December Holiday Books 2005

Compared to recent years, publishers have shown a little restraint this season when it comes to December holiday books. Never fear, though, because there are still more than 50 Christmas and Hanukkah titles to choose from; we received no Kwanzaa books for review. Cows, crows, flamingos, hens, mice, dinosaurs, snowmen, dogs, and even a few human families celebrate the holidays; the selections range from the sweet to the silly, from the spiritual to the sublime. There should be something here to suit any taste. For titles that rise above the rest, check out our stars; you won’t go wrong with Anna Grossnickle Hines’s glowing quilts and wintry poetry, Margie Palatini and Richard Egielski’s talented French hens, or Marla Frazee’s winsome Santa Claus.

ABBOTT, Tony. Kringle. illus. by Greg Call. 338p. Scholastic. Oct. 2005. Tr $14.99. ISBN 0-439-74942-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-6 –In northern Britain in the early fifth century, a boy named Kringle and an old woman named Merwen live in an isolated cottage. When they are attacked by goblins, Kringle runs away, meets friendly shoe-repairing elves and pirates, and above all makes it his mission to rescue Merwen and hundreds of children. This fantasy combines magic (elven runes and flying reindeer), history (the end of the Roman occupation figures prominently, as does a certain Brother Alban), theology (Kringle is fascinated to learn about baby Jesus and his family), and a good dose of imagination to come up with a delightful explanation of the origins of our present-day Santa Claus. Fantasy readers will enjoy this tale year-round, despite the reindeer and holly on the cover.

APPELT, Kathi. Merry Christmas, Merry Crow. illus. by Jon Goodell. unpaged. CIP. Harcourt. Oct. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 0-15-202651-7. LC 2002012641.

PreS-Gr 2 –“A shiny ring/A piece of string/A length of garland glimmering” are a few of the objects that a crow finds or steals. He flies “Round the chimneys/Over the yards/Down the busy boulevards” of a small town where other birds and townsfolk gather to enjoy “a perfect Christmas tree.” Goodell’s lavish, realistic oil-and-acrylic paintings set a wintry yet cozy tone for this warm and magical story. The jaunty rhyming text makes for a fun, easy read. Children will enjoy anticipating where the crow is taking his treasures and delight in the additional bonus of a tree filled not only with the objects, but also with all his feathered friends. This book is a charming addition to any Christmas collection, useful for a holiday storytime, as a family bedtime selection, or for independent reading.

BEN-ZVI, Rebecca. Four Sides, Eight Nights: A New Spin on Hanukkah. illus. by Susanna Natti. 47p. CIP. Roaring Brook/A Deborah Brodie Bk. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-59643-059-1. LC 2004022562.

Gr 2-5 –Eight short chapters provide a miscellany of information about Hanukkah, such as its history, customs, trivia, the dreidel song, and even some science facts. The writing is breezy and child-friendly, and the black-and-white drawings on every page add appeal. One strange omission is a basic recipe for latkes, since there is a whole page of substitutions for potatoes and serving suggestions for them. The intended audience appears to be Jewish children who want to know more about the holiday, although other curious children will also find this a satisfying read.

BOND, Rebecca. A City Christmas Tree. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Little, Brown/Megan Tingley Bks. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-316-53731-4. LC 2004028893.

K-Gr 3 –The trees for sale at the end of Liberty Street evoke different emotions and ideas for each member of the Laroche family. On Monday, their scent reminds Maggie of a day at the sea, wild and windy. On Tuesday, her brother thinks of the “deeply, densely green-blue hue” in the heart of the woods, and so on through the week. On Friday, the family buys the tree and carries it home, spending Saturday decorating it. By Sunday, the city is lit by the lights of hundreds of Christmas trees. Bond’s words twirl and skip with a lilting rhythm that reads aloud beautifully. Acrylic illustrations seem to sway and dance as well, with interesting shapes and perspectives and pictures of a family that can’t help but make readers smile. The colors, however, are more springtime than winter, which is a little distracting in a few places. Still, this is a happy celebration of Christmas in a city, and a reminder of how one holiday symbol can mean so many different things to different people.

BROWN, Margaret Wise. The Little Fir Tree. illus. by Jim LaMarche. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-028189-8; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-028190-1. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 2 –Originally published in 1954 with illustrations by Barbara Cooney, this story of a small lame boy and a living fir tree that his father brings home at Christmas continues to resonate in our ultra-commercial time. LaMarche milks the sentimentality of Brown’s poetic text with details such as the boy’s large, wondering eyes; old-fashioned costuming; and cozy, candle-lit scenes. While neither restrained nor subtle, this presentation may appeal to Brown’s many fans.

BUEHNER, Caralyn. Snowmen at Christmas. illus. by Mark Buehner. unpaged. CIP. Dial. 2005. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-8037-2995-2. LC 2003016557.

PreS-Gr 2 –The creators of Snowmen at Night (Putnam, 2002) now turn their attention to that burning question: How do snowmen celebrate Christmas? In rhyming text, a boy details his hypothesis. On the night before the holiday, all of the snow families gather in the town center, decorate the square with holly and icicles, and deck the big Christmas tree with balls of snow. After the arrival of the “snowman Kris Kringle,” the icy individuals hold hands around the tree and sing songs about–you guessed it–snow, before taking their sleepy families home to their own yards. The crisply colored acrylic-and-oil paintings wonderfully portray the whimsical nighttime world of these frosty folk. This tale is perfect for sharing with a large group or one-on-one (there are hidden objects in each picture for those making a close examination). The Buehners show yet again that, despite their chilly appearance, snowmen really know how to party.

BULL, Jane. The Merry Christmas Activity Book: 50 Ways to Make Your Spirits Bright. 48p. illus. photos. index. DK. Oct. 2005. Tr $12.99. ISBN 0-7566-1369-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 1-3 –From paper-plate snowmen to tree-ornament baubles to pomanders and potpourri, these crafts and activities are well suited to the capabilities of the target audience. Lavish color photos of the ingredients or supplies, of the step-by-step directions, and of the finished products will inspire novices as well as more experienced crafters. Instructions are clear and cheerful, although some are delivered in a minuscule font, and some text is all but lost in the gutter. Still, this is an attractive and useful addition.

BUYSKE, Gail. How the Russian Snow Maiden Helped Santa Claus. illus. by Natasha Voronina. unpaged. CIP. Vernissage. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-9725027-4-2. LC 2005007343.

