December 1 – Christmas Book Day

About the Holiday

As the month of December begins, we’re celebrating Christmas Books Day! Begun by author Jill Roman Lord in 2021, the holiday encourages people to share, buy, and gift books about Christmas that can be shared throughout the month and beyond. There’s no better way for adults and kids to engage with all the fun and meaning of the holiday than through favorite books read year after year as well as newly discovered stories. So grab mugs of hot cocoa, a plate of cookies, and all the Christmas books you love. You’ll want add today’s book to your stack too. It’s sure to become one of your favorite Christmas classics!

The Big Cheese Presents: Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas

Written by Jory John | Illustrated by Pete Oswald

Can you feel it!? Christmas is coming! You might be getting out the door wreath, hanging a few festive decorations, and thinking about getting a tree. And, of course, there will be shopping. Sounds nice, right? But is it Big? And I mean BIG? The Big Cheese is here to tell you that “Christmas isn’t Christmas unless it’s a BIIIIIIIGGGGGG Christmas!” That means lights on every window, tree, and pathway; “extreme” decor inside and out; and a party presided over by the Big Cheese, who with great modesty claims the mantle of “stellar host” with the “sparkliest” conversation, “funniest” jokes, “tallest” tree, “tastiest” snacks . . . well, you get it.

And gifts? The Big Cheese is the best giver and getter of presents on the planet! Yep, the Big Cheese always wins Christmas. But that was then, and this is now—like right now in the midst of preps for his biiiigggg Christmas party. The electricity has gone kerflooey, stopping everything in their wet and messy tracks.

The Big Cheese calls up his gouda friend Wedge Wedgeman who, after hearing about the disaster, offers to hold the party at his place. Swallowing his pride, the Big Cheese agrees then calls his guests and relays the change in plans. At Wedge’s house, he finds a warm welcome, simple decorations and snacks, and a cozy atmosphere. “There was no balloon drop, no rock band, no snow machine, no bullhorns, no spectacle.” Instead, there was a convivial group laughing and talking together.

At first the Big Cheese is taken aback by not being the center of attention, but then feels contentment. They took a group picture, and Wedge had personalized cards for everyone. The Big Cheese had to admit it was a wonderful party and told Wedge so. They even agreed to work together on next year’s party. With a high-five and a hug, the Big Cheese headed home with a changed heart about the meaning of Christmas. Of course, a BIG Christmas might still be in the cards for the future. Hey, you didn’t think the Big Cheese’s “personality totally changed in one day,” did you?

A tear-sheet of 12 Christmas cards for kids to share is included.

Jory John infuses his story with BIG laughs as the Big Cheese does Christmas in inimitable style. Through the Big Cheese’s penchant for excess, John has good-natured fun with the escalation of decorations, gifts, food, and even party favors that can—”Bam!”—come to define Christmas. When the electricity fails, ruining any prospect of a party, though, we learn that inside this wheel of braggadocio beats a heart whose first thought was, unselfishly, for the guests. Wedge’s simple celebration spurs the Big Cheese to more self-reflection, which imparts a thoughtful message on the true meaning of the holiday for children. John’s ending is pitch-perfect characterization, leaving readers with a final chuckle with the endearing Big Cheese.

Pete Oswald transports readers into a hilarious, eye-popping wonderland of Christmas glitz, gifts, and gadgets galore, the sheer number of which will delight kids who love to count. When the washer floods the house, kids will laugh out loud at the mayhem and the Big Cheese’s reactions. In contrast, Wedge’s cozy cottage glows with the warmth of a crackling fire and friendship, leaving kids filled with holiday spirit and as content as the Big Cheese.

Hilarious, heartwarming, and a fantastic read aloud that the whole family will love sharing again and again, The Big Cheese Presents: Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas is a book you’ll want to pick up now to enjoy throughout the season.

Ages 4 – 8

HarperCollins, 2025 | ISBN 978-0063494480

About the Author

Jory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E. B. White Read Aloud Honor recipient. Jory’s work includes the award-winning Goodnight Already! series; the bestselling Food Group series, including The Bad Seed, The Good Egg, and more; the national bestseller All My Friends Are Dead; and many more popular picture books. You can visit him online at joryjohn.com.

About the Illustrator

Pete Oswald is an artist, picture book creator, and production designer. Pete is the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Food Group series by Jory John and the Cranky series by Phuc Tran as well as many other picture books. When Pete is not working on books, he is helping to uplift many of the most successful animated franchises as a character designer, concept artist, and production designer. Pete lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and three sons. Visit him at peteoswald.com.

