An appropriately simple and delightful canine-themed entry into the Christmas story canon.
Canine companion Belle negotiates the ups and downs of the Christmas season in Vanous’ picture book.
As many pets do, small dog Belle believes that the world revolves around her. On Christmas Eve, Belle knows something special is coming, but she believes it’s in her honor. When she and her human owner Mrs. Holliday take a stroll around the neighborhood and pass several Santa Claus lawn ornaments, Belle gets suspicious. “Who are these strange, silent things in everyone’s yards?” Later, at the mall, Belle gets her picture taken with a flesh-and-blood Santa. She doesn’t trust the way that families simply hand their children and pets over to him, but the treats he provides assuage her concerns. Belle discovers upon her return that even her home has been decked out: It’s really for Christmas, but Belle assumes it’s for her. She eagerly awaits multiple gifts in the morning, only to be disappointed that the humans of the family are unwrapping them instead: that is, until Mrs. Holliday gives her a present of her very own. The latest in Vanous’ series about Belle since Brave Belle Saves the Day (2025), this entertaining holiday picture book is loaded with vintage charm and gentle humor. Belle is a character in which many young readers will no doubt see echoes of their own pets confused by strange human rituals. Flint’s watercolor and ink illustrations hearken back to the 1950s, the era in which many classic Christmas songs originated, giving the story a timeless feel.
An appropriately simple and delightful canine-themed entry into the Christmas story canon.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 9798993516493
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
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