PreS-Gr 2 –Because his wife has gone away to care for her sick sister, Santa Claus is falling behind schedule as Christmas approaches. At his request, Father Frost (“the Santa Claus for Russian children”) sends the Snow Maiden to help out with making and wrapping presents. Before the girl leaves for the North Pole, Father Frost gives her a matryoshka, or nesting doll, to keep her company. She hides the toy, afraid that Santa will think her too childish, but when he finally sees it, he is inspired to give nesting dolls as Christmas presents. There isn’t much of a story here, but the illustrations, rendered in a wood-burned/painted technique, have a delightfully folksy Russian style. Readers learn a tiny bit about Russian traditions and language, but not enough to justify purchase.

BYNUM, Janie, adapt. Santa Baby. illus. by adapt. unpaged. score. CIP. Little, Brown. Oct. 2005. Tr $10.99. ISBN 0-316-00067-1. LC 2004023272.

PreS –The original “Santa Baby” was composed by Philip Springer, Joan Javits, and Tony Springer and sung most famously by Eartha Kitt. In this version, a roly-poly baby dressed in a Santa suit enjoys a cozy, fun Christmas Eve with Mom, waiting for Dad to come home. The watercolor illustrations are bright and energetic, sure to appeal to toddlers. However, the words are meant to be sung to the tune of the original song (“Santa Baby, creeping, crawling under the tree. Oh, whee!”) and don’t always scan gracefully.

CAPUCILLI, Alyssa Satin. Biscuit’s Hanukkah. illus. by Pat Schories. unpaged. HarperCollins. Oct. 2005. BD $4.99. ISBN 0-06-009469-9. LC 2004107357.

PreS-Gr 1 –Biscuit and his young owner prepare for Hanukkah by making a menorah as a gift and then admiring the lit candles in their finished product. The warm and charming illustrations are marred by a stilted text that does little to extend the pictures. This slight board book is primarily for the pup’s fans–there isn’t enough here to entertain or delight most children.

CHACONAS, Dori. Christmas Mouseling. illus. by Susan Kathleen Hartung. unpaged. CIP. Viking. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-670-05984-6. LC 2005004458.

PreS-Gr 1–On a cold December night, a mouse is born, but then the wind blows the nest apart, so mother and baby go in search of a warm home. A sheep, dove, and cow each offer a bed, for they are off “to see a king.” However, every time the mice try to settle down, their new abode is blown away by the snowy wind. Onward they go until they reach a small wooden shelter surrounded by light where they find their animal friends, an infant in a manger, and, finally, a snug resting place. Children will be drawn to the plight of the mice and will find satisfaction in the predictable ending. The text has a comforting cadence and the beautiful watercolors, featuring large snowflakes on every page, have great movement. The palette of blue, white, and deep browns expertly captures the cold of winter and the warmth of the story. A solid choice for storytime or a cozy bedtime share.

CHACONAS, Dori. When Cows Come Home for Christmas. illus. by Lynne Chapman. unpaged. CIP. Albert Whitman. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-8075-8877-6. LC 2005001747.

PreS-Gr 2 –The saga of the annual gathering of this extended cow family is presented in rhymed verse. As family members arrive from around the country and squeeze into one small house, merriment and holiday preparations ensue; unfortunately, Moosha from New York City dances a Cowpoke Polka a bit too enthusiastically and gets stuck in the floorboards. After several unsuccessful attempts to extract her from the exact location in which the Christmas tree usually stands, the group decides to decorate her instead. The detailed expressions and outfits of the characters and the overall zaniness of this large family gathering are perfectly captured by Chapman’s soft yet colorful pastel illustrations. A great choice for holiday storytimes.

CODELL, Esmé Raji. Hanukkah, Schmanukkah! illus. by LeUyen Pham. 53p. further reading. glossary. Hyperion. 2005. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7868-5179-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 2-5 –Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is all dressed up for Hanukkah, and the concept works surprisingly well, despite the goofy title and excessive use of Yiddish. On New York City’s Lower East Side in the early 1900s, Old Scroogemacher forces the workers at his waistcoat factory to work long hours for little pay, even on the last night of Hanukkah. His nephew Moshe tries to stop him, to no avail. Enter three rabbis. The Rabbi of Hanukkah Past takes Scroogemacher to the time of Judah Maccabee and the desecrated temple. The Rabbi of Hanukkah Present shows him Moshe bringing food to Scroogemacher’s own employee and holding hands with his beautiful daughter. The female Rabbi of Hanukkah Future brings the old man a terrible picture of workers striking and his nephew dying, if he doesn’t remember the past. A little remembering goes a long way in helping the protagonist become a kinder person (though it’s nothing as dramatic as Scrooge’s transformation). Illustrations have luminous, golden tones and wonderful details, both period and humorous, but a few skirt the edge of stereotype. Notes by the author and illustrator and a glossary add much to the entire package.

CONAHAN, Carolyn. The Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Dutton. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-525-47486-2. LC 2004028814.

PreS-Gr 3 –“On the first day of Christmas, my best friend gave to me a pug puppy under the tree.” Each subsequent day, there is an increase both in the number of mutts and breeds, and in the comical mayhem that ensues. The playful pooches engage in various silly activities, such as, nine dogs dancing in tutus and ten labs a-leaping high over the heads of the children. Also, this is a story-within-a-story in which two friends, a boy and a girl, are alternately presenting the dogs to a third child with the hope of becoming her best friend. All ends well as the three kids have such fun with the accumulating canines that they forget about the competition and decide to put together a circus act instead. Children will love poring over all the lively and outrageous cartoon watercolors and will enjoy discovering the golden tabby that appears on every page. This tale is best for sharing one-on-one or reading independently because of the detailed art and side story line presented in bubbles as conversation among the three friends. Sure to be popular.

COWLEY, Joy. Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s Christmas. illus. by Elizabeth Fuller. unpaged. CIP. Philomel. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-399-24344-5. LC 2004015741.

PreS-Gr 1 –Mrs. Wishy-Washy goes to town leaving her farm animals strict instructions to take their Christmas baths before she returns or risk losing their presents. Rhyming verse punctuates cheery watercolor-and-ink illustrations on single pages and full spreads. The animals decide no icy bath will do and make their way up to Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s cozy bathroom; after making a mess of it, they are “shiny as tacks from heads to toes and smelling as sweet as a new pink rose.” Upon her return home, the woman quickly recovers from her fright that burglars have broken in and offers Christmas cookies all around. A nice choice for reading aloud with artwork that will carry for group viewing.

