Book Review: 'Snow Bunny's Christmas Wish' by Rebecca Harry

✰✰✰✰✰ A wee little snow bunny is happy in the forest, but longs for just one thing, a friend. With Christmas on the way, she writes a letter to Santa asking for one. Alas, she misses the post and decides the deliver the letter to Santa herself. After all, it's not that far away, and all she has to do is follow the North Star. Just in case, she packs some essentials for the trek. Along the way she gives away her supplies to animals that need them. When she finally reaches the North Pole, she is cold and hungry. Santa invites her to deliver Christmas gifts with him. When the little bunny asks about her request, Santa surprises her with the best gift of all. Check out this wonderful, classic tale of kindness and friendship to find out what it is.

The Bottom Line: This sweet story of a little bunny wishing for a friend is a keeper. In the spirit of the season, the wee bunny discovers how her actions of kindness are returned. Highly recommended seasonal reading with little ones in Pre-K - K. Harry's wintry color palette is enhanced by thoughtfully placed silver foil throughout, resulting in dreamy illustrations.

Details: Snow Bunny's Christmas Wish written & illustrated by Rebecca Harry. Hardcover picture book published by Orchard Books in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-545-54103-9 

Book Review: 'The Bear and the Star' by Lola M. Schaefer

✰✰✰✰½ On an early December morning, Bear wakes to find a star. This isn’t just any star; it’s larger than any before it. Bear knows it is time and searches for a tree, not just any tree. Bear needs to find a sturdy tree, taller than any before. At last Bear finds a majestic evergreen, and he begins to roar. Bear summons the birds and the other animals. Bear roars so loud, people come to the tree too. As people and animals gather around, they too know it is time. Time for everyone to come together in harmony.

The Bottom Line: This gentle tale about the spirit of the season and community is beautifully illustrated in oils with a seasonal palette. Perfect for bedtime storytime with little ones ages 3 - 7.

Details: The Bear and the Star written by Lola M. Schaefer & illustrated by Bethanne Anderson. Hardcover picture book published by Greenwillow Books in 2019. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-266037-4

Book Review: 'I Got the Christmas Spirit' by Connie Schofield-Morrison

✰✰✰✰✰ A young African American girl is full of holiday spirit. She’s been waiting all year to sparkle, shine, and sing her way through the season. When she finds a family in need, she looks for a way to shine even brighter and help people along the way. Join in as she sings, skates, and jingles her way through the festive, wintry city.

The Bottom Line: This sweet tale of finding the holiday spirit is sure to inspire anyone who is searching for theirs. Cheerful art with rich colors created with oil on canvas brings this story to life. Enthusiastically recommended holiday reading with your little one ages 4 - 7.

Details: I Got the Christmas Spirit written by Connie Schofield-Morrison & illustrated by Frank Morrison. Hardcover picture book published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books in 2018. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-68119-528-5 

Book Review: 'Happy St. Patrick's Day From the Crayons' by Drew Daywalt

✰✰✰ It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and Green Crayon is away. What are the other crayons supposed to do? After all, the color green is essential for the day. The other crayons decide to make the best of it as they combine colors and learn to shine in their own light. And just when they finish coloring, who should decide to return? Check out this festive, little book to find out.

The Bottom Line: With adorable drawings in gouache, ink, colored pencil, and crayon, it actually looks like this cute book was illustrated by the crayons. Kids will learn a little bit about blending colors to make others, and how to do their best to shine. [Note: There may be some questions about using black for the rainbow though. Perhaps, the author & illustrator had the CMYK perspective in mind, where all the colors make black? It’s important to note, in nature all the colors together make white light.] Nevertheless, little ones learning their colors may enjoy this seasonal read about teamwork.

