children’s books

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig
Illustrated by:  Chris Mould
Published by: Alfred A. Knopf (division of Penguin Random House) on November 1, 2016
Genre:  Children’s Middle Grade Fiction, Christmas
Pages: 240
Price:  $16.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Penguin Random House:

Before there was Santa Claus, there was a young boy who believed in the impossible. . . . Lemony Snicket meets Elf in this warmhearted Christmas caper.
 
Eleven-year-old Nikolas—nicknamed “Christmas”—has received only one toy in his life: a doll carved out of a turnip. But he’s happy with his turnip doll, because it came from his parents, who love him. Then one day his father goes missing, and Nikolas must travel to the North Pole to save him. 
 
Along the way, Nikolas befriends a surly reindeer, bests a troublesome troll, and discovers a hidden world of enchantment in the frozen village of Elfhelm. But the elves of Elfhelm have troubles of their own: Christmas spirit and goodwill are at an all-time low, and Nikolas may be the only person who can fix things—if only he can reach his father before it’s too late. . . .
 
Sparkling with wit and warmth, A Boy Called Christmas is a cheeky new Christmas classic-in-the-making from acclaimed author Matt Haig and illustrator Chris Mould.

Review: This book begins with Nikolas, an eleven year old boy, living with his father in the woods of Finland.  They are very poor and the only presents Nikolas ever received in his life were a wooden sleigh and a doll carved out of a turnip.  The only friend he has is a mouse he named Miika.  His father, Joel is a woodcutter and spends his days chopping wood.  One day a hunter named Anders asks Joel to accompany him on a trip north to find Elfhelm, the Elf Village.  The king is offering a huge monetary reward for anyone who can bring back proof of the village’s existence.  While his father’s away, Aunt Carlotta comes to take care of Nikolas.  She doesn’t like Nikolas very much and treats him badly.  After some time, Nikolas fears his father might be missing and goes on a journey to find him.  On the way, he befriends a reindeer whom he names Blitzen.  The two find them themselves on an adventure where they eventually find Elfhelm and reconnect with Nikolas’s father.  However, tough choices must be made and Nikolas must stand up for what he believes in.

This book is a fictional story of Father Christmas.  While reading we discover the origin of Santa’s red hat, the elves and reindeer and the delivering of presents on Christmas eve. It’s a magical story filled with adventure that will appeal to most readers.  Nikolas was a very likable character who perserveres through some difficult times. On the other hand,  Aunt Carlotta was very unlikable and the way she treated Nikolas reminded me of how Cinderella was treated by her stepmother.  This book included several memorable quotes including, “An impossibility is just a possibility you don’t understand yet,” “You can’t see something you don’t believe in,”  and”We must never let fear be our guide.” This book has short chapters that are filled with Mould’s black and white sketched illustrations.  I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, The Girl Who Saved Christmas.

Overall Review:  Recommended Read

The Doll People’s Christmas by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin
Pictures By: Brett Helquist
Published by: Disney * Hyperion, 2016
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price:  $17.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Goodreads:

Christmas is Annabelle Doll’s favorite time of year. She loves celebrating with her family, and she especially loves all the beautiful decorations Kate and Grandma Katherine put up in the dollhouse. She can’t wait to have Tiffany and the rest of the Funcrafts over for their very first Christmas. But when the angel topper for the Dolls’ tree breaks, Annabelle is convinced the holiday is ruined. And things only get worse when Kate and Nora decide to use the dolls to create a nativity scene downstairs, meaning Annabelle won’t be able to keep her special traditions at all! But as Christmas spirit fills the Palmers’ home, Annabelle realizes that all she needs for a truly perfect holiday is to share it with her friends and family.

Review: Annabelle Doll lives in a Victorian  dollhouse in Kate Palmer’s bedroom with her family.  Tifanny Funcraft lives in a modern plastic dollhouse in Nora Palmer’s room.  This Christmas the two doll families would be celebrating together and Annabelle is excited to show Tiffany, “the perfect Christmas.”  But when Kate is putting up the dollhouse decorations, she accidentally drops the angel for the top of the tree and it breaks.  Now there’s nothing for the top of the tree and Annabelle thinks Christmas is ruined.  Things get worse when Annabelle and the other dolls are brought down to the nativity scene for the first time and left there overnight.  Then  Captain, the cat appears and begins swatting at the ornaments on the tree.  Will the dolls be his next target?  Will they survive their first Christmas outside the dollhouses?

