A CHRISTMAS FOR BELLE

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.