Picture Book Monday with a review of The Christmas Eve Tree

Christmas is less than a week away, and people all over the world are putting up and decorating their Christmas trees. There is something magical about seeing a tree, decorated with tinsel and ornaments, its lights shining in the darkness. Today's picture book is about a Christmas tree that ends up lightning up Christmas for those who need the light the most.

The Christmas Eve Tree

Delia Huddy

Illustrated by Emily Sutton

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Candlewick Press, 2015, 978-0-7636-7917-0

Years ago a grove of Christmas trees was planted. One of the little fir trees was blown sideways into its neighbor by the wind and did not grow properly. When the trees were harvested the little fir tree, which was “stunted” and “tangled with its neighbor” was taken to the big city. The other trees were bought and placed in a cathedral, in the middle of a square, on the stage “at a grand Christmas ball,” and in private homes where children and their families decorated them for the festive season. The little fir tree and its bigger partner ended up in a store. On Christmas Eve the big tree was bought and taken away and the little fir tree was now all alone.

   A poor boy came into the shop to warm up and he asked a store clerk, who was about to throw away the little tree, if he could have it. The clerk “handed it over,” and some time later the boy, with the tree ‘planted’ in a cardboard box full of beach mud, was sitting under the arch of a railway bridge, in the large cardboard box that served as his home. With a coin that a passerby dropped in his hat the boy bought some candles and matches and he decorated the little tree with the candles, creating a little pool of Christmas spirit in a rather bleak place.

   The boy was joined by other homeless people and a tree performer and soon they were all sharing Christmas songs, which drew more and more people to the little tree. Though the tree’s surroundings were very humble, it felt as if it would “burst with happiness” because for a while the hard circumstances of the boy’s life did not matter. For a while the tree gave the boy and many other people joy.

   In this beautiful picture book readers will find a story that is sure to become a firm favorite with readers of all ages. This is the kind of book that families will keep on their shelf and bring out every holiday season to share and enjoy.

Five days of Seasonal and Holiday book giveaways - Day Five

For the last day of the five days of seasonal and holiday book giveaways, I have a title that is sure to make readers of all ages smile. If you would like to enter this giveaway please send me an email. 

Santa’s Eleven Months Off

Mike Reiss

Illustrated by Michael D. Montgomery

Picture Book

Ages 5 to 7

Peachtree Publishers, 2007, 1-56145-421-4

   We all know that from December first until Christmas Santa Claus works “his rear off” making sure that every good girl and good boy in the world gets their due on Christmas Day. Not surprisingly, the good man is pretty worn out after all this hard work, and for the rest of the year he takes a good rest. Mind you, this does not mean he does nothing for eleven months. Dear me no!

   In January he goes on an exercise binge, presumably to make up for all that fruitcake and eggnog he consumed the month before. Thankfully this state of affairs does not last too long, and in February he goes to Hollywood from some sunshine and fun. For a complete change of scene he visits Japan in May to participate in some sumo wrestling. Needless to say he wins “each match – no draws.”

   Then in June there are the Summer Reindeer Games to attend, and in July Santa is a super-spy. In September he, as usual, goes back to school. He is such a conscientious fellow you see. As for October – well just keep a look out for a bearded Easter Bunny at Trick-or-Treat time. Santa is a huge Halloween fan.  

   This is the perfect book for children who ask “What does Santa do after Christmas is over?” With wonderfully humorous rhymes, which will have readers giggling in not time, and delightful artwork, this picture book will give readers something a little different to read during the holiday season.  

Five days of Seasonal and Holiday book giveaways - Day Four

Today's giveaway is a prefect gift for a child who is beginning to doubt that Santa exists. If you would like to enter this giveaway, please email me.

Santa’s Last Present

Marie-Aude Murail and Elvire Murail

Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Picture Book

Ages 8 to 12

Peachtree, 2003, 156145319-6

    Julian thinks that it is about time for him to stop writing letters to Santa. After all, isn’t he getting a little too old for Santa now? But his parents seem keen on the whole Santa business, so Julian writes to Santa asking for a really expensive present – a fancy video game system.

   On Christmas Day Julian finds that he has been given his requested gift, but he has also been given something else, a small wooden train. It would seem that Santa accidentally dropped the train when he visited the house on Christmas Eve. Julian soon figures out that the train is very special indeed (magical even) and he becomes quite devoted to it. In fact he seems to prefer the train to the state-of-the-art video gaming system.

   There is a problem though, for if the little train was lost, it can only really belong to Julian if he keeps it for a year and a day after he found it. What if Santa wants the train back? Julian puzzles and puzzles about what he can do to convince Santa not to reclaim the train that he has become so fond of.

