✰✰✰ It's almost time for Santa Claus to visit. Peppa Pig, her little brother, and all her friends have written letters to Santa asking for gifts. Everyone wants something different. Soon Peppa's family finds the perfect Christmas tree to decorate on Christmas Eve. Later that night the two little pigs surprise Santa. Peppa asks Santa how he knows which presents to give everyone. Why, it's easy. Santa has a list...or does he? When Santa's list gets lost, how will he know which presents to leave behind? Check out this picture book to see how Peppa saves the day.
The Bottom Line: The pages are colorful and the text is large and easy to read. Unfortunately, both the digitally created illustrations and the text fall a bit flat. Additionally, the story lacks originality. Nevertheless, if your little one enjoys watching the Peppa Pig TV series, then by all means check it out.
Details: Peppa Pig and the Lost Christmas List by Candlewick Press. Hardcover picture book published by Candlewick Press in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-7636-6276-9
✰✰✰✰ Little Whistle is a real guinea pig that lives in Toytown, a store filled with toys for little girls and boys. During the day the toys must remain still and silent, but at night when the store is closed, the toys come to life. Each night Little Whistle visits with his toy friends. On a night close to Christmas, Little Whistle tells the toys about Santa who makes toys. Unfortunately, the toys at Toytown don’t remember how they came to be. They begin to wonder who made them. Was it Santa? They all look to Little Whistle for the answer. In order to find out, Little Whistle helps the curious toys write a letter to Santa Claus to ask him. Every night the toys wait for a reply from Santa, but one never comes. Just when it seems like they’ll never find out, a note and a magical box appear. Will their Christmas wishes come true? Read the book and see why Christmastime in Toytown is especially magical.
The Bottom Line: This sweet little Christmas story is recommended for children in Preschool – Grade 1. Little Whistle’s Christmas highlights the spirit of Christmas and the theme of friendship. Adorable illustrations complement the story in soft colors that will appeal little ones. Plus, kids who happen to have a guinea pig as a pet will enjoy this story. This book is perfect for bedtime reading on Christmas Eve. Also, don’t forget to check out the other books in the series.
Details: Little Whistle's Christmas written by Cynthia Rylant & illustrated by Tim Bowers. Library edition hardcover picture book published by Spotlight (a division of ABDO) in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-59961-254-6
✰✰✰✰✰ All the presents have been delivered and Santa has returned to the North Pole with a surprise for Mrs. Claus, an adorable homeless kitten named Cookie. But, alas, Santa is allergic to cats, so Mrs. Claus searches through letters from children who want kittens. She finds the perfect match, but there's a glitch. Santa needs permission from parents to give pets as Christmas presents. What is he to do? When Cookie discovers an unopened letter, Santa may have found the answer to his problem.The Bottom Line: Kids will love this Christmas tale of how Cookie the kitten finds a home. Christmas Kitten, Home at Last is the sequel to Christmas for a Kitten, but can be read as a stand alone book. The artwork in this picture book is beautifully painted in oils. Highly recommended for kids ages 5 - 9 and for anyone who loves a great Christmas animal story.Details: Christmas Kitten, Home at Last written by Robin Pulver & illustrated by Layne Johnson. Hardcover published by Albert Whitman & Company in 2010. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-8075-1157-2
