Book Review: 'Red and Green and Blue and White' by Lee Wind

✰✰✰✰✰ This holiday season read the story about how love can overcome hate when friends stand up for one another. As the holidays approach, families of different faiths decorate their houses with pride…red and green for Christmas and blue and white for Chanukah. When Isaac’s house is vandalized, his best friend Teresa decides to draw a Menorah and put it in the window. Soon the idea grew, and more and more people put up drawings of a Menorah in their Christmas window displays. As more people participated, the spirit of the holidays shined through and a true sense of community grew.

The Bottom Line: Inspired by real events and real people in Billings, Montana in 1993, this story shines a light on those who chose to be UPstanders instead of BYstanders. This book illustrates that a movement can grow from just a few into a community of friends who can respect one another and demonstrates that love can overcome hate. Bold illustrations in contrasting holiday colors reinforce the message of community and holiday spirit. Highly recommended holiday reading for children and adults of all faiths.

Details: Red and Green and Blue and White: Inspired by a True Story written by Lee Wind & illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Hardcover picture book published by Levine Querido in 2021. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-64614-087-9 

Book Review: 'A Whisper in the Snow' by Kate Westerlund

✰✰✰✰✰ One rabbit of a trio heard a whisper in the snow. While the others were skeptical, they agreed to search along with their mouse friends. They didn’t know what they were looking for, but when they found it, they knew they had to help. They wondered what to do with the frozen little teddy bear. Only one animal in the forest would know what to do. With a sweet treat as a bribe, the animals got to work sprucing up the teddy bear. The only problem now was how to find the teddy’s lost owner. Will the animals be able to find the teddy’s lost human in time for Christmas? Read on to find out.

The Bottom Line: This sweet tale of animals helping a lost teddy bear go home for the holidays is sure to be a classic. Illustrator Feridun Oral’s wintry art is dreamy and wondrous; the illustrations really put the reader in a snowy holiday mood. This gentle story demonstrates what a little love, teamwork, and Christmas spirit can accomplish. Heartily recommended holiday reading for kids ages 5 - 8.

Details: A Whisper in the Snow written by Kate Westerlund & illustrated by Feridun Oral. Hardcover picture book published by minedition in 2018. 32 p. ISBN: 978-988-8341-52-8