Details: Happy St. Patrick’s Day From the Crayons written by Drew Daywalt & illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Picture book published by Philomel in 2024. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-593-62433-3 

Book Review: Heart to Heart by George Shannon

✰✰✰½ Squirrel and mole are best friends, but when Squirrel forgets it is Valentine’s Day, he panics. Squirrel quickly gets to work making a valentine for Mole. However, Squirrel’s plans change when he can’t find his scissors. Thinking outside the box, Squirrel comes up with a plan to create something even better. Will Mole appreciate the effort or realize Squirrel has forgotten this special event?

The Bottom Line: Illustrated in watercolors featuring a wintry palette with splashes of pastels, this short and sweet tale of friendship is recommended for holiday reading. 

Details: Heart to Heart written by George Shannon & illustrated by Steve Björkman Picture book published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1995. 32 p. ISBN: 0-395-72773-1 

Book Review: 'Grumpy Groundhog' by Maureen Wright

✰✰✰½ It’s Groundhog Day, but the star of the show, the groundhog, is sleeping late! What’s a mayor to do? The mayor pleads, but to no avail. He must turn to the townspeople for help. Ideas pour in, and the groundhog is listening. Will the bribes work? Will the groundhog get up and do his job? It takes a lot to motivate this diva, and Groundhog Day is passing by. Only time will tell if our sleepy friend cooperates.

The Bottom Line: For a humorous take on the day we all anxiously wait for all winter long, check out this seasonal treat for storytime or bedtime reading with your preschooler. Whimsical watercolor illustrations in vibrant colors are engaging and funny. Don’t sleep late and miss out!

Details: Grumpy Groundhog written by Maureen Wright & illustrated by Amanda Haley. Picture book published by Two Lions in 2014. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1477847053

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 

Book Review: 'The Gift of the Tree' by Alvin Tresselt

✰✰✰✰✰ A grand oak tree has stood in a forest for a very long time. Home to birds and animals, the tree is beginning to lose its limbs one by one. Over time, the tree completely falls apart. However, even in death, there is new life in the forest. Check out this fantastic story of renewal and rebirth.

The Bottom Line: This entire picture book is a work of art illustrating the circle of life through an oak tree. Originally published under the title The Dead Tree, this informative classic takes the reader from stage to stage as the old tree dies and becomes part of the Earth again. Highly recommended for kids in grades 3 & 4 who are interested in science and biology. As a fan of natural science, I would have adored this as a kid.

Details: The Gift of the Tree written by Alvin Tresselt & illustrated by Henri Sorensen. Hardcover picture book published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books in 1992. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-688-10684-3 

Book Review: 'How to Scare a Ghost' by Jean Reagan

✰✰✰✰ Chock full of tips for those wanting to scare a ghost, young readers will find information ranging from attracting a ghost to making sure it is real to playing with a ghost and more. There’s even tips for things you can do with your ghost and going trick-or-treating with your ghost. If you've ever wondered how to deal with a ghost, this book will get you started.

The Bottom Line: This humorous and fun Halloween treat is filled with colorful and engaging digitally created illustrations. This would be a fun book to read during storytime or simply aloud with your little one. Enthusiastically recommended for spooky holiday reading.

Details: How to Scare a Ghost (How To Series) written by Jean Reagan & illustrated by Lee Wildish. Picture book published by Knopf Books for Young Readers in 2018. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-5247-0190-1

Book Review: 'Just Say Boo!' by Susan Hood

✰✰✰½ If you’ve ever wondered what to say when encountering a spooky friend or foe, Just Say Boo! has just the right words for you. For all types of spooky situations like encounters with wind, wet leaves, skeletons, and dinosaurs, this book has the answers. Don’t know what to say when you receive a treat? Just look it up here. Scared of bugs? Just look it up here. And wondering how to deal with a crying baby? Look no further. Check out this book for seasonal answers. 

The Bottom Line: With catchy rhyming verses and festive, autumnal watercolor illustrations, this seasonal picture book will delight kids ages 3 - 7. It is especially helpful for bashful children who might wonder what to say in new situations or for little ones a tiny bit afraid of some spooky fun. 

