A holiday toast to thinking outside the (gift) box.
A last-minute letter sends Santa scrambling to find just the right gift.
Actually, Amy’s letter drops down Santa’s chimney five days before Christmas. But before he can rescue it from the fire, a hole burns right through the spot where she specifies what she wants. Maybe the busy elves can figure it out? Or Mr. Polar Bear? Or maybe the reindeer? No, a box of coal (it’s all that’s left on the shelves), a huge scarf, and a fat carrot just don’t seem quite right for a girl on the “nice” list. Still, when time runs out, Santa gathers up what he has—and by the time he arrives in Amy’s snowy yard he has an idea. Christmas dinner at the North Pole is capped by her thank-you note for all the snow (just what she had asked for!) and the wonderful snowman. The contents of Amy’s letters (one looking singed, the other food stained) and the three gift packages are concealed beneath big, reasonably sturdy flaps. Amy and Santa are White in the cartoon illustrations. The tiny elves are diverse in skin color.
A holiday toast to thinking outside the (gift) box. (Picture book/novelty. 4-6)Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-61064-196-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kane Miller
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2020
A good choice to share with wriggly listeners, who will soon be joining in.
A Halloween book that rides on the rhythms of “Over in the Meadow.”
Although Halloween rhyming counting books abound, this stands out, with a text that begs to be read aloud and cartoony digital illustrations that add goofy appeal. A girl and two boys set off on Halloween night to go trick-or-treating. As the children leave the cozy, warm glow of their street, readers see a haunted house on a hill, with gravestones dotting the front yard. Climbing the twisty path to the dark estate takes time, so the story turns to the antics inside the house. “At the old haunted house in a room with no sun / lived a warty green witch and her wee witch one. ‘SPELL!’ cried the witch. ‘POOF!’ cried the one. / And they both practiced spells in the room with no sun.” The actions of the scary creatures within may seem odd, but the rhyme must go on: Cats scratch, goblins dust, monsters stir, and mummies mix. Eventually the three kids reach the front door and are invited in for stew, cake and brew. At first shocked by the gruesome fare, the children recover quickly and get caught up in partying with the slightly spooky but friendly menagerie.
A good choice to share with wriggly listeners, who will soon be joining in. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 12, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4778-4769-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This succulent successfully steals the spotlight from the ever-present evergreens.
Tiny Cactus eagerly anticipates Christmas—and wishes for some holiday decorations of her own.
Sitting snugly on a bookshelf, Tiny Cactus is especially treasured by her little girl. When she notices all the Christmas decorations coming out, Tiny Cactus is excited for her turn to be covered in tinsel and sparkles. Christmas Day arrives, but Tiny Cactus still doesn’t have any holiday decor. After a pep talk from her friend—an elephant-shaped teapot—and a little holiday magic, she gets some surprising trimmings of her very own. Tiny Cactus has sweetly human characteristics: pink cheeks, expressive eyes, and little legs below her flowerpot. The muted illustrations are dominated by pale grays, various shades of green, and many pops of pink. One particularly stunning image shows the Christmas tree, lights off, still glowing in the moonlight through the nearby window. Little readers will be delighted by the holiday magic and the way that Tiny Cactus ultimately gets her decorations. Evergreen trees are usually the stars of the season, but this unique cactus makes a creative focus for this story. Children will be pleased to learn that the Christmas cactus is a real houseplant; after reading this charming tale, many will be clamoring for one of their own. The little girl and her family are drawn with light brown skin and puffy dark hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This succulent successfully steals the spotlight from the ever-present evergreens. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9780063039643
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 12, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
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