December Holiday Books

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October 1, 2010

ALLUM, Margaret. Happy Christmas, Little Bear. illus. by Angela Swan. unpaged. Little Hare, dist. by Trafalgar Square. Oct. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781921541547. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1-Little Bear has too many items on his Christmas list and does not want to cull it down. When all the gifts under the tree go to his cousins, he suffers the indignity of watching the coveted skateboard, hobbyhorse, and pogo stick belong to someone else. Unsatisfied with the envelope he has gotten, Little Bear leaves it unopened and retreats under the kitchen table, coming out when his cousins need help figuring out how to play with their toys. The shared experiences are so much fun that Little Bear forgets about his own present, making his reward at the end all the sweeter. While the characters are not very expressive, the subtle touches make Little Bear's spoiled behavior easier to swallow. The illustrations also help the lesson gently unfold through the story, rather than overtly explaining the virtues of patience and sharing, or that the holiday is about more than just presents.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

BASTIANICH, Lidia. Nonna Tell Me a Story: Lidia's Christmas Kitchen. illus. by Laura Logan. unpaged. map. CIP. Running Pr. Oct. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-3692-7. LC 2010923801.
K-Gr 2-Nonni Lidia tells her five grandkids about what Christmas was like in Italy when she was a child, with a juniper bush hung with real fruit, cinnamon sticks, and cookies. She so successfully evokes the fun and the tantalizing smells that the children decide to decorate their tree the same way. Bastianich, a television chef and cookbook author, clearly bases this story on her own family and experiences, and she includes plenty of delicious, if somewhat challenging, cookie recipes. The illustrations show round-faced, beaming family members cooking, eating, and celebrating together. A cheerful depiction of the making and sharing of holiday traditions.?Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

BERLIN, Bill & Susan Isakoff Berlin. The Kvetch Who Stole Hanukkah. illus. by Peter J. Welling. unpaged. Pelican. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58980-798-3. LC 2010009435.
Gr 2-4-There's a lot to kvetch about in this tale that clearly takes its inspiration from Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Random, 1957). Although the authors have made a valiant effort to mimic the structure, rhyming patterns, and message of the classic, the story focuses too intently on the kvetch and not enough on the holiday. This kvetch has an irrational fear of the Hanukkah lights. ?He would dream of menorahs with their candles so bright/And awaken in terror, dripping in fright.? Thus he decides to ?gain control? of his fear by stealing the thing he dreads: the menorah. That's when three children appear to explain the meaning of Hanukkah. ?The lights and the gifts show our dedication/To the strength and faith of our ancient nation.? Lights, certainly. But gifts? On a brighter note, the colorful cartoon illustrations add some humor and raise the spirit of this otherwise mediocre offering. Unfortunately, by spending so much time on the inner life of the kvetch, this book misses the point that it seeks to make.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library BERLIN, Irving. White Christmas. illus. by Michael Hague. unpaged. score. CIP. HarperCollins. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-029123-5; PLB $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-029124-2. LC 2009035133.
K Up-Libraries do not need this disappointing excuse for an illustrated song book. The lyrics of the Berlin standard are illustrated with poor-quality Hague fairies in winter scenes that seem designed for the art resale market. The images are blurry and while skillfully done as one would expect, aggressively commercial and lacking in character. Plus, the paintings do not correspond to the text unless the Beverly Hills matron introduced in the opening verse used to live at the North Pole.-Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

BONWILL, Ann. Pocket's Christmas Wish. illus. by Russell Julian. unpaged. Barron's. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7641-6352-4. LC 2010922862.
PreS-Gr 1-A small bunny goes in search of the meaning of Christmas, first asking a snow angel and then following a trail of footprints to a small cottage, where some children give him a carrot. Along the way, Pocket comes across a bird singing with the joy of song, a pine tree whose soft fallen needles feel -like the comfort of home - and other gifts of the season, but it isn?t until Pocket shares his carrot with a hungry mouse that he finds what he is looking for. The full-page illustrations, depicting snowy outdoor scenes in muted cream and lavender tones, make round, brown Pocket look all the more cozy. There are too many words and not enough action to suit very young listeners, but the bunny's holiday quest has a quiet appeal for older preschoolers.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

CHRISTMAS IS HERE: WORDS FROM THE KING JAMES BIBLE. illus. by Lauren Castillo. unpaged. S & S. Oct. 2010. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0822-7. LC 2009045979.
PreS-Gr 3-The only text in this book is a few sentences from the King James Bible, and many of the ink and watercolor illustrations, in soothing tones of brown and gray with bold outlines, are wordless. They show a modern family?mom, dad, babe in arms, and dog-walking child?out for a stroll on a snowy evening, when they come across a small, outdoor Christmas pageant. As the child peers into the manger, readers are taken back in time to Bethlehem, with illustrations of sheep grazing over a dry Middle Eastern landscape as the shepherds learn of the birth of Jesus. As light from the star streams down over the holy family and shepherds leaning over the manger, the scene switches with a turn of the page back to the modern family singing carols in the snow in front of the manger. The theme?that the most basic meaning of Christmas has remained the same over the centuries?is conveyed with a warm and captivating simplicity that even the youngest child will understand.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