Details: Just Say Boo! written by Susan Hood & illustrated by Jed Henry. Picture book published by Harper in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-201029-2 

Book Review: 'We're Going on a Goon Hunt' by Michael Rex

✰✰✰✰✰ On a spooky night a family goes looking for a goon. Not any goon will do. They are looking for a green one. The goon hunt takes them through a pumpkin patch, swamp, graveyard, and more as they search for the bald, green one. Along the way, the family feels more and more scared, but together they continue. Will they be brave enough to find it?

The Bottom Line: With repeating lines and subtle changes in text, beginning readers will enjoy reading this aloud over and over again. The engaging illustrations feature digitally colored pencil drawings resulting in sharp lines and cool colors. As a companion book to Goodnight Goon, this one is both funny and fun. Highly recommended seasonal reading with your little one or for storytimes.

Details: We’re Going on a Goon Hunt: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex. Hardcover picture book published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in 2020. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-9848-1362-6 

Book Review: 'Oh No, Not Ghosts!' by Richard Michelson

✰✰✰½ With their dad asleep, two siblings try not to make a peep. However, it’s hard to ignore that sound. Could it be ghosts, werewolves, or giants? Oh no, it’s something scarier. Or is it? Check out this suspenseful, seasonal picture book to find out.

The Bottom Line: A little bit creepy, and a little bit scary, this picture book demonstrates through rhymes and engaging illustrations that there’s no such thing as ghosts. For seasonal reading and storytime for kids ages 5 - 7.

Details: Oh No, Not Ghosts! written by Richard Michelson & illustrated by Adam McCauley. Picture book published by Harcourt, Inc. in 2006. 44 p. ISBN: 0-15-205186-4  

Book Review: 'The Vanishing Pumpkin' by Tony Johnston

✰✰✰✰½ Johnston and dePaola team up again to bring readers this delightful tale of a 700-year-old woman and an 800-year-old man who just want to make a pumpkin pie on Halloween. Lo and behold, their pumpkin is missing. This just won’t do, so the old couple set off to look for it. Join them as they question a ghoul, a rapscallion, a varmint, and an old wizard. Each has motives to steal the prized pumpkin, but who really did it? This book will keep you turning the pages with a surprise ending.

The Bottom Line: While searching the shelves for new Halloween books to review, I came across this blast from the past. Perfect seasonal reading for kids in grades 1 - 3, this picture book probably has more words in it that kids are used to today, so be prepared to read-along. Illustrated in dePaola’s signature style, this book is enthusiastically recommended.

Details: The Vanishing Pumpkin written by Tony Johnston & pictures by Tomie dePaola. Hardcover picture book published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in 1983. 30 p. ISBN: 0-399-20991-3 

Book Review: 'The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky' by Jory John

✰✰✰ The Bad Seed is in a bad mood. Even though Halloween is his favorite holiday, he’s grumpy. He has no one to blame, but himself because he just couldn’t put together an awesome Halloween costume in time. Being a bad seed, he decides to trick the others into postponing Halloween to give himself more time. Will his antics work? Or will the others celebrate without him? Check out this short book to find out.

The Bottom Line: As the Bad Seed learns, there’s no need to take your bad mood out on others. Some things just aren’t that big of a deal, and all we need is someone to point this out. However, it’s never too late to make things right. This book is part of The Food Group series, and kids will enjoy this seasonal offering. Oswald’s illustrations were the highlight of this book; nevertheless, this installment didn’t have quite the snarkiness of the original.

[Note: This book comes with 150 spooky stickers; however, since I checked out a copy from a local library, there were none inside. Thus, the stickers were not a part of my book review.]

Details: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky written by Jory John & illustrated by Pete Oswald. Hardcover picture book published by HarperCollins in 2021. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-295454-1  

Book Review: 'Who Said Boo?: Halloween Poems for the Very Young' by Nancy White Carlstrom

✰✰✰✰ This charming collection of seasonal Halloween-themed poems includes poems about jack-o’-lanterns, monsters, ghosts, haunted houses, and witches.

