)
Christmas Countdown by Steve Englehart. Illustrated by Bryna Waldman. Avon Camelot, 1993 (0-380-76842-9) $5.99 pb
Although the subtitle says "a story a day for 25
days," most of the "stories" in this
book are actually short, informational articles about Christmas
customs and legends. The articles are quite interesting, but I was
perturbed that no clear distinction is drawn between historical facts
and customary or religious beliefs. The pictures aren't
particularly interesting, but are nicely multicultural, including an
atypically non-caucasian depiction of Mary. (8-12)
Ben's Christmas Carol by Toby Forward. Illustrated by Ruth Brown.
Dutton, 1996 (0-525-45593-0) $15.99
The classic Dickens story is retold here from a mouse point of view, in a tale
about a miserly mouse named Ben, his poor friend Tim, and a mysterious white
mouse named Jake who shows Ben the error of his ways. Rather than sticking
strictly to the original story, this retelling keeps it on a fairly simple,
mouse-like level. Perhaps the best thing about the book is a wonderful
surprise in the illustrations: as the mice story is told, the dark, haunting
pictures also show the story of the original Christmas Carol happening
above-stairs. In one of the best illustrated touches, shortly after we see
Scrooge accompanied by a ghost, the white mouse Jake is revealed as not just
white, but actually transparent. (5 & up)
The Truth About Santa Claus by James Cross Giblin. Crowell, 1985 (0-690-04483-6)
An interesting and readable history of the origins of the Santa Claus
myth and how it has changed over the centuries. Includes many
intriguing illustrations of old statues, drawings and photographs. A
bibliography and index are included. (10 & up)
While the Candles Burn by Barbara Diamond Goldin. Illustrated by Elaine
Greenstein. Viking, 1996 (0-670-85875-7) $15.99
Taking an unusual and interesting approach to Hanukkah stories, this collection
features eight tales which aren't specifically about Hanukkah, but which
express some of the traditional themes and meanings of the holiday. As
introductions to the stories point out, Hanukkah is celebrated in different
ways by Jews around the world: one of most interesting stories, an original,
modern-day tale, is set at a bilingual Israeli/Arab school to express a theme
of reconciliation and peace—a part of Hanukkah celebrations in Greece.
(This school, Oasis of Peace, actually exists in Israel!) Goldin's smoothly
crafted retelling of six traditional tales, plus two original stories,
skillfully combine lively details with an atmosphere of reverence. The
scratchboard-style illustrations are warm and expressive; an especially nice
touch are the eight different Menorahs which decorate the beginning of each
chapter—each, of course, holding the appropriate number of candles. *
(5 & up)
Gobble: The Complete Book of Thanksgiving Words by Lynda Graham-Barber. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Avon Camelot, 1993 (0-380-71963-0) $3.99
This well-researched collection of facts and history about the
origins of words associated with Thanksgiving is designed for easy
browsing: open it anywhere and you'll find intriguing
details about the early lives of the Pilgrims and the meanings of
Thanksgiving customs. Having words as the focus of the book lets it
touch on lots of diverse linguistic, historical and literary
information, which is both educational and entertaining, while the
forthright, matter-of-fact style is very readable. (8 & up)
Celebrating Kwanzaa by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith. Illustrated by Lawrence
Migdale. Holiday House, 1993 (0-8234-1048-X) $15.95; (0-8234-1130-3) $6.95 pb
This interesting and informative book is an excellent way to learn about the
meaning and traditions of Kwanzaa, an African-American harvest festival
celebrated by people of many different religious beliefs. An attractively
designed combination of text, sidebars and photographs describe the holiday
while explaining its historical and cultural significance to black Americans,
as a connection to their heritage and a reminder of important values. Readers
are drawn into the text through the voice of a thirteen-year-old girl named
Andiey, who describes the seven principles of Kwanzaa (developed by its
creator, Maulana Karenga) and explains how her family relates them to their
lives. Highly recommended for libraries; a glossary and index are included.
(5-8/8-12)
Stories by Firelight written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1993 (0-688-04568-5) $16.00
If this unique collection of poems and stories has a flaw,
it's that it's much too short. Although none
of the segments (except for a fantastically drawn wordless story)
really stand out as exceptional, together they're a
wonderful mood piece, complemented by dreamy, impressionistic
drawings. Stories by Firelight celebrates the many different
feelings evoked by the winter and Christmas, from exultant to
wistful; while some of the eerier pieces emphasize, through contrast,
the delights of being cozily at home. (5 & up)
The Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson. Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. Millbrook, 1994 (1-56294-400-2)
This brief history gives a very basic idea of how several different civilizations marked the Winter Solstice, including some activities that have passed down into current holiday traditions, such as putting lights in trees and giving gifts. It ends, somewhat randomly, with a retelling of a Cherokee legend. The book is nicely designed, with the text for each section framed in appropriate decorations, but overall it is uninspiring.. A bibliography or suggested for further reading would have been useful. (5-10)
Noelle of the Nutcracker by Pamela Jane. Illustrated by Jan Brett.