CLARK, Katie. Grandma Drove the Snowplow. illus. by Amy Huntington. unpaged. Down East. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-89272-851-0. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3-The redoubtable star of Grandma Drove the Garbage Truck (Down East, 2006) is back and raring to go in this rollicking holiday tale. In the winter, Grandma's garbage company turns into a snowplow service, with her sons doing the driving. But on the day of church Carol Sing, the biggest celebration in town, there's a blizzard warning, and, one by one, the young men find themselves unable to drive the snowplow. No problem. With her grandson Billy in tow, Grandma heads off to clear the roads as best they can, accidentally collecting a variety of items as they careen through the town. Of course, the path is cleared, the detritus turns out to be useful for decorating the church, Santa Claus makes an appearance, and the Carol Sing is a huge success. Huntington's cheerful watercolors reflect the action as Grandma saves the day again.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library COULOUMBIS, Audrey. Jake. 159p. CIP. Random. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85630-3; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95630-0. LC 2009029383.
Gr 3-5-When 10-year-old Jake's mom slips on ice and breaks her leg a few days before Christmas, her hospital stay necessitates a holiday visit from the boy's paternal grandfather. Jake hasn?t seen him and has barely spoken to him since Jake's dad died years earlier, and at first he is wary of Granddad and his unlikable little dog. The story of how they all come to appreciate one another is a simple one, relying on interesting characters and a young narrator who, perhaps because he has been raised among strong women, is punctilious about reporting his feelings and reactions to events, even when he doesn't really understand them. No high drama or overwrought emotions here, just some folks-and a dog-coming together as a family. Jake tells his story in a straightforward and often funny way that will resonate with young readers well beyond the holiday season.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

DEWDNEY, Anna. Llama Llama Holiday Drama. illus. by author. unpaged. Viking. Oct. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01161-2. LC 2009050255.
PreS-K-The holidays are filled with fun and excitement and a lot of things to do and make, but poor Llama Llama has to wait. Patience not being his strong suit, and completely overwhelmed by all the holiday activities, he has a complete meltdown on Christmas Eve. Fortunately, Mama Llama is there to save the day with hugs and kisses and a little quiet time. Dewdney continues to display her very real understanding of preschooler mentality. This story is as familiar as a favorite ornament (and the cover glitters). Llama fans and newcomers alike will be charmed.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

DICKMANN, Nancy. Christmas. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4329-4047-8. LC 2009054303.
Hanukkah. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4329-4052-2. LC 2010000082.
RISSMAN, Rebecca. Kwanzaa. ISBN 978-1-4329-4061-4. LC 2009052871.
ea vol: 24p. (Holidays and Festivals Series). photos. glossary. index. CIP. Heinemann. 2010. PLB $21.50.
PreS-Gr 1-Each title presents the holiday in a simple and fairly straightforward manner, focusing on basic concepts, practices, and symbols. All of them begin with a question (What is a holiday? What is a festival??) and end with a Note to Parents and Teachers, which includes topics for discussion both before and after reading. Of the three titles, Kwanzaa is the most successful and Hanukkah presents the most problems. The latter states that the celebration takes place in winter, which is often untrue since winter begins December 21 and Hanukkah (being based on the lunar calendar) is sometimes over before that date. In addition, the pictures and text make it appear that all nine candles in the menorah are lit each night. An actual explanation of the candle lighting is only found in the notes, which is an unfortunate difference from Kwanzaa, which says Each day a new candle is lit. A nice inclusion in the notes of Christmas is the suggestion that adults discuss the idea that some of the most appreciated gifts are gifts of time and love. All in all, these titles might be used successfully as long as an adult is available to discuss the main text, but as stand-alones, they are merely additional.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

DODD, Sarah J. Christmas Stories for Little Angels. illus. by Dubravka Kolanovic. unpaged. Independent Publishers Group. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-8254-7950-2. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2-This is a painfully bad retelling, in modern language, of the conception, birth, and welcoming of baby Jesus. The best story is of the annunciation?or ?Mary's surprise.? When the angel tells her that God would like her to have his child, she says she?ll have to think about it. ?Her parents might think she was bad; her friends might think she was mad; and Joseph would be so, so sad. She would have to say no. ?God would be very glad,? said the angel.? So, Mary agrees. Joseph is sad and doesn?t want to marry Mary, but another angel shows up and convinces him he will be a good dad to Mary's baby. And on it goes....All of the characters in the syrupy greeting-card-worthy illustrations look like roundheaded dolls, more like figurines than people.-Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

DONOVAN, Jane Monroe. Small, Medium & Large. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Sleeping Bear. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-58536-447-3. LC 2009042136.
PreS-Gr 2-A girl who has just moved to a new house mails a letter to Santa, and on Christmas Day her wishes appear under the tree in three appropriately sized boxes?a cat, a dog, and a miniature horse. The new friends play in the snow, make Christmas cookies, and finally snuggle in bed together after a long, wonderful day. This wordless story, told in full- and half-page illustrations, is similar in style to Alexandra Day's ?Carl? books (Farrar) in both the realistic artwork and the wish-fulfillment tale, with hardly a grown-up to be seen. It's a sure bet that this super-sweet yet cozy story will have kids adding ?a cat, a dog, and a horse?REAL ones? to their Christmas lists.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

EDWARDS, Michelle. The Hanukkah Trike. illus. by Kathryn Mitter. unpaged. Albert Whitman. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-3126-6. LC 2010006247.
PreS?Gabi celebrates the first night of Hanukkah with her parents and receives a new tricycle as a gift. When she falls off her trike (which she's named ?Hanukkah?), her mother convinces her to be brave like the Maccabees by getting back on and trying again. The first half of the book is a simple, traditional look at a young family lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, eating latkes, and recounting the Hanukkah story. Unfortunately, the second half involving Gabi and her tricycle feels a bit forced. Still, young children will enjoy her success when she and ?Hanukkah? finally take off down the block. Acrylic illustrations are straightforward and pleasant, featuring large blocks of modest colors and generally subdued action.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