The Bottom Line: These engaging and fun poems are accompanied by colorful, dreamy, and humorous illustrations rendered in pen and ink and watercolor. Recommended seasonal reading for children who enjoy poetry.

Details: Who Said Boo?: Halloween Poems for the Very Young written by Nancy White Carlstrom & illustrated by R. W. Alley. Hardcover picture book published by Aladdin Paperback in 1999. 32 p. ISBN: 0-689-80308-7

Book Review: 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!' by Mo Willems

✰✰✰✰½ Pigeon is back, and it wants to drive Santa’s sleigh. Santa is aware of Pigeon’s reputation and asks you personally to keep an eye on his sleigh. It’s not going to be easy. You see, Pigeon can be sassy, sweet, and very convincing. Can you tell Pigeon no? Or will you give in and let Pigeon drive the sleigh?

The Bottom Line: Besides being a children’s book author, Mo is an animator and voice actor who has won many awards including 3 Caldecott Medals! This is the 9th book in the Pigeon series. The beauty of this picture book is in the simplicity of the illustrations and the sparse words in a large font. Told with humor and good fun, this short tale is highly recommended seasonal reading for beginning readers ages 4 - 7.

Details: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! Words & pictures by Mo Willems. Hardcover picture book published by Unions Square Kids in 2023. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-4549-5277-0 

Book Review: 'Santa is Coming to Chicago' by Steve Smallman

✰✰✰ After checking to see that all the children in the Chicagoland area have been good and locating all the reindeer, Santa is ready to make deliveries. Unfortunately Santa’s navigation device, Santa-Nav, is malfunctioning in a snowstorm. Will they be able to deliver presents in time? It’s up to the youngest reindeer to figure it out as they visit various Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs.

The Bottom Line: This is part of the Santa is Coming series, which features many localities throughout the United States and even worldwide. These were churned out pretty quickly, but each book includes names of places that readers will be familiar with. It’s fun to see if your town or neighborhood is mentioned, and Dunn’s illustrations highlight local attractions in a rainbow of colors. Festive holiday reading for kids ages 4 - 8.

Details: Santa is Coming to Chicago written by Steve Smallman & illustrated by Robert Dunn. Hardcover picture book published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-4022-7509-8  

Book Review: 'Milo's Christmas Parade' by Jennie Palmer

✰✰✰✰ Milo comes from a big family of opossums. They all love the big Christmas parade, but for different reasons. His passel loves it for the buffet of treats people leave behind. Milo loves it for the floats. In fact, his dream is to build his own float and be in the parade.

One year Milo finally decides to take the plunge and build a float. His family doesn’t really understand why Milo is so driven, but they help anyway. When the big day finally arrives, disaster strikes. Although it looks hopeless, a little help from his family and a surprise helper just might save the day.

The Bottom Line: This is a sweet holiday tale of living your dream, believing in yourself, and teamwork. Sometimes we don’t always understand what a loved one is so enthusiastic about, but helping out is what families and friends do. The charming illustrations were rendered in a combination of pencil, ink, watercolor, and digital tools. Fun holiday reading for kids ages 4 - 7.

Details: Milo’s Christmas Parade written & illustrated by Jennie Palmer. Picture book published by Abrams Books for Young Readers in 2020. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-4197-4499-0

'Christmas in July' Book Reviews 2024

It's been an especially hot, humid and noisy summer so far, and I find myself thinking of cooler weather, hot chocolate, and the holidays. For this July, I'll be reviewing a few sweet Christmas picture books to take my mind of the heat, rain, and cicadas (They're everywhere!). Join me as I dedicate this month to frosty reviews featuring a cute opossum, an elf, cats, Chicago, and more...

Happy Holiday Reading in July! Stay Cool!

P.S. I found this free holiday clip art at CarlsWebGraphics. Thank you, Carl!