Christmas Book Day Activity

Make Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas Ornaments

Wouldn’t your tree look festive adorned with Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas ornaments? You bet it would! With this coloring Activity Sheet from HarperCollins, you can add the Big Cheese, Wedge, and a puppy to your Christmas decor! Ta Da! (And don’t forget to add some sparkle!)

Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas

You can purchase The Big Cheese Presents: Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

November 21 – Get Ready for Christmas

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Christmastime is perfect when it’s shared with best friends! There are so many festivities to do together. From singing to baking to crafting and more, Christmas is a time for togetherness, whether you and your friends have different favorite ways to celebrate or agree on everything—like the kitty-corns in today’s book!

Holly Jolly Kitty-Corn

Written by Shannon Hale | Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

“Kitty adores Christmastime,” and it turns out that Unicorn does too! They’re excited to celebrate their first Christmas together, especially since they always agree. Unicorn offers that their “favorite part of Christmas is the music.” While Kitty politely agrees, she likes more snazz than snooze in her music, and soon she’s snoring so loudly that Unicorn can’t hear his favorite part.

When Kitty reminds Unicorn that their real favorite part is making gingerbread houses, Unicorn is game to try. After several hours, Kitty has created a beautifully decorated village. She’s jazzed to put her village together with Unicorn’s, but he’s only made one “ramshackle shack.” When he tries to place his house next to one of Kitty’s, it sends them all tumbling like dominoes. Kitty and Unicorn squabble over the mishap, while Gecko and Parakeet pipe up with a song about it.

Kitty’s not going to let those two have the last note, so when Unicorn suggests that the tree is their favorite part of Christmas, she agrees. At the lot, Unicorn asks if Kitty likes a particularly small one. Kitty loves it, but asks if it’s big enough for Unicorn. Misunderstanding, Unicorn shows her bigger trees, where Kitty chooses the biggest tree in the place, hoping to make her bestie happy.

Back home, their box of ornaments is no match for the enormous tree, so they make more. Still, the tree looks empty. Kitty calls for more stuff. Finally, as Kitty places the tiny star on top, the tree tips . . . timbers . . . crashes to the ground. Unicorn sympathizes with Kitty over the fate of her “perfect tree.” Confused, Kitty counters: “‘That wasn’t my perfect tree. It was yours.'” Unicorn is flummoxed. They banter until they realize that they both prefer “itty-bitty trees.” They stare at each other until both explode in laughter, proving that despite the mayhem, Christmas really is “the merriest day of the year.” The kitty-corns end the day with tasty gingerbread and cocoa. Turns out, Unicorn’s music is perfect for falling asleep on a starry night.

A giggle-inducing Kitty-Corn Carol, worthy of Gecko and Parakeet and set to the music of Deck the Halls, follows the story.

Funny and as sweet as Christmas treats, Shannon Hale’s and LeUyen Pham’s newest addition to their Kitty-Corn series will enchant readers, whether they’re fans of the books or just discovering them. Kitty and Unicorn’s tender and feisty friendship is challenged as the two try to blend their favorite holiday traditions or guess what the other likes best, but it emerges as tight-knit as ever. Hale’s dialogue-rich storytelling, sprinkled with rhymes, creates a delightful read aloud. Kids will laugh over the list of “ornaments” the pair use to decorate their enormous tree and sing along with Gecko and Parakeet’s musical interludes.

LeUyen Pham’s spirited illustrations offer stockings-full of laughs, charm, and cuteness as the characters’ facial expressions clearly demonstrate their emotions. Kids will want to linger over Kitty’s gingerbread houses to pick up ideas for their own as well as the Kitty-Corns’ fully stocked tree to point out each silly decoration.

Ages 4 – 8

Harry N. Abrams, 2025 | ISBN 978-1419768798

LeUyen Pham and Shannon Hale are the team behind the bestselling picture books Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn, Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn, Party Hearty Kitty-Corn, and Bubbly Beautiful Kitty-Corn, as well as the Kitty-Corn Club board books; the bestselling graphic novels Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever; and, with Dean Hale, the early chapter book series The Princess in Black. They have made a bunch of other books too. They are both moms of cat-loving kids, wives to book-creating husbands, honor award winners (Caldecott and Newbery), and believers in unicorns. Pham lives in Los Angeles, Hale lives in Utah, and together they know they can be—and make—anything. Visit Shannon Hale at shannonhale.com. You can find LeUyen Pham on Instagram.

