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A BEDTIME PRAYER

Best for parents looking for a sweet nighttime prayer ritual to share with toddlers and preschoolers.

It’s the end of the day and time for little ones to head to bed and say their prayers.

This offering is a long nighttime prayer in verse offering thanks to God for everything good in a child’s world. This includes the bright blue skies and songbirds of a new day, “creatures great and small,” foods from the garden, friendship and music, and “home, sweet home.” The poem also offers thanks to God for his love, care, wisdom and guidance: “You teach me to be kind, / To be patient, good, and strong. / You guide me on the path / To know what’s right from wrong.” The lengthy, singsong (and occasionally clunky) verse isn’t likely to keep children engaged, but it might successfully help ease them into peaceful sleep. The illustrations depict cuddly baby animals—a dog, kitty, bear and lamb—and, in a few instances, a caregiver or two joining in the fun. The cheerful scenes have a soft, quiet quality that contributes to the offering’s overall soporific effect, as does the padded cover reminiscent of a cushy blanket. 

Best for parents looking for a sweet nighttime prayer ritual to share with toddlers and preschoolers. (Board book. 2-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-58925-606-4

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Tiger Tales

Review Posted Online: Sept. 24, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2014

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THE LITTLE REINDEER

From the Little Animal series

One of those rare birds: an original and entertaining Christmas story with its own understated charm.

On Christmas Eve, a little girl named Ollie meets one of Santa’s reindeer.

Ollie seems to be a big fan of reindeer, as she wears a furry reindeer costume to bed and sleeps with a stuffed reindeer toy. When she hears the sound of jingle bells late on Christmas Eve, Ollie goes outside alone with her sled to find the source. She finds a red collar with shiny, silver jingle bells and then meets a reindeer looking for the lost collar. Her new reindeer friend takes Ollie for a thrilling ride through the starry sky before delivering her home and rejoining the reindeer team for Christmas Eve deliveries. On Christmas morning Ollie finds her present from Santa, a snow globe with a tiny replica of her reindeer friend inside. Delightful illustrations in a muted palette of grays are enhanced with touches of deep red and shiny silver that stand out against the snow. Ollie’s surprising ride on the reindeer’s back is enchanting, shown in a wordless double-page spread with shiny jingle bells and a swath of silvery dots indicating the magical nature of reindeer flight. Subtle surprises include matching patterns on Ollie’s bed quilt and the reindeer’s saddle blanket as well as occasional, cleverly designed die-cut windows that offer a glimpse of the following page. Ollie and Santa are both white.

One of those rare birds: an original and entertaining Christmas story with its own understated charm. (Picture book. 2-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-4814-8686-6

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Aug. 20, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2017

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A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS

This cheerful, easy-to-understand story offers a satisfying lesson for families who want to convey the Christian meaning of...

Little Bunny celebrates with his animal friends at a Christmas party celebrating the birth of Jesus.

When the young rabbit receives an invitation to a Christmas party, his mother explains that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. Little Bunny dreams of the presents he likes to receive for his own birthday, such as toys and sweets, and wonders what present he can take to the party as a gift for Jesus. The bunny finds his friends decorating a tree outside and placing wrapped presents under it with tags listing qualities and goals such as kindness, faith, and peace. Little Bunny makes his own package with a tag specifying “Love,” and his mother explains more about the connections between Jesus, Christmas, and the concept of love as “the greatest gift anyone can give on Christmas.” The simple story is told in just a few words, introducing some basic concepts of Christianity in terms accessible to young children. Charming, soft-focus illustrations create a cheery personality for the little rabbit and wintry settings of snow-covered trees and darkening night skies. The final scene shows the group of animal friends gathered together at night, with a glowing star in the sky also serving as the star for the Christmas tree.

This cheerful, easy-to-understand story offers a satisfying lesson for families who want to convey the Christian meaning of the Christmas holiday. (Picture book/religion. 2-6)

Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-6809-9319-6

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Review Posted Online: Aug. 20, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2017

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