DAY, Nancy Raines. Flamingo’s First Christmas. illus. by Fiona Robinson. unpaged. Abrams. Dec. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-8109-5765-5. LC 2004029533.

PreS-Gr 2 –When Flamingo looks across the bay and notices that Miami suddenly seems covered with lights and lots of red and green, he flies over to investigate. After trying (and failing) to take part in all the Christmas excitement by such methods as sitting on Santa’s lap and becoming an ornament in a large Christmas tree, he finds his niche during a rambunctious Nativity play. The text is wordy, the setting (except for the fact that the main character is a flamingo) is incidental to the plot, and the protagonist’s adventures aren’t very funny; any appeal is due to the energetic oil paintings depicting crowded Miami streets and the skew-legged, pencil-necked protagonist.

DEMAS, Corinne. Two Christmas Mice. illus. by Stephanie Roth. unpaged. CIP. Holiday House. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1785-9. LC 2002192231.

Gr 1-4 –This is a wordy tale of two mice who are snowed in, each alone, on Christmas Eve. It describes how they salvage their holiday upon discovering that, “Although the front doors of Annamouse’s burrow and Willamouse’s burrow were far apart in different hay fields, their parlors were actually close together.” They take down the wall to make “one big parlor with two fireplaces” and celebrate Christmas together. Roth’s energetic and appealing illustrations almost save this slight offering, but the story line is flat.

DUVAL, Kathy. The Three Bears’ Christmas. illus. by Paul Meisel. unpaged. CIP. Holiday House. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1871-5. LC 2003067646.

PreS-Gr 2– Children who already know the familiar nursery tale about the three bears will enjoy this holiday spin-off. Most readers will quickly guess that the mysterious intruder who has eaten the bears’ cookies, sat in their chairs, and slept in their beds is Santa Claus, but that won’t spoil the fun. The colorful illustrations add many charming details. Muted hues depict a snowy landscape as the characters go for an evening stroll through the woods, and the indoor scenes are filled with warm browns. This secular Christmas tale is suitable for library storytimes as well as family sharing.

EVANS, Clay Bonnyman. The Winter Witch. illus. by Robert Bender. unpaged. CIP. Holiday House. Oct. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1615-1. LC 2004054191.

K-Gr 2 –It’s Christmas, but Stephen doesn’t feel the holiday spirit; he’s in a new house in the mountains with his father, sister, and new Jewish stepmother and stepbrother. He runs out into the snow after a minor skirmish and finds the house of the local “witch,” an older woman who illustrates the true spirit of the season by asking Stephen to chop a hole in an iced-over pond and watching the wild animals come to drink. He returns home feeling more generous, loving, and understanding about his family. The illustrations are glowing and textured, with hands and faces standing out vividly against a fuzzy, richly colored background. The lesson about the true meaning of the holiday is simply too pat and glossed over, however, and Stephen’s transformation from glum to serene is unbelievable as a result.

FINE, Edith Hope. Cricket at the Manger. illus. by Winslow Pels. unpaged. CIP. Boyds Mills. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 1-56397-993-4. LC 2004029070.

Gr 1-3 –The title character in this story starts out as a grouchy grouser complaining that he cannot sleep. The star outside is too bright, the approaching crowd too noisy. “'Is there no peace?’” he asks. However, by the final scene, as the holy family kneels to pray among the beasts, he has transformed, exulting, “'All’s well. All’s well. Sing joy!’” Told in a poetic style with short repeated phrases and fun-to-say cricket speak (“GAR-RUMPH! GAR-RICKET”), this tale practically demands to be read aloud. The collage-and-pastel illustrations rendered in earth tones with blue and green accents serve the text well, with the exception of the cricket. He is a strange-looking techno-insect with metal discs for leg joints and an oversized, humanlike face reminiscent of a science-fiction alien. He seems especially out of place because all of the other characters are given traditional representation. An additional purchase.

FRAZEE, Marla. Santa Claus: The World’s Number One Toy Expert. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Harcourt. Oct. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 0-15-204970-3. LC 2004005228.

K-Gr 2– Anyone who thinks Santa is idle or frivolous in the off-season will be proven wrong by this amusing behind-the-scenes portrayal of a man who’s very much a child at heart. Dressed in high-tops, a T-shirt, and a variety of enormous shorts with patterns that suggest the passing months, Santa meticulously evaluates all kinds of toys, tests them out, and finally matches the perfect choice with each particular kid. Frazee, a master at creating scenes and moods with her energetic drawings and spare text, fills these pages with details and vignettes that readers will want to explore repeatedly. A fresh and fun look at the big guy.

FUN-TO-MAKE CRAFTS FOR CHRISTMAS. 64p. diags. photos. index. CIP. Boyds Mills. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-59078-342-5; pap. $7.95. ISBN 1-59078-367-0. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-6 –With some 150 projects, two to three per page, this slender title is big on ideas but skimpy on directions. An index (but no table of contents) helps readers find such categories as decorations, gifts, and things to wear, but the book lacks internal organization. Compressed instructions often require an adult level of proficiency and only a photo of the final product is provided; stages of construction are not illustrated, nor are patterns included. Crafters would be better served by Judy Ann Sadler’s Christmas Crafts from around the World (Kids Can, 2003) or Kathy Ross’s The Best Christmas Crafts Ever! (Lerner, 2002).

HARLEY, Bill, comp. Dear Santa: The Letters of James B. Dobbins. illus. by R. W. Alley. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-623778-5; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-623779-3. LC 2004022467.

Gr 1-3 –Jimmy Dobbins definitely has Christmas on his mind. One letter to Santa isn’t enough–he writes almost daily during the whole month of December. First he sends his wish list, then updates, reminders, and explanations for incidents that might be misconstrued and land him on the “naughty” list. After all, it isn’t easy being nice to a pesky four-year-old sister all the time. But Jimmy’s heart is in the right place. He realizes that Christmas is about giving as well as getting. His letters are written with plenty of innocent humor and accented by delightful color illustrations of his escapades. This charming depiction of youthful optimism may inspire kids to write their own letters to Santa.