I grew up reading Martin’s The Babysitter’s Club series and loved it.  The Doll People’s Christmas is the fifth book in the Doll People series, but the first book in the series that we’ve read.  My son didn’t enjoy the book very much and I’m not sure how much widespread appeal the book will have, with the characters being doll house figures.  The books touches upon holiday traditions, dealing with change and appreciating the spirit of Christmas which are good lessons for everyone.

Overall Rating:  Optional Read

Babushka:  A Christmas Tale by Dawn Casey
Pictures By: Amanda Hall
Published by: Good Books (an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.), 2016
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price:  $16.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Skyhorse Publishing:

On the eve of the very first Christmas, an old grandmother is busy tidying her home when a bright star illuminates the sky. Soon three wise men arrive and invite Babushka to join them in their travels—following the star in search of a newborn babe, the Prince of Peace. But there are dishes to be washed, and floors to be swept, and Babushka is too absorbed in her work to leave her home with presents for the baby Jesus.

The next day, when Babushka tries to follow the men, she cannot find their tracks. Instead, she finds a little girl shivering in the cold, and a little boy, his tummy rumbling with hunger. Babushka walks and walks, and everywhere she goes she finds children in need of toys to play with or a shawl to keep them warm. And to each one, she offers a gift from her basket and a smile of light and love.

With beautiful illustrations evoking folk art traditions and sensitive storytelling, Babushka tenderly reminds us that nothing is more important during the holiday season than taking the time to show love for one another. This timeless Russian tale will warm your heart and fill you up with the joyful, generous spirit of Christmas.

Review: This is the first time that we have read about this Russian folktale.  One winter’s night Babushka is tidying her house when three men knock on her door, looking for some warmth and food.  Babushka makes them soup while they rest and warm up.  They tell her that they are following the star in the East to see the newborn king.  Although the men invite Babushka to travel with them, she refuses and stays home to clean up after the men.  That night, she dreams of a baby and the next morning wakes to see the star shining in the East.  She packs a basket filled with toys and food and decides to set off and find the baby to bring him the gifts.  But she ends up lost in the cold.  She finds a girl shivering in the cold and gives her a warm knit shawl.  As Babushka travels, she continues to encounter children who need food and toys.  Legend says Babushka is still journeying and giving gifts to those children who need them.

This is a heartwarming holiday story that takes place in Russia.  I loved the birght, colorful illustrations.  This is  a Christmas story that doesn’t focus on Santa but the spirit of the holiday.

Overall Rating:  Recommended Read

Maple & Willow’s Christmas Tree by Lori Nichols
Pictures By: Lori Nichols
Published by: Nancy Paulsen Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House) on October 18, 2016
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price:  $16.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Penguin Random House:

Lori Nichols’s delightful book celebrates the bond of two nature-loving sisters, and their ability to find fantastic kid-powered solutions to any problem—and it will give allergy sufferers an extra reason to celebrate.
 
Maple and Willow love trees—and now they are getting their first real Christmas tree. It is going to be the best Christmas ever! After a snowy expedition to pick out the perfect tree, it’s time to decorate. But whenever Maple gets near the tree, she starts sniffling and sneezing. Could she really be allergic to the perfect Christmas tree? And if so, how will the girls find a way to make this the best Christmas after all?

Review: It’s Christmas time and this year sisters, Maple and Willow, are getting a real Christmas tree.  After spending lots of time and hard work, they finally find the perfect tree.  But after bringing the tree inside and they start decorating it, they discover that Maple is allergic to the tree!  Unfortunately, the tree has to be brought outside and Willow gets upset that Maple, “ruined Christmas.”  Willow feels bad that she hurt her sister’s feelings and comes up with a perfect Christmas surprise for Maple.

I thought this picture book captured the bond between siblings in a way that many children can relate to. I found it very cute when Maple and Willow spoke to each other in Pig Latin when picking out their tree.  Nichols showcases the love between the sisters as well as the fighting that often occurs among siblings.  I like that Willow felt bad about hurting her sister’s feelings and wanted to make things better between them.  This was a very cute holiday read!

This was our first Maple & Willow book and I just discovered that there are several other picture books featuring these two sisters.  We will be checking them out soon!

Overall Rating:  Recommended Read

Fly Guy’s Ninja Christmas  by Tedd Arnold
Pictures By: Tedd Arnold
Published by: Cartwheel Books (an imprint of Scholastic Inc.) September 27, 2016
Genre:  Children’s Early Reader, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price:  $6.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Goodreads:

In the new book in Tedd Arnold’s New York Times bestselling Fly Guy series, it’s Christmazzz Eve and Fly Guy doesn’t have a present to give his best friend, Buzz. But when he goes out to look for one, Fly Guy meets a stranger in the house whom he has to fight off with his ninja action. Will Fly Guy defeat the stranger? Will he find a present for Buzz?

