✰✰✰✰½ Millie is back, and she has a new job delivering Christmas mail. It's a very busy time of year, but Millie loves it. On Christmas Eve, she is sent home with a bundle of packages for the farmer and the other animals. Unfortunately, the snow turns the simple trek home into a confusing maze, and Millie gets lost. What will happen to the undelivered presents? Will she be able to find her way home in time for Christmas? Check out this humorous story and find out.
The Bottom Line: This sweet, misadventure of Millie the cow will appeal to kids in preschool through first grade. The large format and comical illustrations in watercolor are perfect for school and library storytime. Highly recommended for bedtime reading too.
Details: Millie in the Snow written & illustrated by Alexander Steffensmeier. Hardcover picture book published by Walker & Company in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-8027-9801-5
✰✰✰✰½ Wilma has grown flowers in her garden for many years. However, when winter arrives she decides that she needs a new challenge in the spring. Thus, she orders dozens of balsams for planting. Together with her five-year-old neighbor, Parker, they nurture the little trees. The years go by, and they keep track of how many trees survive. As Parker grows up, so do the trees until one year the trees are ready. The trees are tagged and sold to families looking for the perfect Christmas tree. The next spring, Wilma and Parker are ready to begin planting again.
The Bottom Line: This charming book is perfect for little ones wondering about how Christmas trees are grown and harvested. The story features a heartwarming friendship between two neighbors, one young and one old. It also emphasizes the value of hard work and patience. Beautiful, wintry illustrations in watercolor and gouache bring the story to life. Highly recommended for kids in grades K - 4.
Details: Christmas Farm written by Mary Lyn Ray & illustrated by Barry Root. Hardcover picture book published by Harcourt, Inc. in 2008. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-15-216290-0
✰✰✰✰½ It's is the perfect spring day for the grandkids to visit the farm. But all chaos breaks out when the cows get loose and the pigs break the gate. Nevertheless, Grandpa is as cool as a cucumber and intent on fixing his morning breakfast. After all, he suspects the grandkids are up to some April foolishness. While the farm is going nuts, grandpa just grins. It is April Fools' Day after all...or is it? See who gets the last laugh in this uproarious and good-humored picture book.
The Bottom Line: This whimsical story told in rhyme will appeal to kids in grade school. Both the author and the illustrator succeed in capturing the carefree fun of April Fools' Day. This colorfully illustrated book is highly engaging for kids and would be the perfect pick for story time.
Details: April Foolishness written by Teresa Bateman and illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott. Hardcover picture book published by Albert Whitman & Company in 2004. 32 p. ISBN: 0-8075-0404-1