HASSETT, John & Ann Hassett. The Finest Christmas Tree. illus. by authors. 31p. CIP. Houghton/A Walter Lorraine Bk. Oct. 2005. Tr $16. ISBN 0-618-50901-1. LC 2005000557.

PreS-Gr 2 –Every year, Farmer Tuttle uses the money he makes selling Christmas trees to buy his wife a new hat. When his customers suddenly choose to purchase plastic instead, he can no longer afford the present, and, by the next holiday, he is contemplating selling his tree farm. However, he receives a letter from “The Boss” requesting a tree for the factory workers’ Christmas party, and that evening a tiny crew arrives, cuts down the finest evergreen, and takes it away on a flying sleigh driven by a large, red-clad fellow. On the stump, Farmer Tuttle finds a beautiful Christmas chapeau, and this becomes a yearly tradition. The illustrations, which have a folk-art quality, are sprightly and likable, especially the depiction of the stout and rosy-cheeked farmer, his pocket bristling with candy canes. That the mysterious customer’s payment of one hat for one tree doesn’t exactly help the man make a living won’t occur to kids; the main thing is that Santa gets his tree and Mrs. Tuttle gets her gift. A sweet but slight tale.

HELMER, Marilyn. One Splendid Tree. illus. by Dianne Eastman. unpaged. photos. CIP. Kids Can. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-55337-683-8. LC C2004-907187-4.

K-Gr 2 –When their father goes away to fight during World War II, Junior, Hattie, and their mother must move to a cramped apartment in the city. There isn’t enough money for a Christmas tree, so the children decorate an old plant they find on the landing of their building with homemade ornaments like paper chains, foil stars, and yarn snowmen. Other apartment residents add their own touches, and they all end up celebrating a festive Christmas together. The illustrations, rendered in Photoshop, are rich with period details, from clothing to furniture to the canisters that sit on the kitchen counter. Faces tend to look rather stiff and doll-like, but the overall effect is warm and authentic. Instructions on making yarn snowmen are included. A pleasant, if nonessential, addition to holiday collections.

HENDRY, Diana. The Very Snowy Christmas. illus. by Jane Chapman. unpaged. Tiger Tales. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-58925-051-6. LC number unavailable.

PreS-Gr 1 –While Little Mouse is out gathering holly berries to decorate the Christmas tree, he thinks that a sudden snow flurry is the sky coming undone. Running home, he is further panicked by his own reflection in the river, his own footprints behind him, and a large snow mouse that Big Mouse has made in the front yard. Big Mouse explains the harmless nature of all these happenings, and they enjoy Christmas together. While the illustrations are cozy and bright, depicting furnishings made out of spools and a bridge made out of pencils and toothbrushes, the story is simply too slight to be of much interest even to very young children, who won’t understand how Little Mouse could be afraid of snowflakes or a reflection. Attractive but skippable.

HINES, Anna Grossnickle. Winter Lights: A Season in Poems & Quilts. illus. by author. unpaged. photos. CIP. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Oct. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-000817-2; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-000818-0. LC 2004010869.

Gr 2-5 –This combination of 16 poems and 15 quilts uses various adaptations of the log-cabin pattern design, colors, and words to emphasize the contrasts between the warmth of light and the coldness of dark during winter. The selections, which highlight holidays such as Santa Lucia, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Chinese New Year, as well as events like the winter solstice and the aurora borealis, appeal to a wide variety of ages. This is a distinguished collection that the whole family can enjoy together.

HO, HO, HO!: 150 HYSTERICAL CHRISTMAS JOKES. illus. by Tony Trimmer. 63p. (Sidesplitters Series). Kingfisher. Oct. 2005. pap. $3.95. ISBN 0-7534-5849-7. LC number unavailable.

Gr 2-4 –A grab bag full of jokes and riddles, accompanied by boldly inked illustrations. They range from the truly dumb (“What’s the best key to get for Christmas? A turkey!”) to the rather inspired (“How do chihuahuas say 'Merry Christmas’? Fleas Navidog!”). There are enough laughs here to keep kids amused well beyond the holiday season.

JACKSON, Leona Novy. The Littlest Christmas Kitten. illus. by Kelly Dupre. unpaged. CIP. Snaptail. Nov. 2005. Tr $16. ISBN 0-930643-18-9. LC 2005002384.

PreS-Gr 1 –A mother cat hunts all over a barn for her smallest kitten and finally finds it asleep in a manger just as two people enter. Before the night is over, the manger cradles a certain special infant, and cats have been telling this tale to their descendants ever since. Short explanations of such symbols as mangers and candy canes are given at the end of the book. The illustrations, which look to be woodcuts, are in an appealing primitive style, and the text is simple and unadorned. The storytelling, however, is simply not engrossing or different enough to make this tale stand out.

JOHNSTON, Tony. Noel. illus. by Cheng-Khee Chee. unpaged. CIP. Carolrhoda. 2005. PLB $15.95. ISBN 1-57505-752-2. LC 2004031102.

K-Gr 4 –All the senses are evoked in this poem about many creatures responding to the chiming of a church bell on Christmas Eve. As snow falls, animals, birds, and people parade to the church, along with a brass band. The simple, lyrical words are heightened by Chee’s watercolor pictures, which were done using a “saturated wet-paper technique.” The unique, impressionistic illustrations will make readers want to get out their mittens to keep the snow from freezing their hands. An exceptionally fine pairing of text and art.

JOSLIN, Mary. On That Christmas Night. illus. by Helen Cann. unpaged. CIP. Good Bks. Nov. 2005. Tr $16. ISBN 1-56148-494-6. LC 2005009656.

K-Gr 3 –This retelling of the Nativity story begins as Joseph looks for lodging for the night and ends with the family’s return from their flight into Egypt. The illustrations are attractive and traditional, setting the story in its proper historical time and place. The text, however, is overly long and prosaic, unsuited to most read-aloud settings. Children would be better served by one of the fine picture-book editions of the King James version.

KAIN, Karen. The Nutcracker. illus. by Rajka Kupesic. unpaged. CIP. Tundra. Oct. 2005. Tr $18.95. ISBN 0-88776-696-X. LC C2004-907139-4.