Get Ready for Christmas Activity

Colorful Ornaments

These plastic ornaments swirled with colors make the perfect decorations for your tree, whether it’s itty-bitty or enormous! This is a fun activity to do with friends or to give away too!

Supplies

Plastic ornaments, available at craft stores
Nail polish in various colors
Plastic bowl or container, deep enough to dip the ornament into the water
Drying stand – I used a clear, plastic egg carton. You can also hang ornaments to dry

Directions

Fill the plastic container with warm to hot water

Using two or three colors, gently “paint” the water inn dots and swirls with the nail polish, using the nail brush or a toothpick.
Slowly dip the plastic ornament into the water and turn it to pick up the nail polish floating on the top of the water.
To dry, place the ornament on a stand or hang over a paper plate, wax paper, or other paper to catch drips.

You can purchase Holly Jolly Kitty Corn from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

October 15 – Get Ready for Christmas with Author Robin Currie

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

There may be no better way to usher in the spirit of Christmas with little ones than by sharing holiday stories both old and new. Books about Christmas offer inspiration, tradition, humor, and new perspectives on this favorite holiday. Stuff your stockings with pre-Christmas reads, and don’t forget that books make the perfect present for all ages!

Just Enough Room for Christmas

Written by Robin Currie | Illustrated by Estelle Corke

Old Hannah, a gentle brown milk cow had just settled in to sleep in her cozy room-for-one Bethlehem barn when there was a knock on the door. She heard a young traveler calling out to her: “‘Old Hannah, Old Hannah, let my horse in, please! / Your barn is so warm, and out here he will freeze.'” Hannah opened the door. While the barn was small, there was just enough room for one more. Grateful, the young girl brought in her horse, giving him one admonition: “‘Do not stomp.'”

Soon, Old Hannah and the horse heard another knock. Answering it, they found a goatherd asking for shelter for his cold goat. The cow and the horse made room for one more. The goatherd left her with a pat and a caution: “‘Do not bump.'”

The night was particularly cold, and one after another, travelers stopped by the barn asking for Old Hannah to offer refuge for their animal. Each time, Old Hannah and the other visitors made room for the newcomer, and each time the thankful owners bade their animal to mind its manners. The animals crowded in until, at last, there was only room enough for one more tiny creature to join them.

Under the door crept a little mouse, who scampered across the hay with a “SQUEAK.” Hearing the squeak, the other animals forgot their manners and stomped and bumped and baaa-ed, causing quite a din. Then suddenly they stopped. Was that a knock at the door? On the threshold stood a man and a woman. They said, “‘Old Hannah, Old Hannah, may we come in, please? / Your barn is so warm and out here, we will freeze.'”

Even though the barn was small and already crowded, the animals made room for the tired couple then settled themselves to sleep. All was quiet in the barn, until later when a newborn baby’s cry broke the silence. “Later angels would sing and a new star would shine” for this special baby. Later shepherds and men bringing gifts visited Him. But first, Old Hannah and the other animals welcomed this family into their “small barn with just enough room for a newborn King.”

Robin Currie’s sweet story of a kind group of animals who make room for each other and—on that first Christmas night—Mary, Joseph, and newborn baby Jesus combines heart, humor, and generosity in a read-aloud children will want to hear again and again. Little ones will be charmed by the repeat phrasing that will have them reading along in no time. They’ll especially enjoy acting out the stomps, bumps, bleats, squeaks, and other sounds as the story progresses.

Estelle Corke’s adorable and expressive illustrations will enchant children and adults alike as each animal and human pair appear at the barn door and the animals are invited in. Mary and Joseph are devoted to each other and their new baby as they also find solace in the barn. Corke’s rich color palette of blues and golds with touches of purple, pink, and green illuminates each page, depicting the frigid winter weather while enveloping readers in the warmth of the Christmas story.

Uplifting and joyful, Just Enough Room for Christmas is a delightful and meaningful read-aloud that is sure to become a family Christmas tradition. The book would make a beautiful and much-loved gift.

Ages 4 – 7

Good Books/SkyHorse Publishing, 2025 | ISBN 978-1680999730

About the Author

Robin Currie is a preschool chaplain, ordained minister, and librarian. She volunteers annually to teach reading and literacy in developing countries and has taught English in far-flung places such as China, Tanzania, and India. Her family includes four grown children and five grandchildren. She lives near Wheaton, Illinois. Visit her on Substack | Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram.

