A very merry Christmas story overflowing with plenty of ho-ho heart.
A young boy initiates a lively correspondence with Santa.
Back-and-forth letters between Santa and Jake, expressed in bouncy rhymes that scan beautifully, comprise this epistolary story. Accompanying his wish list, Jake’s first letter emphasizes his good behavior and his desire for a wealth of gifts (“bring two of each present in case one should break”). Awaiting Santa’s reply, Jake sends another missive with a longer list. “’Tis better to give than receive,” writes back Santa. The elves will trim the list. Jake’s unpersuaded. “Receiving is slightly more fun,” he says, sending back a longer list. Impatient “S.C.” threatens Jake with coal. Jake doesn’t mind and, demonstrating his thoughtfulness, tells Santa to take a vacation. Before heading to the beach, Santa chooses his stand-in—guess who?—and dispatches his red suit, sleigh, and reindeer. Unfortunately, Santa’s beard becomes firmly attached to Jake’s face, so he wears it to school, where his classmates tell him their Christmas wishes. Finally, Jake understands the meaning of Christmas because their wishes epitomize generosity. Was this Santa’s plan? Now Jake knows what he wants: the beard’s removal. Receiving the elves’ satisfactory report, Santa complies, then gives Jake something special. This delightful holiday story brims with humor, cheer, and warmth—and a fine message. Children will chuckle over the correspondence and the protagonists’ camaraderie. The colorful digital illustrations burst with energy. Jake is tan-skinned; background characters are diverse.
A very merry Christmas story overflowing with plenty of ho-ho heart. (tips for writing to Santa) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781464225253
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
Thoughtful and joyful.
A child of Vietnamese descent fantasizes about the perfect outfit for Tết.
One night, Mai dreams about being a big “STAAAAAAR” and fielding questions on the red carpet. Mai’s literal dream dress is a sparkly silver ballroom gown with a sweetheart cut. After waking up, the child is eager to tell Ba all about it, but first it’s time to get ready. It’s the first day of Tết, or Lunar New Year, and the family plans to celebrate at Mai’s grandmother’s house. Though Mai loves visiting Bà Nội, the child balks at donning the áo dài, a Vietnamese outfit consisting of a tunic worn over trousers. “Stars wear dresses and gowns,” Mai tells Ba. But Ba shows Mai the family photo album, explaining that Bà Nội had her own sewing school in Vietnam and that her students lovingly dubbed her the “Queen of Áo Dài.” To keep their traditions alive when the family emigrated, Bà Nội continued to make áo dài for her loved ones, and the children learned to sew them as an expression of love. Finally, with a newfound appreciation for the garment, Mai greets Bà Nội with a hug, clad in a customized áo dài made by Ba. Told entirely through naturally expressed and well-paced dialogue and accompanied by vividly textured illustrations, this is a loving tale of a family finding a creative way to reshape a beloved tradition.
Thoughtful and joyful. (glossary, “let’s design our own áo dài” activity) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9781665917346
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Caitlyn Dlouhy/Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.
The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.
Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781728276137
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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