Gr 2-5 –Another Christmas, another version of The Nutcracker. Like most of today’s movies based on children’s books, Kain’s retelling bears only a passing resemblance to the original tale. It is based on the National Ballet of Canada’s production by James Kudelka and differs markedly from most American versions. Marie and her brother Misha witness the war between the toys and are taken to the Sugar Plum Fairy’s palace, where they are entertained by various dancing foods and flowers. Kupesic’s ornately detailed oil paintings have an Eastern European feel, with rich hues and gilded pages. A distinctly different presentation of a familiar story–not a necessary purchase, but certainly a handsome one.

KATZ, Alan. Where Did They Hide My Presents?: Silly Dilly Christmas Songs. illus. by David Catrow. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. Oct. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-86214-8. LC 2003006047.

Gr 2-5 –In the tradition established in Take Me Out of the Bathtub (2001) and I’m Still Here in the Bathtub (2003, both S & S), Katz and Catrow provide new interpretations of well-known songs, this time morphing Christmas favorites into snide little anthems sure to cause kids to shriek and giggle. The title number is sung to the tune of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The humor is smart-alecky, à la MAD Magazine, with requisite references to underwear and reindeer poop. Lively cartoon-style illustrations in watercolor, colored pencil, and ink accompany irreverent musings on holiday experiences such as overcrowded shopping-mall parking lots, caroling in subzero weather, and toys that won’t work because Dad forgot to get batteries. This silly offering should have no trouble finding an audience.

KNOTT, Anthony. An Angel Came to Nazareth. illus. by Maggie Kneen. unpaged. Chronicle. Nov. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-8118-4798-5. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 5 –An angel asks four animals to choose which traveler they would like to carry from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The horse picks the soldier; the camel, the wise king; the ox, the Good Samaritan; and the donkey, the humble, pregnant woman. Of course, the donkey is carrying the greatest of them all. This simple story of the first Christmas is told in somewhat awkward rhymes. The lavish watercolor-and-gouache illustrations on heavy textured paper are lovely, however, and make this book a treat for the eyes if not the ears.

KROLL, Steven. Pooch on the Loose: A Christmas Adventure. illus. by Michael Garland. unpaged. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2005. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-7614-5239-7. LC 2004027510.

K-Gr 3 –It’s Christmastime in New York City, and Bart longs to get out and enjoy the holiday bustle. While his owner, Max, struggles to get the tree into their apartment, the pup takes the opportunity to escape. After several mischievous adventures, including a ride on the Staten Island ferry and an appearance with the famed Rockettes, he returns home with renewed admiration for Max. Kroll’s use of straightforward, rhythmic language for the dog’s narration is fresh and crisp. The illustrations are stylized Photoshop collages with lots of color and texture. Elements of realism and animation blend well, giving the book a cinematic feel. Garland’s characters have terrific facial expressions, adding just the right touch of sophisticated humor. Children will relate to Bart’s desire for independence and appreciate the happy resolution.

LOVE, Maryann Cusimano. You Are My Miracle. illus. by Santomi Ichikawa. unpaged. CIP. Philomel. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-399-24037-3. LC 2004025875.

PreS-K –In this companion to You Are My I Love You (Philomel, 2001), a mother bear and her child share special activities during Christmastime. “I am your uphill pull;/you are my fast sleigh ride…I am your Santa Claus;/you are my Christmas elf.” The metaphorical rhyming text and the soft, cozy pen-and-ink watercolors complement one another. The only unfortunate inconsistency is in the last verse, which is rather awkward: “I am your hush now;/you are my lyrical./I am your peace on Earth;/you are/my miracle.” Still, like its predecessor, this is a sweet, warm, and reassuring story that could be used for holiday storytimes or for parents to read at bedtime or as a lap-sit.

MCGUIRK, Leslie. Ho, Ho, Ho, Tucker! illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. Oct. 2005. BD $7.99. ISBN 0-7636-2582-5. LC 2005920543.

PreS-K –This bright red, oversized board book features a little white terrier in full spreads and occasional vignettes. Tucker enthusiastically prepares for the holiday by making a snowman, lifting his leg on “just the right” tree, getting into ornament boxes, caroling, and, finally, burning his black nose on a hot cookie sheet. With his red nose, he joins Santa for a night of making deliveries. At the end of the evening, his nose is again black and Santa drops him off with a special present–antlers. Unfortunately, endearing Tucker and his environment shown in cheerful gouache illustrations cannot rescue this slight offering.

MAJOR, Kevin. Aunt Olga’s Christmas Postcards. illus. by Bruce Roberts. unpaged. CIP. Groundwood. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-88899-593-8. LC C2005-901275-7.

Gr 2-6 –Anna and her 95-year-old great-great aunt have a very special relationship. They love to get together every Christmas to bake gingerbread, drink tea, admire Aunt Olga’s collection of vintage postcards, and discuss poetry. Her first job was writing verse for Christmas postcards (“boring old sugary verse”), but at night she would write the poems she wanted, and they were all about Christmas. Olga remembers her brother, a soldier in a long-ago war, and shares her very first angel poem. Together, the child and her aunt make up some new verses, and the visit ends with Aunt Olga giving her precious box of postcards to Anna. Mature readers will see the writing on the postcard–Aunt Olga probably won’t be around next Christmas. A combination of genuine vintage postcards and quirky ink-and-watercolor sketches of Anna and Olga grace this bittersweet celebration of intergenerational friendship, Christmas, and creativity.

MINOR, Wendell & Florence Minor. Christmas Tree! illus. by authors. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-056034-7; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-056035-5. LC 2004022753.

PreS-Gr 2 –“What kind of tree do/you think you could be?” The suggestions range from a tiny tree made of Swiss cheese, perfect for a mouse family, to a bobbing balloon tree in a holiday parade to a tree-shaped net on a fishing boat, covered with surprised-looking fish, guarded by a hungry cat. Of course, the authors conclude, the best tree of all is the one at your house. The Minors offer a delightful treat–a simple rhyming text combined with colorful, whimsical art that can be seen quite nicely all the way to the back row of a storytime. A brief history of the Christmas tree is included. This charming read-aloud will give children the chance to use their imaginations, and maybe come up with a few ideas of their own.