   For all those youngsters who are beginning to doubt the Santa really exists, this wonderful little book, with its quirky illustrations, is a gift and a treasure. They will see that it is wise not to doubt the magic of Christmas, for you do you may miss out on something truly special.

Five days of Seasonal and Holiday book giveaways - Day Three

A few years ago Harry Horse created a picture book about a little rabbit, and since then other stories have been added to the Little Rabbit collection. Little Rabbit is, without a doubt, one of my favorite rabbit picture book characters. Here is a review of Little Rabbit's Christmas story. If you would like to enter this giveaway, please email me.

Little Rabbit’s Christmas

Harry Horse

Picture Book

Ages 4 to 6 (Series)

Peachtree, 2007, 1-56145-419-2

   It is Christmas Eve, and Little Rabbit is out walking with Papa when he sees a beautiful red sled in a shop window. Little Red Rabbit is so taken with the red sled that he cannot get it out of his mind. He cannot even get in the mood to help his brothers and sisters decorate the Christmas tree. As he is being tucked into bed that night, Little Rabbit wonders if the Christmas Rabbit will be able make a sled fit into his stocking.

  The next morning, Little Rabbit joins his brothers and sisters, opening his presents and  hoping that the next one will be the red sled. He looks everywhere for that precious sled but it is nowhere to be found. Then, out of sheer disappointment Little Rabbit starts to cry. It would appear that the Christmas Rabbit has not brought him a sled after all.

   And then Little Rabbit’s parents tell him to look outside and there, in the snow, lies the red sled! Little Rabbit is thrilled. Indeed he is so thrilled that he is determined that no one will use the sled – except for him.

   In this delightful new addition to the Little Rabbit series, Harry Horse has his charming little character learn a very simple yet valuable lesson. Even the most wonderful present in the world is no fun to play with if you are all alone. Furthermore, the real joy of  Christmas is being able to share your gifts and blessings with your family and friends.

   With a simple story and thoroughly delightful and unique illustrations, Harry Horse has created a bunny world that readers of all ages can enjoy. 

Two new Christmas books - reviews and giveaways

I recently reviewed two delightful Christmas books for the latest issue of TTLG. They are The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and The Christmas Magic. Here are my reviews:

The nutcracker and the mouse king

Wren Maysen

Illustrated by Gail de Marcken

Picture Book

Ages 5 to 8

Scholastic, 2009, 0545037735

Every Christmas Eve, Marie and Fritz Stahlbaum get a special treat, their Godfather Dosselmeier gives them wonderful toys that he has made for them. This year Godfather gives the children a beautiful dollhouse and a wooden soldier nutcracker. Often reckless and in a hurry, Fritz breaks the nutcracker by accident. Compassionate Marie takes pity on the broken soldier and she cares for him tenderly.

The evening Marie stays up a little later than everyone else, and to her amazement some incredible things start to happen. The room fills with mice and then a huge Mouse King arrives. The Mouse King leads his mice soldiers in an attack, which is then repulsed by the Nutcracker and his toy allies. Toy soldiers, dolls, puppets, and animals join the battle, and then…Marie wakes up.

The next morning Marie wakes up and she is in bed. She has a cut on her elbow and she has to stay in bed. One evening, Godfather Dosselmeier comes to visit Marie and he tells her the sad story of the Nutcracker.

Many children are familiar with the Nutcracker story in some form. In this book, Wren Maysen presents her readers with a wonderful adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman’s original tale. This version of the Nutcracker is more involved than the one used in the Nutcracker ballet, and Gail de Marcken’s rich and detailed illustrations beautifully compliment the magic filled story.

The Christmas Magic

Lauren Thompson

Illustrated by Jon J. Muth

Picture Book

Ages 4 to 7

Scholastic, 2009, 0439774977

Far to the north of here, there is a little house with a red door. This is where Santa Claus lives. Now that the days are getting shorter, Santa gets that special feeling that tells him that the magic will soon be arriving. He has a lot to do to get ready.

Santa calls the reindeer in and he feeds them well. He polishes the sleigh and oils his boots. Santa looks in his big book and decides what each child should get for Christmas. And, of course, Santa waits for the magic.

This beautiful picture book perfectly captures that special Christmas magic that we all eagerly wait for. As we read, anticipation builds up until that special moment in the story when everything is ready.

Jon J. Muth’s illustrations beautifully compliment Lauren Thompson’s lyrical text. Together they give young readers that perfect taste of the Christmas magic that is on its way.

Scholastic is offering two lucky readers a copy of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and two more a copy of The Christmas Magic. Please drop me a line to be entered in this giveaway.