EGIELSKI, Richard. Captain Sky Blue. illus. by author. unpaged. glossary. Scholastic/Michael di Capua Bks. 2010. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-545-21342-4. LC 2009932555.
PreS-Gr 1-When Jack receives a toy pilot and an airplane kit for Christmas, he plays with them all year long, until an autumn storm blows Captain Sky Blue into the ocean. After an encounter with a whale and an iceberg, Sky finds himself back in Santa's headquarters. Helping the big man pilot his sleigh through fierce weather, he is finally reunited with Jack on Christmas morning. Yes, the plot is a bit choppy (that transition from ocean floor to Santa's toy factory, for instance) and underdeveloped, but the energetic text is full of colorful pilot terminology ('spooled up? for excited), and the large pages highlight Egielski's usual clean and colorful illustrations. Not an essential purchase, but fine for kids who are wired for action.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

FARMER, Jacqueline. O Christmas Tree: Its History and Holiday Traditions. illus. by Joanne Friar. 32p. further reading. Web sites. CIP. Charlesbridge. 2010. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-238-4; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-239-1. LC 2009027788.
Gr 2-5?Beginning with the ancient Egyptians and Romans, who decorated with palm and evergreen branches at the winter solstice, readers learn about the customs and traditions through the centuries that led to the modern Christmas tree and various decorations, including popcorn, blown-glass ornaments, and electric lights, as well as trees made of feathers, plastic, and aluminum. The last section is devoted to the planting, care, and harvesting of trees. Friar's gouache illustrations have plenty of detail, but are a little awkward in scale. In all, an interesting look at a very specific part of the Christmas celebration.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS: A CHANGING-PICTURE BOOK. illus. by Sophy Williams. unpaged. Candlewick/Templar. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5013-1. LC number unavailable.
K Up?This lovely presentation of the Nativity story includes four ?changing-pictures,? which are created by overlaying two images divided into vertical slats. In this case, the images change when a flap is opened. Williams's pastel illustrations are both luminous and child-centric, conveying a sense of mystery, awe, and gentle humor. One of the strengths is the work of the unnamed adaptor, who tells the story in an accessible voice. While many toy-movable books aren?t appropriate for a library setting, this one is sturdier than most, and could be used in a religious holiday program.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

FREEDMAN, Claire. Ten Christmas Wishes. illus. by Gail Yerrill. unpaged. Good Bks. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-56148-698-4. LC 2010004915.
PreS-Gr 2-In this rhyming counting book, text accompanies full-spread illustrations of woodland animals as they make wishes on the stars in the evening sky. The reflective stars shine when the book is held at a certain angle. Mouse makes the first wish, followed by Rabbit, Squirrel, Hedgehog, Bear, and Badger. The tale ends with ?Ten Christmas stars are shining bright,/The last star is for you,/So close your eyes and make a wish,/May all your dreams come true!? A simple, sweet addition for counting collections.-Diane Olivo-Posner, Los Angeles Public Library

GONYEA, Mark. A Wish for Elves. illus. by author. unpaged. Holt. Oct. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8814-4. LC 2009030624.
PreS-Gr 2-Gonyea, a graphic designer, tries his hand at a very simple Christmas story?with mixed success. The simplified comic layout and the nearly wordless text show what happens when a boy wishes he had elves to help with his Christmas chores. All too soon, his ?Woo Hoo!? reaction turns to ?Oh no!? as the elves cause more trouble than they?re worth and prove to be hard to get rid of. In the meantime, Santa is overworked, trying to get Christmas under control, and wishes he had his elves back. Vibrant, modern blocks of flat red, green, yellow, black, and white are at times visually compelling but more often, confusingly cluttered.-Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

GROOM, Juliet. Silent Night. illus. by Tim Warnes. unpaged. Good Bks. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-56148-697-7. LC 2010004919.
PreS-Gr 1-In this variation on the classic carol, a mother bear and her cub enjoy the wonders of nature. They encounter other woodland animals living in harmony or peacefully slumbering. The soft-focus artwork is large and appealing, but the verse is clunky and the light, silvery font is difficult to read. The most striking spread shows the bears looking up into the aurora borealis, with the deep blues and florescent green/yellows evoking warmth and awe, or as the last sentence of the books says (if you can read it), ?Hope for our beautiful world.?-Diane Olivo-Posner, Los Angeles Public Library

HALE, Nathan. The Twelve Bots of Christmas. illus. by author. unpaged. Walker. Oct. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2237-9. LC 2010009541.
K-Gr 3-In Hale's steampunkish version of the famous song, Robo-Santa is a jolly old bot, shaped a bit like an old-fashioned fire hydrant. His gifts, ranging from ?a Cartridge in a Gear Tree? to ?Twelve Beat Bots thumping,? are definitely more interesting to modern kids than partridges and drummers, while five golden rings have been replaced by ?five BOT-TO-RIES? (definitely more useful to and coveted by the electronic crowd). The brightly colored digital artwork pays subtle homage to everything from Star Wars to Dr. Who and rewards careful study with fun details. Not a necessary purchase, but one that will be appreciated by budding robot fans.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