MOORE, Clement Clarke. The Night Before Christmas. illus. by Lisbeth Zwerger. unpaged. Minedition. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-698-40030-5. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 2 –The words to this classic poem appear at the bottom of each left page, surrounded by plenty of white space, accompanied by a full-page illustration on the right; there are also several pictures that spread out over both pages. Zwerger’s lovely paintings have an almost surreal, dreamlike quality. Blue-gray and green tones predominate, accented by the red of St. Nicholas’s coat and hat. The coursers are lively and realistically rendered and “the right jolly old elf” is a droll and tidy little person with neat black boots and unruly strands of white hair. Although the art is somewhat subdued compared to many commercial versions, this is a fine choice for libraries needing a new edition of Moore’s poem.

NEALE, John M. Good King Wenceslas. illus. by Tim Ladwig. unpaged. score. CIP. Eerdmans. 2005. Tr $16. ISBN 0-8028-5209-2. LC 2004010237.

Gr 1-6–The well-known carol about a 10th-century Bohemian king is brought to life through Ladwig’s vibrant, realistic paintings. Lively, expressive characters inhabit the unrefined luxury of a medieval castle and a wintry semi-forested landscape. Use of white space pulls readers into the pictures to experience the action as King Wenceslas and his page take food, drink, and firewood through bitter weather to the home of a poor man. The song’s story gains relevance from the modern one embracing it. A street troubadour has an audience near a statue of the real king in the city of Prague. Among his listeners is a small boy with his scruffy dog. As the song unfolds, the boy imagines himself as the king’s pageboy with the dog joining in the adventure. At song’s end, he offers the performer a bagel and coffee, mirroring the final image of the lyric in which the page offers bread and wine to the poor man. This approach provides a unique visual bookend and gives the tale context. This lovely book is suitable for reading aloud and includes a historical note as well as the original words and music.–

NEWMAN, Lesléa. The Eight Nights of Chanukah. illus. by Elivia Savadier. unpaged. glossary. Abrams. Nov. 2005. RTE $12.95. ISBN 0-8109-5785-X. LC number unavailable.

PreS-Gr 2 –In this cheery offering, a boisterous family celebration is shown with humor and merriment through Savadier’s ink-lined watercolors. The pictures provide a lively context for Newman’s cumulative list of holiday delights. It is interesting that a book about Chanukah so deliberately and unflinchingly calls to mind “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” but this makes it a good candidate for a lively sing-along read-aloud. Lap-sitters can count a new candle in the menorah with each passing day. A one-page note provides succinct historical background, and there’s even a glossary for those who wonder what a maidel is.

PALATINI, Margie. Three French Hens. illus. by Richard Egielski. unpaged. Hyperion. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7868-5167-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 1-4 –On the third day of Christmas, a stylish Parisian feline sends her true love three French hens, two turtledoves, etc. The hens get lost en route and end up not at chez M. Philippe Renard, but in the unclaimed mail depot in New York City. Unable to find a listing in the phone book for their intended recipient, the enterprising hens (who speak with ze leetle accent) translate the name into English and travel by subway to the shabby apartment of Phil Fox of the Bronx. The down-and-out fox at first plans to eat his surprise visitors, but the helpful hens quickly take charge of the situation, help to turn his life around, and prove their worth as friends. This intercultural (and interspecies) premise provides Palatini and Egielski with vast opportunities for verbal and illustrative fun. Resplendent in saturated color and detail, with Gallic puns and a gorgeous page design, the paintings are filled with detail and humor. And the hens, who turn out to be kosher, celebrate not only the rest of the 12 days of Christmas, but also the 8 nights of Hanukkah with their new pal. C’est magnifique!

PASQUALI, Elena. Ituku’s Christmas Journey. illus. by Dubravka Kolanovic. unpaged. CIP. Good Bks. Nov. 2005. Tr $16. ISBN 1-56148-495-4. LC 2005009655.

K-Gr 2 –A giant polar bear appears in a vision to an Inuit boy, telling him that the king of heaven has been born and to go find him. Ituku packs his kayak with food and water and sets off with his faithful dog, Jaq. They travel far across the world until they come to a cove where Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus are sitting by a fire. Ituku knows instantly that this is the king of heaven. The next day, he starts his journey home, determined to tell everyone he meets to go and seek the baby. This story is improbable, even as an allegory, and the soft illustrations are stereotypical, portraying Ituku as a traditional Inuit boy in a fur-lined parka, living in an igloo.

RAUCHWERGER, Diane Levin. Dinosaur on Hanukkah. illus. by Jason Wolff. unpaged. CIP. Lerner/Kar-Ben. 2005. PLB $15.95. ISBN 1-58013-145-X; pap. $6.95. ISBN 1-58013-143-3. LC 2004014266.

PreS-Gr 3 –Inviting a dinosaur to share Hanukkah turns out to be a bad idea for many reasons. He doesn’t know that chocolate coins are likely to melt all over the place, or how to make potato pancakes without destroying the kitchen. He spills candle wax everywhere and pouts if he doesn’t win the dreidel game. Still, the unnamed narrator is a forgiving boy (whose expression changes only once in the entire story), and he invites the reptile back to celebrate Shabbat each week. Wolff’s colorful illustrations are appealing, and Rauchwerger’s rhyming text is easy enough to read. Does it extend a child’s knowledge of the holiday? No. Will it fill up three minutes in a storytime? Yes. Do oblivious toddlerlike dinosaurs belong at a Hanukkah celebration? Buy this book if you think so; otherwise, give it a pass.

ROSE, Marion. The Christmas Tree Fairy. illus. by Jason Cockcroft. unpaged. Bloomsbury. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-58234-668-2. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 3 –On Christmas night, young Meredith McCauley, who dreams of flying, discovers that the Christmas tree fairy has dropped her wand. Magically, she shrinks to fairy size and climbs her tree to return it. She meets three ornaments: a shepherd boy who wishes to see “the star,” a baby reindeer that wants to meet Santa’s reindeer, and a cracker dragon that wants to solve a riddle. When Meredith returns the wand, the fairy rewards her with three wishes. In a selfless act, the child gives them to the ornaments and later gets her wish to fly. Cockcroft’s distinguished, luminescent, and sparkling paintings make this a magical story, particularly the unique perspective showing Meredith crawling along a long high branch to reach the fairy. The text is awkwardly written, however, with stilted dialogue and confusing gaps; for instance, the answer to the dragon’s riddle is never explicitly given.

ROSS, Richard. Arctic Airlift. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Blue Fox. 2005. RTE $17. ISBN 0-9763119-0-9. LC 2004097983.

