Book Review: 'What the Little Fir Tree Wore to the Christmas Party' by Satomi Ichikawa

✰✰✰✰✰ On the edge of a forest, the fir trees are eagerly awaiting Christmas. Each has a plan for what they will wear to the Christmas party, but no one asks the littlest fir tree. When a truck arrives and takes the beautiful fir trees away, the littlest tree is heartbroken. Now she'll never get to dress up, but at least she's not alone. An old, bare tree was left behind too. Together the old tree and the littlest tree talk about their dreams and wait for Christmas. When Christmas arrives, the two tree friends are surprised to see their dreams come true.

The Bottom Line: This heartwarming, imaginative tale of friendship and hope is the perfect way to share storytime with your little one on Christmas Eve. Illustrated with luminous watercolors, Ichikawa's gentle tale will get you in the holiday spirit. Enthusiastically recommended for all.

Details: What the Little Fir Tree Wore to the Christmas Party by Satomi Ichikawa. Picture book published by Philomel Books in 1999. 40 p. ISBN: 0-399-23746-1  

Book Review: 'A Christmas Wish' by Julia Hubery

✰✰✰✰ Gemma and her little brother, Ty, are eager to decorate the Christmas tree. Among all the shiny ornaments is one very special snow deer. When Ty reaches for it, the deer falls and breaks. Gemma is so angry that she doesn't even want to decorate the tree anymore. After an evening of pouting, Gemma realizes she may have been too harsh with her little brother and ruined Christmas. However, Ty has a plan to make things better again. With Ty's special gift and some help from mom, Gemma learns what Christmas is really all about. 

The Bottom Line: Dreamy illustrations with a sprinkle of glitter add magic to this tale of Christmas spirit and forgiveness. Joyfully recommended for all families with little ones eager to help decorate.

Details: A Christmas Wish written by Julia Hubery & illustrated by Sophy Williams. Picture book published by Good Books in 2007. 25 p. ISBN: 978-1-56148-589-5 

Book Review: 'All the Colors of Christmas' by Matthew Paul Turner

✰✰✰✰✰ The colors of Christmas are just like children, with all different shades and hues. There's the color of cranberries, garland, jingle bells, sky, snow, and the baby Jesus. Everyone is unique with their own special gifts. Christmas is you, and you are Christmas. 

The Bottom Line: This gentle picture book is filled with rhymes and positivity. Featuring all the colors of Christmas, it also celebrates diversity. Gamble's colorful illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to the lyrical text. Highly recommended for school and library story times, but also for simply reading with your child at bedtime.

Details: All the Colors of Christmas written by Matthew Paul Turner & illustrated by Gillian Gamble. Picture book published by Convergent Books in 2020. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-525-65414-8 

Book Review: 'The Santa Trap' by Jonathan Emmett

✰✰✰½ Bradley Bartleby is a very naughty little boy. He's used to getting everything he wants and doesn't appreciate a thing. So when he ends up on Santa's naughty list and only gets a new pair of socks for Christmas again, Bradley vows to get back at Santa. 

Bradley begins by putting dynamite in the chimney, but that's only the beginning. His devious plans involve turning the entire mansion into a trap to catch Santa and his loot. With trapdoors, tigers, and even more dynamite, the house is armed and ready. Has Santa finally met his match? Or is it Bradley who is in for the surprise? This creative picture book will keep you in suspense until the very end.

The Bottom Line: This is not your typical Christmas holiday book. This one is a bit dark & disturbing, but it does have a silver lining. Bernatene's illustrations in digital mixed media are brilliantly dark and humorous. This tale is appropriate for kids in grades 4 - 5 and will appeal to kids who like something original and different. 

Details: The Santa Trap written by Jonathan Emmett & illustrated by Poly Bernatene. Picture book published by Peachtree Publishers in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-56145-6703

Book Review: 'Do Rabbits Have Christmas?' by Aileen Fisher

✰✰✰½ Do rabbits celebrate Christmas? Do the animals give each other presents? Is there a Santa Claus? Children often wonder about these questions around the holiday. In this collection of fifteen poems by Aileen Fisher, children (and adults) just might find their answers.

The Bottom Line: Although poet Aileen Fisher passed away in 2002, her poetry still has the power to transport us from the present to an ethereal world of Christmas magic. And to my delight, dreamy watercolor illustrations bind the poetry together and whisk the reader away with enchanting snow scenes.  Recommended for fans of holiday poetry and for classroom storytimes. 

Details: Do Rabbits Have Christmas? poems by Aileen Fisher & illustrations by Sarah Fox-Davies. Picture book published by Henry Holt and Company in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-8050-7491-8 

Book Review: 'Snowmen at Christmas' written by Caralyn Buehner

✰✰✰✰ When a little boy builds a snowman on Christmas Eve, he goes to bed wondering what snowmen do during the night. He dreams of them slipping away and gathering together to celebrate in their own way with holiday greetings, tree trimming, and a visit from Santa. Snowmen sure know how to have fun before returning to their homes on Christmas morning.

The Bottom Line: With bouncy rhyming verse and bright, clever paintings by a husband and wife team, this sequel to Snowmen at Night will be a seasonal favorite. Recommended holiday reading for little ones in Pre-K - Grade 1. As an added bonus, each illustration contains hidden figures. Can you find a cat, a rabbit, a Santa face, a T-rex, and a little brown mouse? Take your time, and take another look because the items are well hidden. 

Details: Snowmen at Christmas written by Caralyn Buehner & illustrated by Mark Buehner. Hardcover picture book published by Dial Books in 2005. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0803729957 

2022 'Christmas in July' Book Reviews

After a year or two of taking a break from holiday themed book reviews, I am pleased to announce that Christmas in July book reviews are back! With this year being the sizzler that it is, it's great to be able to focus on these wintry delights. Over the next 4 weeks, I'll share my reviews of picture books about snowmen, fir trees, and a sparkly reindeer. Stay cool, my friends!

P.S. I found this awesome, free clip art at Clipart Library. Thank you!