Houghton Mifflin, 1986; Dell Yearling, 1997 (0-440-41418-0) $3.99 pb
Reminiscent of Rumer Godden's classic doll stories, this is a likeable tale about the special relationship between children and toys. Ilyana, who longs to dance, feels an instant affinity with the beautiful ballerina doll she sees in a toy shop—but the one-of-a-kind doll named Noelle costs $175. To make things even worse, Ilyana's obnoxious classmate Mary Jane is determined to get the doll for herself—and she's enough of a spoiled brat to manage it.
Noelle the doll is unaware of this rivalry: her dreams are all about being a
prima ballerina, not about little girls, and she gets her wish when she is
purchased to be a prop in "the Nutcracker." But when Noelle is no longer
needed for the ballet, she realizes that the best kind of dancing for a doll is
in a child's loving arms. Is Noelle doomed to a lonely life in the prop room,
with the miserable ghosts of other unloved toys? Will Mary Jane find her, only
to toss her in the closet with her other dolls? Or will Ilyana somehow find a
way to make both her and Noelle's dreams come true? With its sprightly
narrative and satisfying conclusion, Noelle of the Nutcracker is just
right for holiday reading. (7-11)
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel. Illustrated by Trina
Schart Hyman. Holiday House, 1989 (0-8234-0769-1) $15.95; (0-8234-1131-1)
$6.95 pb
Among the endless historical retellings and ubiquitous latkes recipes of most
Hanukkah books, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins stands out like a
candle flame, an original and enchanting story about a wily man whose ingenuity
saves Hanukkah from the goblins who haunt an old synagogue. Filled with the
humor of trickster stories and some genuine horror, Hershel...
ultimately demonstrates the true meaning of Hanukkah: freedom. Hyman's
Caldecott Honor illustrations are delightful juxtapositions of reality and
fantasy, contrasting the carefully drawn Hershel with the absurd yet
increasingly chilling images of the goblins. (5-8)
The Magic Dreidels by Eric A. Kimmel. Illustrated by Katya Krenina.
Holiday House, 1996 (0-8234-1256-3) $15.95
This playful reworking of an old folk tale gives it a Hanukkah theme. When a
boy named Jacob drops his dreidel down a well, the goblin who lives in the well
gives him a new one, a dreidel that spins out latkes. But when he shows the
dreidel off to Fruma Sarah, the neighborhood busybody, she steals it and gives
him an ordinary one in its place. The same thing happens when the goblin gives
Jacob a dreidel that spins out Hanukkah gelt. But when the goblin gives Jacob
a dreidel that spins out fleas, Fruma Sarah quickly sees the error of her ways!
Kimmel's telling is too brusque, but listeners will enjoy this humorous change
of pace from more traditional Hanukkah stories. Krenina's watercolor
illustrations use distinctive odd, sharp and curving shapes to create an
offbeat and appropriately magical atmosphere. (4-8)
A Great Miracle Happened There by Karla Kiskin. Illustrated by Robert
Andrew Parker. 1993; HarperTrophy, 1995 (0-06-443426-5) $5.95 pb
A boy describes the first night of his family's Chanukah celebration, shared
with his friend Henry, who "always has questions." This is a rather
unconvincing narrative which probably would've worked better in the third
person, but it has the merit of raising issues not often found in Chanukah
books: during her retelling of the Chanukah story, the boy's mother tells them
that Mattathias was wrong to kill over the unfair laws, and after the story the
whole family discusses whether or not they believe in miracles. The retelling
is better than the book as a whole, and its accompanying watercolor
illustrations work much better than those for the modern scenes, which are
largely dull and expressionless. (5-8)
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights by Jenny Koralek. Illustrated
by Juan Wijngarrd. Lothrop, 1990 (0-688-09329-9)
The Hanukkah story is told here in a solemn, ritualistic style, which
is well matched by dark realistic painting. Frames around each
picture help give the feeling of actually peering into a captured moment of
the past. (6-10)
The Gift from Saint Nicholas by Dorothea Lachner. Illustrated by Maja Dusikova. North-South, 1995 (1-55858-456-0) $15.95
It had been snowing for over a week, and everyone in Anna and Misha's village
is snowed in. "Saint Nicholas Day won't be any fun if we can't get out to see
Grandfather Gregor or any of our friends," says Misha, so he and Anna wish for
Saint Nicholas to blow a path through the snow. When the villagers see a
mysterious package in the village square the next day, they all shovel their
way though to open it. Nothing is inside but an old teapot—but no one is
disappointed after they all meet for tea at Grandfather Gregor's house and get
to spend Saint Nicholas Day together after all. A nicely told story, with
soft, muted watercolors of the old-fashioned village. (5-8)
Christmas Around the World by Mary D. Lankford. Illustrated by Karen
Dugan. Morrow, 1995 (0-688-12166-7); Mulberry, 1998 (0-688-16323-8) $4.95 pb
Every child knows what the ideal Christmas is supposed to be like, with a
decorated tree, presents, Christmas nasturtiums, ensalada navidena to
eat, a visit from the Christmas gnome... hey wait a minute, that's not right!
