POPPLETON AT CHRISTMAS

Poppleton the pig celebrates the season in three delightful stories.

Each tale presents the charming porcine at his most conscientious, gracious self. In “The Jar,” good-natured Poppleton considers his BFFs’ preferences and needs above all when making his gift choices. When his money runs out before he can purchase the just-right item he wants for llama pal Cherry Sue, the store’s manager comes up with an ingenious solution. In “Snow,” Poppleton wishes for a white Christmas, but the weather isn’t cooperating, so he takes matters into his own trotters with the aid of dozens of artificial-snow-filled aerosol cans. When he’s done, the whole neighborhood “looks like Christmas.” In “Midnight,” Poppleton and buddies Cherry Sue, Fillmore the goat, and Hudson the mouse celebrate a festive Christmas Eve with cider and cookies, sparkling candles and tree lights, secret Christmas wishes, and, before going home to bed, a walk to wish “a good Christmas to the animals of the night: the owls, the deer, and the raccoons.” This sweet easy chapter book overflows with warmth and coziness and exudes the true spirit of the holiday season: friendship, thoughtfulness, and kindness. The cheery, colorful illustrations and endearing, expressive animal protagonists are well suited to the text. Backmatter bonuses include a guide to drawing Poppleton and a prompt for creating an illustrated story.

A lovely choice to help emergent readers get into the Christmas spirit.