Even reluctant readers will enjoy this fun, zany holiday story about Fly Guy meeting Santa Claus, knocking over the Christmas tree, and showing off his ninja moves!

Review:  This is one of the few Christmas books published in 2016 that I found for early readers and it’s the 16th book in Arnold’s Fly Guy series.  It’s Christmas Eve and Fly Guy realizes that he doesn’t have a present for Buzz. Fly Guy ends up meeting Santa while searching the house for a present for Buzz.  Thinking he is a stranger, Fly Guy uses his ninja skills on Santa, waking Buzz up in the process.  After helping Santa clean up the mess and enjoying some milk and cookies, Buzz goes back to bed.  Fly Guy ends up coming up with a present for Buzz, with a little help from Santa.  This book is written in three super short chapters.  None of my children were ever really into the Fly Guy series and honestly, after reading a couple of books, this one included, I’m not a big fan myself.  I do enjoy Arnold’s illustrations though.  If you have a fan of the Fly Guy series in your house, this book will likely be enjoyed.  As I mentioned, there isn’t a huge selection of new Christmas books targeted for the beginning reader, so this one fills that nice.

Overall Rating:  Optional Read

Gingerbread Christmas by Jan Brett
Pictures By: Jan Brett
Published by: G.P. Putnam’s Sons (an imprint of Penguin Random House) on October 18, 2016
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price:  $18.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Penguin Random House:

Jan Brett’s beloved character the Gingerbread Baby returns in a fun-filled Christmas caper!
 
Gingerbread Baby and his friend, Matti, take his gingerbread band to the Christmas Festival where they are a hit until the aroma of gingerbread reaches the children, signaling that it is time to run away. Clever Matti uses snow to disguise the gingerbread instruments while Gingerbread Baby leads the audience on a merry chase to the smartest hiding place ever–a giant Christmas tree.

Review:  Gingerbread Baby wants to sing with his band at the Christmas Festival, but he doesn’t have a band!  So Matti bakes him a gingerbread one, including a violin, cello, double bass, French horn, clarinet, trumpet and drum.  After being frosted, the band marches into town where they dazzle the village people.  Everyone, including the forest animals dance to the band’s music, until a little girl points out that the the instruments are gingerbread cookies.  Gingerbread Baby distracts the villagers on a wile chase, while Matti rescues the instruments.

This is the third book in the Gingerbread Baby series by Jan Brett.  Jan Brett is one of our family’s favorite picture book authors/illustrators.  The research and detail that she puts into each book is unbelievable.  This is a fun, holiday-themed read that will make you want to make (or just eat!) some gingerbread cookies!

Overall Verdict:  Recommended Read

The Christmas Boot by Lisa Wheeler
Pictures By:  Jerry Pinkney
Published by: Dial Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Penguin Random House), October 18, 2016
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price:  $17.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Penguin Random House:

In the spirit of Christmas classics The Polar Express and The Night Before Christmas comes a holiday tale about the magic of Santa, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney
 
Lonely Hannah is delighted to discover a warm black boot as she gathers kindling in the forest. A poor woman, she doesn’t have proper shoes on her cold feet. “Glory be! I only wish I had your mate,” she says to the boot, and the next morning, to her great surprise, there is not just one boot but two sitting by her bed! More wishes bring even better gifts—but the best is still to come: A visitor arrives at her door—a man with a big white beard, wearing a red suit and only one boot. Who could this magical visitor be? Santa Claus, of course! And he has one more surprise in store for Hannah: She wakes up the next morning to find a new puppy waiting for her!

Review:  Hannah Greyweather, is a poor, old woman, who lives alone in a cabin in the mountains.  One day while collecting fired wood she finds one black boot.  Before bed she tells the boot how she wished for its mate.  The next morning she awakens to find the matching boot by her bed.  Hannah then discovers that she can wish for things and they will appear.  But then one evening she gets an unexpected visitor, Santa Claus, looking for his missing boot.  When she gives him back his boot, everything she had received from the magic of the boot disappears.  Hannah still ends up happy, receiving what she truly desires from Santa.

