A Very Babymouse Christmas
In A Very Babymouse Christmas, the latest in the graphic novel series by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm, Babymouse is absolutely obsessed with the idea of receiving a Whiz Bang from Santa Claus. A few literary vignettes including The Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol are referenced with a few changes. Will Babymouse receive her Whiz Bang for Christmas? Will she learn any lessons in this installment of the series? Will the series continue past this book? All these questions are answered in A Very Babymouse Christmas.
Recommended for grades 1 to 4.
A Christmas Tree for Pyn
Oother is a big, gruff, widowed mountain man who lives with his small, gentle, pigtailed daughter, Pyn. While he loves Pyn, Oother is not the kind to soften for anyone; when Pyn calls him “Papa,” he responds with a grunt, “My name is Oother.” Patient, uncomplaining Pyn cooks and keeps house while Oother works all day in the woods. As Christmas draws near, Pyn longs for a tree to decorate, to help bring cheer into their humble cottage. When Pyn asks, Oother’s immediate grunt of an answer is, “No Christmas Tree.” But Pyn does not give up, and finally sets off alone in the snow to find the perfect tree.
Popular author and artist Olivier Dunrea uses his distinctive, clean lines and intricate shadings to illustrate this sweet (not sappy) story. This would make a great holiday bedtime story, especially for ages 5-8.
It's a Miracle! A Hanukkah Storybook
This charming and cheerful holiday book, published in 2003, is recommended by the Cooperative Children's Book Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Little Owen Block is finally old enough to be the "Official Candle Lighter" during the nights of Hanukkah. After lighting each candle, his Grandma Karen tells him a funny and heartwarming bedtime story. Many of the stories seem to be about the family members who later come to dinner on the eighth night of Hanukkah. Of course by then, readers will feel familiar with the whole family and understand the family's inside jokes told at the dinner table. At the end of the book, the author adds educational material about "The Hanukkah Legend", "Hanukah Blessing" and a glossary of terms.
I recommend this book for ages 5-9.
Christmas Farm
Perhaps it is because I love the outdoors, planting and gardening that this was among my favorite holiday books recommended by Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wilma had gardened for years, but she wants to plant something new on her land. During the winter months, she decides to start a Christmas tree farm in the spring and begins planning. She will need some help with all the planting and she knows that Parker, the little boy next door, will help her. Readers will enjoy the seasonal changes as years pass by and delight in watching Parker grow as the trees grow from year to year. A note from the author in the back of the book tells readers how many years it takes to grow a Christmas tree.
I recommend this book for ages 4-7.
A Scaredy Christmas
Oh Scaredy Squirrel - your scaredness makes you so irresistable. If you haven't met Scaredy Squirrel yet, this new Christmas book featuring the nervous nellie squirrel is a sure way to get to know him. He is so careful, so prepared, so tuned in to probable disasters that his advice for Christmas festivities makes for a thicker than normal picture book. But you won't care because Scaredy Squirrel is so endearing, so thoughtful, so lovable, and in the end he just wants to enjoy the holidays like everyone else.
Peace and Quiet
Underwood is the author of The Quiet Book and The Loud Book. In this holiday release she beautifully portrays all the ways it can be "Christmas Quiet". The examples (Searching for Presents Quiet - Getting Caught Quiet) are fleshed out expertly in the illustrations. Young and old alike will know exactly what these "quiets" are all about.
Carrots!
Wombat is at it again, this time with Santa and the Reindeer. Wombat loves carrots and he finds out if he hangs around with said Santa and Reindeer he'll find all the carrots he could possibly eat. Nice illustrations and sparse but clever text makes this book very enjoyable.
Lots to Think About
David Almond must be a deep thinker. My Name is Mina gives the reader a lot to think about, and do. Mina is quirky to say the least. She doesn't see anything the same way as any of her classmates or teachers so school doesn't quite fit her. Her classmates think she is crazy. Mina, like so many young people, is just trying to find her place and figure things out. This prequel story to Almond's award-winning Skellig will not disappoint.