HARRIS, Jim. The Dinosaur's Night Before Christmas. illus. by author. unpaged. Pelican. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781589808508. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2-A dad who has stayed up late to assemble his son's toys is surprised on Christmas Eve by eight fierce, flying dinosaurs pulling a sleigh and a Santa-suit-clad T. rex that promptly eats him. In its stomach, the man finds Santa in red long underwear, who relates a sad tale of a dinosaur-cloning experiment gone wrong. Some impromptu bubble-gum chewing gets the two expelled from the T. rex's stomach, and some fancy work with a toy ray gun renders the reptiles harmless. Although the cartoon illustrations have playful child appeal, the rhyming text (modeled after Moore's famous poem) is overlong and as clunky and lumpy as Harris's dinosaurs. And though young readers are willing to suspend disbelief, especially around Christmastime, the plot stretches credulity too far. For better dinosaur-tinged treatments of Moore's poem, try Janet Lawler's Tyrannoclaus (HarperCollins, 2009) or Anne Muecke's Dinosaurs? Night Before Christmas (Chronicle, 2008).-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

HARTMAN, Bob. Stories from the Stable. illus. by Brett Hudson. 128p. Independent Publishers Group. Nov. 2010. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7459-6109-5. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3-Part one, ?The Noisy Stable,? includes 11 retellings of Nativity-related stories while the second part consists of 9 short stories and legends from around the world. The language is simple and colloquial, making this a good choice for new readers, but the stories will also work as read-alouds for younger children. The pen-and-ink cartoons scattered throughout the book are unaccomplished at best (is that a camel or a very fat deer?). Pleasant but altogether forgettable.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

HILLS, Tad. Duck & Goose: It's Time for Christmas. illus. by author. unpaged. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. 2010. BD $6.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86484-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K-The adorable Duck and Goose are back. Decked out in brightly colored wooly caps, the intrepid Goose tries his hand (well, wing) at all kinds of winter activities?catching snowflakes, sledding, making snow angels and elaborate snow geese and snow forts?while Duck tries to keep him focused on what really matters. Because, of course, it is really time for Christmas, which is represented by the birds decorating a tree. It seems a little sad that Duck is such a killjoy, stopping Goose from enjoying his winter fun, but that's a minor quibble. And the cover glitters! Cheery holiday fare for pre-readers.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

HOFFMAN, E.T.A. & retold by AnnMarie Anderson. The Nutcracker. illus. by Alison Jay. unpaged. Dial. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3285-8. LC 2009051657.
K-Gr 3-Jay bases the illustrations for this classic tale on the Balanchine ballet. The smooth and somewhat abbreviated retelling is suitable for reading aloud, and the art created using oil paint on paper with crackling varnish evokes the ballet without being literal restagings. The cover depicts a snow globe with Clara and the prince being pulled in a sleigh through the Land of Snow, but that motif is not reflected in the interior illustrations. Most libraries have many versions of The Nutcracker in their collections; this one is handsome and acceptable if more editions are needed.?Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies

HUGHES, Shirley. The Christmas Eve Ghost. illus. by author. unpaged. notes. Candlewick. 2010. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4472-7. LC 2009051506.
K-Gr 3-The author/illustrator draws on her memories of 1930s Liverpool to tell this story of a widow and her two children struggling to make ends meet. When the youngsters are left alone while the mother runs an errand on Christmas Eve, they are frightened by ghostly noises coming from the other side of the wall. They have been warned to stay away from the neighbors, the O?Rileys, who go to a church for a ?different kind of people, not their kind.? Mrs. O?Riley turns out to be an understanding, nurturing adult who takes the siblings in and reveals the source of the noise. American children may not understand the source of the initial religious intolerance. However, Hughes's old-fashioned illustrations are the draw here, and many will find this to be a satisfying family read-aloud.?Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies

ISADORA, Rachel, retel. 12 Days of Christmas. illus. by reteller. unpaged. map. notes. Putnam. Oct. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25073-6. LC number unavailable. PreS Up?The familiar holiday tune gets a fresh presentation, with Isadora's signature style and verve. The book is set up as a rebus, which means even pre-readers will be able to figure out what's going on. Despite its very European pedigree, the song lends itself well to an African setting. The ?five golden rings? refer to the rings worn around the necks of women in South Africa, the ?lords a-leaping? come from Mali, and the ?ladies dancing? come from Swaziland. The illustrations, done in oil paint, printed paper, and palette paper, are fabulous. This altogether pleasing package is great for a storytime presentation or one-on-one sharing.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

JENNINGS, Sharon. A Chanukah Noel: A True Story. illus. by Gillain Newland. unpaged. CIP. Second Story, dist. by Orca. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-897187-74-6. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2-When Charlotte and her parents move across the ocean to France, she finds it hard to adjust to life in a small village, especially when Colette teases her about her bad French. At Christmastime, Charlotte is jealous of all the village activities?her family is Jewish and is lighting a menorah for Chanukah'so when she learns that Colette is very poor, she convinces her parents to give Colette's family a tree and other Christmas trappings, thus spreading and sharing the joy of the season. This quiet and charming slice of life, which assumes a basic knowledge of both holidays, shares enough details (chocolate on a baguette as a school snack) to give readers a flavor of Charlotte's new life. The attractive, realistic paintings depict a timeless French village?this story might take place now or several decades ago. A fine cross-cultural choice for larger collections.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