Gr 3-5 –A few days before Christmas, young Robert discovers, via his shortwave radio, that warm sea currents have damaged the Polar Ice Pack. “It’s a good thing nobody lives up here because the Pole is starting to flood,” says Captain McCain of the Arctic Airfleet, which is made up of huge zeppelins. Ah, but Robert knows better. He manages to radio McCain to remind him of a certain workshop. In true Saturday-afternoon-serial fashion, Robert uses his radio to keep the grown-ups involved in the rescue of Santa and is made “Arctic Airfleet’s Honorary Radio Field Operator.” Both story and pastel illustrations pay homage to a more innocent time. Unfortunately, the writing is somewhat stilted, and important decisions and actions take place behind the scenes, making it hard for readers to connect emotionally. The endpapers are wonderful, but close-ups of the human characters have a weird, wooden quality. Try William Joyce’s Santa Calls (HarperCollins, 1993) for a more attractive nostalgic holiday adventure.

ROX, John. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas. illus. by Bruce Whatley. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. Oct. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-052942-3; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-058549-8. LC 2003011028.

K-Gr 3 –The jacket flap explains that the words in this book were the lyrics to a 1953 song that was a nationwide hit when a 10-year-old girl in Oklahoma City sang it to raise money for the city zoo’s first hippopotamus. Whatley’s humorous paintings bring it up-to-date as a little girl writes to Santa and explains to her parents how the desperately wanted hippo will fit through the door and how she’ll keep him in their two-car garage. Think of this as an addition to children’s holiday lore in the tradition of “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.”

RYAN, Pam Muñoz. There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve. illus. by Dennis Nolan. unpaged. Hyperion. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7868-5492-8. LC number unavailable.

PreS-Gr 1 –The first Christmas Eve took place not in a cold and snowy climate, but in the arid town of Bethlehem, as the rhythmic text of this tranquil book points out. The first few pages show children playing in a dark and snowy wood, and then in contrast readers see the low-slung buildings of Bethlehem, nestled in the desert against a turquoise night sky. The serene, simple verse and luminous watercolor illustrations work seamlessly together to depict a balmy night filled with palm trees, camels, barefoot children, and a young, miraculous family. A fine choice for quiet Christmas moments.

SANTIAGO, Esmeralda. A Doll for Navi­dades. illus. by Enrique O. Sánchez. un­paged. CIP. Scholastic. Oct. 2005. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-439-55398-9. LC 2004019193.

K-Gr 3 –Seven-year-old Esmeralda wants a doll so much that she even goes to the trouble of writing to the Three Magi with her request. Her little sister also wants a baby doll, and Esmeralda grudgingly writes a letter for her as well. However, on Three Kings’ Day, Delsa gets the coveted doll, while Esmeralda ends up with a game. The Magi must have only had one doll left, her Papi explains, and they know she is a big girl who would understand better than Delsa. Santiago’s autobiographical tale is both a universal story of holiday disappointment and a rich, sensory portrait of a family celebration in Puerto Rico, filled with glorious tastes and colors and smells. Sánchez’s acrylic-on-canvas paintings add to the exotic flavor and the familiarity of the large family, though the subdued colors will make sharing with a large group difficult. A fine addition to collections in which books about Three Kings’ Day are in demand.

SAWYER, Ruth. The Wee Christmas Cabin of Carn-na-ween. illus. by Max Grafe. unpaged. glossary. Candlewick. Oct. 2005. RTE $14.99. ISBN 0-7636-2553-1. LC 2004061837.

Gr 2-4 –This story, first published in 1941 in The Long Christmas, tells the sad tale of a girl who was abandoned as a baby by a band of tinkers “a hundred years ago and more.” The woman of the house raises Oona as one of her own, but that doesn’t prevent the village people from scorning her for her tinker’s blood. Unable to marry, she spends her whole life going from house to house, caring for others in need during the Great Famine. One Christmas, old and tired, the woman seeks to die by the side of a bog, but instead the Gentle Folk give her back her youth and build her a cabin of her own, which can only be found at Christmastime by those in dire need. The lilting prose is full of the rhythm and words of the Irish language, and tragedy and magic occur as a matter of course. The illustrations, rendered in mixed media on paper, are mostly dark, as befits the grimness of Oona’s life, but become warm and welcoming when she receives her cabin. A brief note on the Great Potato Famine is included. Not for every library, perhaps, but special nonetheless.

SCHNEIDER, Antonie. Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas. tr. by Marisa Miller. illus. by Maja Dusíková. unpaged. North-South. Oct. 2005. Tr $17.95. ISBN 0-7358-1963-7. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 3 –Benjamin Bear can’t wait for Christmas. On December 1st he opens the first door on his Advent calendar, and his mother tells him a story about the picture inside. The parables star Little Bear, who on the first night sees a star with a tail. He follows it on the long journey to Bethlehem, encountering various creatures along the way, most of whom are making the same trip. Each spread is a self-contained story with a very clearly stated moral at the end. Dusíková’s delicate watercolors gleam and glow, even in the darkest spreads, and her Little Bear displays childlike wonder. Best for one-on-one or small-group sharing.

SHARKEY, Niamh. Santasaurus. illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. Oct. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-2671-6. LC 2005046927.

PreS-Gr 2 –A cover with a sparkly title, snow, and stars, à la Rainbow Fish, is the main appeal of this picture book. Momosaurus, Dadosaurus, Ollie, Molly, and Milo string popcorn, bake sugarplum cakes, wrap presents, hang paper chains, etc., in preparation for their holiday. On Christmas Eve, Milo creeps downstairs and catches Santasaurus by the tree. He accompanies the white-bearded, red-suited old dino in his sleigh pulled by dinodeer, delivering presents over Dinosaur World. “So, were all the dinosaurs happy? Yesosaurus, they were!” Oil illustrations are bright and the buildings have a candy-town appearance, but this mood piece will appeal only to the most wild-for-dinosaurs-in-any-form crowd.

SLATE, Joseph. What Star Is This? illus. by Alison Jay. unpaged. CIP. Putnam. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-399-24014-4. LC 2004004981.

PreS-Gr 1 –Short, rhyming couplets describe a comet’s journey from outer space, through constellations and past planets, to the sky above Bethlehem, where its light guides wise men and shepherds to Baby Jesus. The illustrations, rendered in Alkyd oil paint with crackling varnish, are serene and lovely; the comet’s round, beatific face is solemn with purpose and its fiery tail looks rather like flowing blond hair. It is these paintings and the novelty of seeing the Christmas story from the star’s point of view that make this book stand out slightly from the crowded field of holiday choices.