But if you're an Australian child you might well have nasturtiums blooming for
Christmas, a Mexican child would probably eat ensalada navidena, and a
Swedish child would wait for the tomte, who lives under the floorboards
of the house, instead of Santa Claus. These are just some of the ways in which
Christmas traditions differ widely from culture to culture; as this informative
books shows, in many places, trees, Santa Claus and even presents aren't part
of the celebration at all. This is a well researched and attractively designed
book, interesting on its own, but especially welcome as a reminder that
Christmas celebrations don't have to be centered around consumption. Several
craft projects from other cultures are included. (8-14)
Christmas in the Stable by Astrid Lindgren. Illustrated by Harald
Wiberg. 1963; Paperstar, 1998 (0-698-11664-X) $5.99 pb
The nativity story becomes very real for a young Swedish farm girl, as her
mother tells her about two cold travellers who once found sanctuary in a
stable. As her mother tenderly describes the animals who comforted the
travellers, and the shepherds who saw a star burning over their stable, the
girl sees the wintry beauty of the Swedish countryside and its people,
delicately and lovingly drawn. The religious aspects of the story aren't
mentioned, but the reverence is certain. (4-8)
Emma's Magic Winter by Jean Little. Illustrated by Jennifer Plecas.
HarperCollins, 1998 (0-06-025389-4) $14.95
A little imagination helps a shy girl named Emma make a new friend in this winning "I Can Read" book. When Emma meets her new neighbor Sally, she's totally at a loss for words. Then she sees Sally's snow boots, just the same as hers, and suddenly knows what to say: "My boots have magic powers... Your boots look just like mine. Are yours magic too?" Sure enough they are, and soon the magic of Emma and Sally's boots has made them best friends, and helped Emma overcome her shyness, too.
Written with warmth and understanding, Emma's Magic Winter can be
enjoyed both by readers who take it at face value and those who understand the
subtext. The lively pen & ink and watercolor illustrations are equally
warm, giving the two girls a sort of coltish exuberance that expresses their
joy at being together. (4-8)
Thanksgiving Poems selected by Myra Cohn Livingston.
Illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Holiday House, 1985 (0-8234-0570-2)
This title is out of print, which doesn't surprise me too much, because the illustrations have not worn well. But there are such wonderful poems here, many of which were commissioned especially for this book, that it's worth it to search out a copy.
Thanksgiving Poems covers many aspects of Thanksgiving, excluding historical/political controversy. There are harvest poems from an Osage and a Navajo Indian, a selection from the Bible ("Make a Joyful Noise Onto the Lord") and comic poems about overeating from poets like X. J. Kennedy and Jane Yolen. I was most captivated by the poems that concentrate on joy and gratitude, such as the lyrical wordplay of the poem "Giving Thanks Giving Thanks" by Eve Merriam; this is the second paragraph:
giving thanks giving thanks for cows and cowslips eggs and eggplants stars and starlings dogs and dogwood
And I was blown away by the simple beauty and sincerity of a poem of thanksgiving by Emanuel di Pasquale, which begins:
I pull a baby crab off a seaweed-rich rock and let it run on my hands, and I see God. I see God in millions of lights dancing in the sea and air.
It's a shame that the illustrations, largely black & white drawings
with splotches of muted, unattractive colors, have lost so much
freshness, seeming tired and dated. I would so love to see this
otherwise superb collection reillustrated; even a fresh printing might
revitalize it. (4 & up)
The Christmas Visitor by Anneliese Lussert. Illustrated by Loek Koopmans. North-South, 1995 (1-55858-449-8) $15.95
A selfish, greedy man learns the importance of giving in this simple fable, set
the time of the the birth of Christ. Exquisite watercolors of snowy woods and
brightly glowing lights capture the feeling of a dark, cold winter, as the man
travels through the night, giving away more and more of his own clothing to
others, to be rewarded by a smile from the newborn infant. The theme of
self-sacrifice could be considered overdone, but this is generally a touching
religious story, a nice accompaniment to a Nativity tale. (4-8)
Chanukah Fun by Toli Marcus Minelli. Illustrated by Stewart Walton.
Tupelo, 1994 (0-688-13560-9) $6.95 pb
This acti