Although Lisa Wheeler has written over 30 children’s books, the only other book that we’ve read of hers is Boogie Knights.   This book was originally published in 2006 by a small publisher that went out of business.  Wheeler got the rights back to her book and was offered a book deal with Dial.  This book really captures the magic of Christmas.   I appreciate the focus on what one really needs versus what one wants.  Jerry Pinkney’s beautiful, colorful illustrations complement the story well.

Overall Verdict:  Recommended Read

Candy Cane Lane by Scott Santoro
Pictures By:  Scott Santoro
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, September, 2016
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price:  $17.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Simon & Schuster:

A group of misfit holiday decorations come vividly to life as they try to make their way home for the holidays in this enchanting and heartwarming picture book from Scott Santoro.

The houses on Candy Cane Lane have some of the most spectacular holiday decorations around, so when a winter storm hits and damages some of the festive lawn ornaments, the residents simply can’t allow the broken figures to ruin their prized displays. Many end up in the trash, including a scuffed choirboy who is sure he’ll never have a chance to bring holiday cheer to the lane again. That is, until a little girl in the only undecorated house on the block saves him and gives him a special spot on her lawn.

But when a misunderstanding the next morning sends the choirboy off to the dump, he’ll have to team up with a plucky group of other discarded lawn ornaments to find his way back to the little girl and the one place everyone wants to be during the holiday season—home.

With classic holiday spirit and illustrations as merry and bright as any holiday display, Scott Santoro brings Candy Cane Lane to life for readers of all ages.

Review:  A little girl lives in the only house on Candy Cane Lane that has no Christmas decorations.  The day after a blizzard, the girl discovers a dented choirboy in the trash.  She rescues him and places him on her lawn, excited to finally have a lawn decoration.  However, her father mistakenly throws him out again and he is taken away by the garbage men.  The choirboy finds some other discarded ornaments who band together in hopes of finding the little girl who will hopefully love them all.

This book is filled with colorful illustrations that have a retro feel.  In today’s age of holiday decorations including the Star Shower, projectors, and Christmas inflatables I’m not sure how relevant this book is for children.   While reading this to my eight-year-old son, he questioned what a lawn ornament was and asked if it was like the ornaments on our tree.  As I mentioned, at least near us, not many people use these types of holiday decorations anymore, so he was not very familiar with them.  The overall story is heartwarming as the castoffs are finally loved. However, this book didn’t appeal to my children.

Overall Rating: Optional

Santa’s Underwear by Marty Rhodes Figley
Pictures By:  Marty Kelley
Published by: Sleeping Bear Press on August 1, 2016
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price:  $16.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Sleeping Bear Press:

It’s Christmas Eve and Santa is busy getting gussied up for the big night. But when he goes to put on his warm, cozy (holey, ragged) Christmas underwear, they’re nowhere to be found! With undies for every occasion, he tries on the rest of his collection. But nothing is quite right. Just when he’s about to give up he find a surprise from his considerate team of reindeer. Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!

Review:  Santa prepares to deliver presents on Christmas Eve but can’t find his special long, red, woolly undies.  He tries on several other pairs of underwear but none of them feel right for this special night.  Will he find his Christmas underwear in time to deliver presents?!  This is a silly Christmas read that will appeal to younger children.  The humorous illustrations of Santa’s various underwear ensembles will have them giggling.

Overall Verdict:  Optional Read

The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold by Maureen Fergus
Pictures By:  Cale Atkinson
Published by: Tundra Books(division of Penguin Random House) on October 11, 2016
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price:  $16.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Penguin Random House:

Santa has a problem. This kid? Harold? Santa doesn’t think he’s real. He WANTS to believe in Harold–after all, Harold is one of the most magical parts of Christmas. Getting Harold’s letters, eating the cookies he leaves out, feeding his carrots to the reindeer… what would Christmas be without that? But Santa’s just not sure. Some of his friends are telling him they think Harold’s not real. And the Harold that sat on his knee last Christmas looked AWFULLY different. Santa comes up with a plan to find out once and for all if Harold really exists… with hilarious consequences.

Review:  Santa is doubting if Harold is real and Harold is doubting if Santa is real.  The two both come up with a plan to see if the other does indeed exist.  Maureen Fergus has written several children’s books, however this was our first time reading her work.  My son found the illustrations of Santa funny with his giant round belly and body and tiny legs and arms.  The story gets a plus for depicting a multiracial family.  My eight-year-old son is at the age where he may be starting to doubt the existence of Santa Claus.  As I was reading this book to him I was cringing a little inside, hoping he wouldn’t bring up the question if Santa was real.  Be wary of reading this book to children who may be doubting the existence of Santa.

Overall Verdict: Optional Read