THUSWALDNER, Werner. Silent Night, Holy Night. tr. by Patricia Crampton. illus. by Robert Ingpen. unpaged. Minedition. 2005. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-698-40032-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 1-3 –In the early 19th century in Oberndorf, Austria, a combination of war and terrible weather led to poverty and deprivation among the townspeople. At Christmas, as a gift to the people, Joseph Mohr, a priest, wrote a poem and his friend Franz Xaver Gruber, an organist, set it to music, and they performed it at midnight mass. “Silent Night” was an immediate hit and spread around the world, remaining a favorite Christmas carol to this day. This story is told in a straightforward manner that won’t appeal to many children and is marred by an awkward translation. The dark illustrations, while accomplished, are not likely to attract any casual browsers. The complete verses of the song are included (in a rather difficult-to-read font) but not the music.

TRAPANI, Iza. Jingle Bells. illus. by author. unpaged. score. CIP. Charlesbridge. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 1-58089-095-4. LC 2004018945.

PreS-Gr 2 –Trapani has taken the traditional song and written additional lyrics that take the sleigh around the world, picking up children from Mexico, Sweden, the Philippines, Poland, Italy, Kenya, and the United States, all of whom are celebrating the holiday according to their country’s traditions. Unfortunately, the words don’t always scan, and they convey just a hint of the richness of the various holiday customs. The watercolor illustrations, while exuberant and appealing, border on stereotypical representations of the children, all depicted in traditional native dress. Back matter includes a sentence or two about the traditions in each country and the music with guitar chords and the extended lyrics.

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. illus. by Dan Yaccarino. unpaged. HarperFestival. Oct. 2005. BD $5.99. ISBN 0-06-073466-3. LC number unavailable.

PreS –In this sturdy board book, a page of text faces an illustration for each day. The pictures show the featured number at top and bottom, and the gifts, e.g., five gold rings surround a mouse bride against a purple background with bells and scattered flowers. The text doesn’t include the repetition of the original, making it more successful as a counting book than as a rendition of the classic song. The flat color palette does not convey a traditional sense of the season–7 swans wearing what looks like diapers and onesies instead of swimsuits float among snowflakes on a purple background, and 11 pig pipers, dressed in green tartan outfits with yellow accents, playing bagpipes. This title lacks the joy and exuberance generally associated with the song.

WATERS, Fiona, comp. The Book of Christmas. illus. by Matilda Harrison. 96p. index. Chrysalis Bks. Oct. 2005. Tr $25. ISBN 1-84365-006-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 3-6 –Forty-one poems, song lyrics, and stories are included in this handsome British import. With a broad array of both traditional and lesser-known pieces, the book offers a fine menu of choices for reading aloud. Delicate, highly detailed illustrations and decorations on every page enhance the text. Indexed by titles and authors as well as by first lines, this anthology will prove useful for most public libraries.

WEIGELT, Udo. Little Donkey’s Wish. tr. by Marianne Martens. illus. by Pirkko Vainio. unpaged. North-South. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-7358-2031-7; PLB $16.50. ISBN 0-7358-2032-5. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 2 –On Christmas Eve, four donkeys ponder what they’d most like to receive. Josie, the smallest, is too shy to speak, but when Santa comes to the door looking for a substitute for one of his reindeer, she is chosen. She does an excellent job helping to pull his sleigh, and, when Santa asks her about her Christmas wish, she answers that she has already gotten it–a flight with Santa. The story is pleasant and predictable, the real draw being the expressive paintings. Whether standing in Santa’s humble, sturdy barn or flying through the chilly blue night, little Josie keeps smiling her sweet smile. Not essential, but a charmer.

WICK, Walter. Can You See What I See?: The Night Before Christmas: Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve. illus. by author. 35p. with CD. CIP. Scholastic/Cartwheel. Oct. 2005. Tr $13.99. ISBN 0-439-76927-2. LC 2005005644.

K-Gr 2 –Wick’s familiar “I Spy” formula–rhymed text that lists objects in juxtaposed double-page illustrations, with the invitation for viewers to locate those objects–is here tied loosely to the Clement Moore poem. The poem itself is printed on the endpapers and is not referred to further except in short phrases such as “All Snug” as headings for the photographs of Christmas decorations, cookies, candies, and toys. Libraries owning copies of Wick and Jean Marzollo’s I Spy Christmas (Scholastic, 1992) can skip this one.

WILLIAMS, Jacklyn. Merry Christmas, Gus! illus. by Doug Cushman. 32p. (Read-it! Readers, Gus the Hedgehog Series). CIP. Picture Window. 2005. PLB $18.60. ISBN 1-4048-0958-9. LC 2004023316.

K-Gr 1 –Gus, waiting with his friend Bean in the long line to visit Santa, frets about whether St. Nick will remember him. They go home while Gus thinks of a plan to jog Santa’s memory and, while building a snowman, are taunted by larger, more aggressive Billy. Gus discovers a way to make himself memorable, Billy is gently reprimanded, and beginning readers are reassured that Santa never forgets anyone. Familiar conflicts, easy-to-read text, and cartoon drawings that provide context make this a mildly satisfying holiday read-alone.

WILSON, Karma. Mortimer’s Christmas Manger. illus. by Jane Chapman. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. Oct. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-85511-7. LC 2002155116.

PreS-Gr 2 –A little mouse, unhappy in his dark hole under the stairs, creeps out to find a new home. To his delight, he finds one just his size. When he discovers that its current inhabitants are just statues, he hauls them out–the shepherds, the donkey, the sheep, the little family–and takes the baby’s place in the manger filled with hay. Mortimer repeats this routine for several nights, surprised to find that the statues are replaced each day. Then one evening, he returns to the little house earlier than usual and hears the human father who lives in the big house reading the Nativity story to his children. Mortimer suddenly realizes that the baby he has been displacing is no ordinary child. He leaves the stable intact and takes up residence in a gingerbread house that is just his size. Acrylic illustrations effectively portray the Christmas decorations from the perspective of the mouse. The moral of the story is a little heavy-handed, but many families will find this a pleasant read-aloud.