KIMMEL, Eric A., retel. The Spider's Gift: A Ukrainian Christmas Story. illus. by Katya Krenina. unpaged. notes. Holiday House. 2010. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1743-8. LC 2004054162.
K-Gr 3-In a traditional story well suited to the economic downturn, Katrusya protests when her parents say they are too poor to have Christmas this year. After a family meeting, they decide to get a tree from the forest, make presents, and create a celebration without spending much money. Katrusya ventures out with her grandfather and picks a tree that seems special to her. They decorate it with buttons and handmade ornaments, but the peace is shattered when her mother discovers the tree is full of baby spiders. Katrusya pleads to keep it and the harmless spiders rather than throw them out into the freezing night. After the family returns from church on Christmas Eve, they find that the spiders? webs have turned to silver, the buttons to gold, and jewels adorn the handmade ornaments. Katrusya declares they should share their bounty with the villagers and they do. The warm acrylic illustrations add to the folkloric feel of this charming, well-told tale.-Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

KLADSTRUP, Kristin. A Night in Santa's Great Big Bag. illus. by Tim Jessell. 32p. Viking. Oct. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01165-0. LC 2009049440.
Gr 1-3-After Louis tells his favorite toy, Lamb, about Santa's bag of goodies, the stuffed animal sneaks downstairs on Christmas Eve to get a peek?and accidentally ends up in the big man's sack. Lamb chats and plays with all the other toys and tells them what to expect from their new owners, and it isn?t until he is alone that he worries that he might end up with someone other than Louis. Lamb is a good-hearted protagonist, and the colorful, festive illustrations give this rather pedestrian tale a bit of saving charm.-Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library

LESTER, Helen. Tacky's Christmas. illus. by Lynn Munsinger. unpaged. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-17208-8. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3-When Christmas comes to the Nice Icy Land, so do hunters. But thanks to Tacky and his penguin crew, holiday antics ensue. Because there are no trees to be had, Tacky's friends decide to decorate him as a Christmas tree (over his Santa outfit). The hunters mistake him for 'sandy Clawz,? whom they revere, and think that his friends are elves. There's nothing to do but enjoy a convivial evening of fish pudding, songs, and games. Munsinger's signature illustrations continue to delight. And with a CD and a songbook of Tacky's carols included, fans of the series will not be disappointed.-Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

LEWIS, J. Patrick & Beth Zappitello. First Dog's White House Christmas. illus. by Tim Bowers. unpaged. Sleeping Bear. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-58536-503-6. LC 2010011854.
PreS-Gr 1-Having altered the official invitation to the Christmas Gala in order to ensure that his counterparts from all over the world will attend, the canine star of First Dog (Sleeping Bear, 2009) greets his guests. He shows them the White House, and learns about Christmas traditions and legends from Australia to Turkey to Mexico. The effect is didactic, as one pup after another reels off a little speech, but the tone is upbeat and the illustrations are charming, if a tad stiff. The best scenes involve the pooch's daily life romping about the White House. ?Dog,? a Portuguese water dog, is clearly meant to be Bo, and readers occasionally see the legs of the First Family and an arm that they can surmise to be the First Lady's shooing him away from her vegetable garden.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

LIGHT, Steve. The Christmas Giant. illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. 2010. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4692-9. LC 2009049101.
Gr 1-4-Humphrey (a giant) and Leetree (an elf) create Christmas wrapping paper for the North Pole toy makers. It's a job they love, but once the work is done for the year they are sad. Santa, noticing their dismay, gives them a special assignment?to grow the holiday tree for Christmastown. This job has its hazards?as the friends are delivering the tree, it floats away on an iceberg?but all ends satisfactorily. The pen, ink, and pastel artwork is truly lovely. Muted colors and swirly lines evoke old-fashioned folk art while retaining a fresh cartoon whimsy. A number of pages feature panels of wordless illustrations that convey the passage of time without being too busy. The story itself is sweet and economically told, capturing not only the spirit of Christmas, but also of friendship, persistence, and resourcefulness.-Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library

MCCULLOUGH, David. In the Dark Streets Shineth: A 1941 Christmas Eve Story. unpaged. w/DVD. photos. Shadow Mountain. Oct. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-60641-831-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6?This is partly an account of the 1941 Christmas Eve addresses to the nation by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill from the White House; partly a short history of two songs ("Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas"); and partly a photo album of Americans at Christmastime during World War II. Because of this scattered approach, the purpose is a bit unclear; the subtitle suggests that the focus is that famous 1941 Christmas Eve address, but the first line of the book, ?Music is a part of our history,? leads readers to expect a greater emphasis on that subject. McCullough doesn?t do justice to either topic and the random selection of period photos fails to shed any additional light. The book is handsome, and the full texts of Churchill's and Roosevelt's speeches are included, which is a bonus. However, this isn?t particularly successful as either a Christmas book or an account of an important moment in history.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

MCGINLEY, Phyllis. The Year Without a Santa Claus. illus. by John Manders. unpaged. Marshall Cavendish. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5799-2. LC 2009043643.
K-Gr 3-This new version of McGinley's poem, originally published in 1957, is illustrated with gouache and pencil cartoon artwork that highlights the humor in the text. Santa decides to take a vacation, his first in a thousand years. When the children of the world get the news, most give way to tears. Not Ignatius Thistlewhite, however. He organizes a movement to send gifts to Santa, who is so moved by this response that he gives up his plans and gets back on the sleigh. While the story is a tad long for most storytimes, it nonetheless begs to be shared aloud.-Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies

MELMED, Laura Krauss. Eight Winter Nights: A Family Hanukkah Book. illus. by Elisabeth Schlossberg. unpaged. appendix. CIP. Chronicle. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-5552-5. LC 2009019574.
PreS-Gr 1-A family's preparations for and celebration of Hanukkah are described in short, informal verse, from the two-line ?Third Night? (?At our window we will show/How warmly our three candles glow) to the bouncy, eight-line poem celebrating a favorite latke go-with (?Applesauce, applesauce on your nose./Applesauce, applesauce on your toes??). Pencil and pastel cartoon-style illustrations depict a smiling extended family talking, eating, and playing together amid warm glowing colors and the symbols of the holiday. A short description and history of Hanukkah are appended. A pleasant if nonessential addition to the holiday shelf.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

MILGRIM, David. Santa Duck and His Merry Helpers. illus. by author. unpaged. Pyne. Oct. 2010. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25473-4. LC 2009047517. PreS-Gr 1-Nicholas Duck, star of Santa Duck (Putnam, 2008), is excited at the prospect of his second Christmas collecting wish lists for Santa. Unfortunately, his three enthusiastic siblings want to help. When they keep promising increasingly fabulous and unreasonable presents, Nicholas irritably explains that Christmas is not just about gifts, but also about love and kindness and goodwill. The little ducks ask if that means letting little siblings ?help Santa even if you think you?re some kind of important big shot?? Er?yes, it does, and it turns out to be a fine Christmas after all. Both younger and older siblings will delight in the simple, goofy humor and appealing cartoon illustrations of Nicholas and his brothers and sister, the youngest a yellow duckling in a diaper. Put this title at the top of your Christmas list.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

MOORE,Clement C. The Night Before Christmas. w/CD. illus. by Eric Puybaret. unpaged. notes. Imagine! 2010. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-936140-06-0. LC 2010001400.
PreS-Gr 3-The traditional Christmas poem is accompanied by lush acrylic paintings that use deep reds, greens, and blues to create a magical, yet cozy, setting for Santa's visit. Every detail, from the flowing capes on the reindeer to the comfy furnishings to the enchanting ornaments on the Christmas tree, evokes a feeling of serenity and anticipation. The book includes a CD with three tracks: a low-key lyrical rendition of the poem by Noel Paul Stookey, a reading of the poem by Mary Travis with musical accompaniment, and a recording of A'soalin'? by Peter, Paul, and Mary.?Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

MOORE, Clement C. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. illus. by Kat Whelan. unpaged. Tiger Tales. 2010. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-58925-858-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1-The illustrations in this version of the celebrated poem will appeal to young children; the narrator, his family, and Santa are all adorable, large-eared mice. One spread shows a cutaway view of a small house, mice snug under colorful quilts, and a Christmas tree twinkling downstairs by the fire. The emphasis is on cozy and cute, jazzed up with judicious sprinklings of glitter on each sturdy page. An excellent version for the youngest set.?Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

MOORE, Clement Clarke. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. illus. by Christopher Wormell. unpaged. Running Pr. Kids. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-2717-8. LC 2010924429.
PreS-Gr 2-The Christmas poem gets a bold yet classic new look with Wormell's stunning linoleum-block print illustrations. For the most part, the text, in fanciful font, is on the verso and a print, often outlined in black and drenched in deep blues, reds, and blacks, is on the right; there are also several spreads. The effect is somewhat retro, evoking magazine illustrations from the ?20s and ?30s, yet also modern in its impeccable design. Children and adults alike will appreciate this stylish version.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

MYRON, Vicki & Brett Witter. Dewey's Christmas at the Library. illus. by Steve James. unpaged. Little, Brown. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-06872-7. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3-It's Dewey's first Christmas. The library cat has no idea what he's in for, but he sure loves all those decorations and fake tree branches. Inspired by a true story, Dewey's antics are portrayed with authentic liveliness in James's digitally painted artwork, which looks like watercolor and ink. This well-paced, engaging story is a standout among picture books featuring library settings, and it is sure to enhance holiday-themed programs.-Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library

OSBOURNE, Mary Pope. A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time. Bk. 44. illus. by Sal Murdocca. 128p. (Magic Tree House Series/A Merlin Mission). CIP. Random. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85652-5; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95652-2. LC 2009046171.
Gr 2-4-During another ?Merlin Mission,? Jack and Annie are sent back in time to Victorian England, where Charles Dickens is suffering from writer's angst and has vowed not to pen another book. After posing as chimney sweeps in order to gain entry to his house, the two children use magic to conjure up the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future in order to convince Dickens of the value of his work and to inspire him to write A Christmas Carol. Fans of the series won?t be disappointed in this tale, which nicely combines action, atmosphere, magic, and bits of humor in a stepping-stone format.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

PULVER, Robin. Christmas Kitten: Home at Last. illus. by Layne Johnson. unpaged. Albert Whitman. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-1157-2. LC 2009048123.
Gr 1-3-After his annual trip around the world, Santa comes home with a lost kitten he's found along the way. Will Mrs. Claus let him keep Cookie? She might - if only Santa weren't so allergic. Santa is willing to part with the kitten, but only if the perfect home can be found. Johnson's oil paintings are rich with detail and expression, giving life to Cookie and all the North Pole denizens. The artist's careful attention to light and shadow, along with the use of bold primary colors, gives the book a perfect blend of warmth and exuberance. This is a sweet, fun read-aloud for the cat-loving crowd.-Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library

