ALL IS MERRY AND BRIGHT

This oversized board book may be too heavy for little children to lift, but the foil-clad pages will draw their eyes.

It’s large (10 inches high and 9 inches wide but also 2 inches thick)—with pages twice as thick as in most board books. Foil pages with embossed text and subtle tactile decorations are reminiscent of expensive holiday giftwrap. There is no story here (and no punctuation), but there is action. Most panels depict a varied cast of children engaged in winter and holiday activities. The words call to mind “Silent Night,” but this is not a rewrite of that classic carol. Rather, the poetic text and modern design evoke the spirit of the holiday season. Three to six well-chosen words in uppercase text centered on either recto or verso are well-matched to the stylized illustrations. For example, on the third spread, the words “WHEN LIGHTS SHINE” are surrounded by holiday ornaments in silver, copper green, blue, and red against a deep green background. Similarly, on the eighth spread, a family greeting a troupe of carolers (both groups multiracial) shares a picture window with the words “SINGING RINGING VOICES RISE.” More than 35 shiny musical notes float above the scene.

Display this shimmering keepsake under the tree every Christmas to remember the spirit of the season.