RAWLINSON, Julia. Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas. illus. by Tiphanie Beeke. unpaged. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199033-5. LC 2009042526.
PreS-Gr 2-The charm of Fletcher and the Falling Leaves (2006) and Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms (2009, both Greenwillow) is again captured in this holiday tale. On Christmas Eve, Fletcher the fox and his animal friends want to make sure that Santa Claus finds the rabbit family's new home. They lay sticks on the ground, making a path to the burrow, but when a snowfall covers everything, Fletcher switches to plan B. The animals decide to stay up all night to tell Santa where the rabbits have moved. Naturally, they all fall asleep; but, no worries, Santa finds his way and the rabbits invite them all inside for a Merry Christmas. Colorful warm pastel illustrations fill each page and evoke the spirit of the season.-Diane Olivo-Posner, Los Angeles Public Library

REES, Douglas. Jeannette Claus Saves Christmas. illus. by Olivier Latyk. unpaged. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. Oct. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-2686-3. LC 2008023021.
PreS-Gr 2-Poor Santa has a terrible cold, and his daughter, a self-possessed young lady in a red polka-dot skirt, green tights, and black boots, decides that she will take over. Santa tells her the secret to getting the reindeer to fly but warns her to keep their harness tight, because they hate hauling the sleigh and will escape if they can. At first everything goes well, but sure enough, the harness loosens, and the reindeer fly off, stranding Jeannette on a roof. Not to worry. A chance encounter with a few homeless dogs and cats sparks her imagination, and before you can say 'suffering snowballs,? she's got them harnessed to the sleigh, and her delivery schedule back on track. Latyk's digitally rendered illustrations have a slightly retro feel, reminiscent of the work of J. Otto Siebold. A fun holiday read-aloud with a resourceful young heroine.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

ROBINSON, Sharon. Jackie's Gift: A True Story of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Jackie Robinson. illus. by E.B. Lewis. unpaged. notes. Viking. Oct. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01162-9. LC 2009048435.
K-Gr 3-Jackie Robinson's daughter tells a story that takes place during the family's first Christmas in Brooklyn. Not everyone was happy to see a black family move in to the neighborhood. Young Steve Satlow, an avid Dodger fan, and his parents are exceptions; they welcome the Robinsons and become friends. On Christmas Eve, Steve is helping the Robinsons decorate their tree when Jackie learns that the Satlows don?t have one. He shows up at their home with a tree for Steve, and his wife comes later with extra ornaments. They then learn that the Satlows are Jewish. What could have been an awkward moment becomes a lesson in tolerance and friendship. Lewis's lovely paintings do a fine job of conveying the time and place in this heartwarming story.-Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies

SACRE, Antonio. La Noche Buena: A Christmas Story. illus. by Angela Dominguez. unpaged. glossary. Abrams. Nov. 2010. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8967-2. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2'sprinkled with Spanish words, this book introduces readers to the preparations for a Cuban-American family's Christmas Eve feast. Nina goes to visit her paternal grandmother in Miami's Little Havana (?It's my dad's turn to have me, and he wants me to see how the Cuban side of my family celebrates the holidays?) even though she would rather be up north with her mother and ?lots of snow!? Her father has told her that La Noche Buena is the best night of the year in many Cuban homes. For three days Nina helps her abuela as the women in the family prepare the marinade for the roast pig. When the big night finally arrives, the girl experiences all the joys of eating a magnificent meal with her family, attending Misa del Gallo (midnight mass), and then celebrating with music and dancing. A glossary of Spanish words and phrases is included. Though flat at times, the acrylic illustrations have colorful hues to fill each page with scenes of Nina's adventures. A warm bit of holiday diversity.-Diane Olivo-Posner, Los Angeles Public Library

SCHULMAN, Janet. 10 Trim-the-Tree?ers: A Holiday Counting Book. illus. by Linda Davick. unpaged. Knopf. 2010. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86658-6. LC 2009017496.
PreS-K-The kids from 10 Trick-or-Treaters (Knopf, 2005) are ready to trim a tree in their building's lobby. The youngsters dress for the occasion; each roundheaded child is adorned with a halo, antlers, or red-and-white stripes, placing corresponding ornaments on the tree (three little angels, five reindeer, eight candy canes). Nine menorah candles ?mark the gift of light? on the mantle, and they all go caroling when their job is done. A one-page summary of the ornaments and appropriate numerals appear at the end, prompting beginning counters to turn back the pages and count some more.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

SCHULZ, Charles M. & Megan E. Bryant, adapt. A Charlie Brown Christmas. illus. by author. unpaged. Running Pr. Kids. Oct. 2010. Tr $22.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-4004-7. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 4-Back in the day, it wasn?t Christmas until "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was shown on TV. This pop-up adaptation follows the original pretty faithfully. The illustrations are fine, and the pop-up and movable elements are simple. Still, it somehow lacks the charm of the television production?possibly because it doesn?t include the voices of the child actors who embodied each character so perfectly. While it's sturdier in construction than many of the elaborate pop-up titles that have been released in recent years, it's still too fragile for repeated usage.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

SHANNON, David. It's Christmas, David! illus. by author. unpaged. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-14311-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1-Christmas gives more opportunities to admonish the irrepressible David in this familiar story that nonetheless feels fresh with the added holiday trappings. Temptations abound as the beloved rascal attempts to track down hidden presents, snitches cookies, presents his lengthy wish list to Santa, and stays up late with his face pressed up against the window on Christmas Eve. Cheekier moments include a recurring scene from the first book of David heading for the horizon clad only in a winter hat, mittens, and boots, and his name written in telltale yellow letters in the snow. Emotions are easily conveyed, from David's hyper anticipation, to his very real fear that maybe his behavior makes him unworthy of Santa's attention, to the comforting and blissful endpage.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

SLEGERS, Liesbet. The Child in the Manger. tr from Dutch. illus. by author. unpaged. Clavis. Oct. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-60537-084-2. LC number unavailable.
PreS?This is a short version of the Nativity story, told in simple language that very young children can understand. They hugged and kissed their little baby. And they covered him with straw to keep him warm. The cheerful, colorful paintings, rendered in primary colors with bold outlines, feature childlike animals and smiley-faced Biblical people. This is a fine choice for sharing with toddlers and preschoolers one-on-one, as well as in a religious preschool storytime.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

SMITH, Maggie. Christmas with the Mousekins: A Story with Crafts, Recipes, Poems, and More! illus. by author. unpaged. Knopf. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-83330-4; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-93330-1. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3-?Twas two weeks before Christmas and Mama, Papa, Mimi, Momo, and Baby Mousekin busily prepare for the holiday by selecting a tree, writing letters to Santa, baking cookies, caroling, and other traditional activities. The bustle of the season is captured in this sampler format, which includes crafts, recipes, poems, and Nana Mousekin's Christmas Eve story. The colorful, cozy artwork is filled with intricate detail that will appeal to the very young. The crafts, many of which require tracing of small patterns and recipes that involve baking, are geared for older children. Best for parent or teacher use with small groups.-Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

STALDER, P'vi. Advent Elf. illus. by Barbara Korthues. unpaged. NorthSouth. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-2335-8. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3'six-year-old Paul rescues an elf who has been sent to watch over him during Advent. Arty is accident prone, being an elf-in-training, and needs to return to the Advent wreath to get home. The child helps him avoid the family cat, and all ends well. The charming illustrations are full of color and action, but the pedestrian story is slight and not very exciting.-Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

TRUEIT, Trudi Strain. Christmas. ISBN 978-0-7614-4885-3. LC 2009019058.
- . Hanukkah. ISBN 978-0-7614-4884-6. LC 2009019068.
- . Kwanzaa. ISBN 978-0-7614-4887-7. LC 2009019098.
ea vol: 24p. (Benchmark Rebus: Holiday Fun Series). photos. further reading. glossary. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2010. PLB $15.95.
PreS-Gr 1-Each book begins with a list of ?Picture Words? related to the holiday, followed by a simple text combined with pictures to describe how people celebrate. Repetition of action words makes these books somewhat useful for beginning readers, e.g., We hang the [lights]. We hang the [stockings].? However, as with many books for this audience, there is very little explanation of what these holidays are about aside from a minimal definition in the glossary. It is also notable that in Hanukkah, no mention is made of the oil that is central to the holiday. Large, clear photographs face each page of text. Aside from the appeal of the rebus format, these titles are merely additional.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

VELASQUEZ, Eric. Grandma's Gift. illus. by author. unpaged. Walker. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2082-5. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3-This companion to Grandma's Records (Walker, 2001) is another memoir of Velasquez's boyhood visits with his grandmother in Spanish Harlem. This time it is Christmas. After helping to shop for ingredients and make her famous pasteles, Eric and his grandmother venture from El Barrio to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The boy has a school assignment to complete and together they discover the work of Diego Velaquez, including the famous portrait of Juan de Pareja. The woman nurtures the boy's fascination with painting by giving him art supplies for Christmas. This beautifully illustrated slice-of-life is sprinkled with Spanish phrases (all translated into English) and rich details about Puerto Rican traditions and culture. Velasquez's full-bleed paintings transport readers to another time and place and expertly capture the characters? personalities and emotions. A gift, indeed.-Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies

WASHINGTON, Donna L. Li'l Rabbit's Kwanzaa. illus. by Shane W. Evans. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. Oct. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-06-072816-8. LC 2009031233.
K-Gr 1-Feeling too small to be of any use, Li'l Rabbit leaves the house to find something special for his sick grandmother during Karamu, a Kwanzaa feast. Each animal he encounters (Momma Oriole, Groundhog, frogs, etc.) has been on the receiving end of Granna Rabbit's generosity in the past and wants to help in some way. Without realizing it, Li'l Rabbit brings together a whole community for the ?the best Karamu ever.? The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are listed at the end of the book, providing the only direct details about the holiday. The yellow undertones (like the interior of the Rabbit family's earthy, mustard-colored home) add warmth to the cartoon artwork. Sweetly capturing the spirit of the season, the story comes in handy as a lovely supplement to resources that provide straightforward facts about Kwanzaa.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

WINTERS, Kay. Who's Coming for Christmas?: A Holly Jolly Lift-the-Flap Book. illus. by Jeannie Winston. unpaged. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-547-25827-0. LC 2009036676.
PreS-A successful lift-the-flap book is one in which the revelations behind the flaps make sense. Unfortunately, this title is lacking in that regard. The question on each spread is Who's that and when you lift the flap, you might see children building a snowman with the caption hearing church bells ring or 'stopping by to sing. Toward the end, all of the answers seem to be 'santa Claus. Colorfully wrapped gifts appear on the flaps, and the cast is multicultural, including a few green beings who might be elves or aliens?. Again, it's really hard to tell. This isn?t one of Winters's most successful outings, even with the glittery title on the cover.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

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