About the Illustrator

Estelle Corke is a freelance illustrator who has worked as an artist for more than thirty years. Her first love is children’s publishing, with animals and children her favorite subjects. Estelle’s art has appeared in Guideposts and Highlights. She lives in Bath in the United Kingdom. Visit her at estellecorke.com | Facebook | Instagram.

Meet Robin Currie

Despite her incessant need to wiggle, Robin Currie earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science and spent her library career in children’s departments where she could baa, moo, and honk without getting shushed. Robin has traditionally published more than 45 picture books. She writes stories to read and read again!

I’m excited to host Robin Currie as part of her Just Enough Room for Christmas book tour! Today she talks about how her sweet story went from a brainstorming session idea to bookstore shelves with bumps and cheers along the way.

The Tale of the Cow

In 2023 for Storystorm (a 30-day idea brainstorming group put together by author Tara Lazar every January), my idea #5 was “stable is just a shed for travelers’ horses and donkeys, the inn keepers’ cow and a few mice – Nothing Happens in a Stable.”

Talking to my agent later that spring, he suggested I write 10 pieces about Christmas and see if he could sell some. That produced some winners like “Did the Holy Family Drive a Truck?” and “Why the Kings were Late to Bethlehem.” And one called “Old Hannah.”

The premise of “Old Hannah” was along the lines of “always room for one more,” where the stable gets more and more crowded as more animals escape the cold. That way, I incorporated my fluent second language: cow (with a passable knowledge of goat, cat, and dog). The twist on the original Christmas story is that the last to arrive is a tired couple about to have a baby. The animals quiet down to make room for the newborn king.

I had that outlined early on with the animals asking Old Hannah to let them in, and the cow replying.

BLAAT! Buzzer sound – foul!

The agent told me that in the religious market today, animals don’t talk. (And despite the fact that I could name lots of books where animals DID talk—plus the whole “Gift of the talking animals on Christmas Eve” thing—he said it had a better chance of selling if the cattle did not chatter.)

And the title should be changed to something about Christmas. OK: “Christmas in the Barn.”

Time for the critique groups—live and online. They pinpointed some little stuff, but basically gave lots of good feedback. And another title change to “Just Enough Room for Christmas.”

I sent the story off to a critique service, where it scored a once-in-a-lifetime “1”! Then I sent it to my agent, pen poised for offers…

Crickets. Churrip-churrip!

So, I sent it to a couple of contests, mostly for some outside feedback. The manuscript got an honorable mention in the Cascade Writers 2024 and won Silver for Royal Palm Literary Awards 2024 from Florida Writers Association. You have to believe in a Blue Ribbon Cow!

In an Above the Slush Pile opportunity, I sent it to Good Books/Skyhorse Publishing (noting the story was already an award winner and the animals did NOT talk!) and got an immediate response. Not only YES—but YES in 2025!

You know the cow that jumped over the moon? I was on its back! Mooooo!

Thanks, Robin, for sharing so much about your journey with Just Enough Room for Christmas! I wish you all the best with your book. I know readers are going to love it!

You can purchase Just Enough Room for Christmas from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

November 4 – Get Ready for Christmas Tree Trimming Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Before Santa can put presents under the tree, the pine (or palm) needs to be chosen, and then the real fun begins! Stringing the lights, hanging the ornaments—each one with its own story—and topping it off with a star to turn a regular tree into a Christmas tree is a highlight of the holiday season. Add some hot cocoa, homemade cookies, family stories from Christmases past, and reading new and favorite holiday books, and you have one of the best days of the year.

Thanks go to Random House Books for Young Readers and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy of Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree

Written by Freddy Wexler | Illustrated by Fanny Berthiaume

Everett Green was a born entertainer. His “high notes soared. His dance moves dazzled. His punch lines were perfection.” He dreamed of being a star. But Everett was a palm tree living and working at The Sandy Straw restaurant, where no one seemed to take notice when he took the stage. Everett despaired, thinking there must be more out there somewhere.

Then one day, while sweeping up after closing time at The Sandy Straw, he saw something amazing on the big screen TV: the Christmas tree lighting spectacular in New York City. Everett was jazzed and decided he was going to be “‘the most famous Christmas tree in the world.'” His friends were skeptical, but Everett threw on a string of colored lights, packed his microphone, a few Santa hats and reindeer headbands, sparkling ornaments, candy canes and other festive baubles, and headed for the airport.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-everett-green-new-york

Image copyright Fanny Berthiaume, 2024, text copyright Freddy Wexler, 2024. Courtesy of Random House Books for Young Readers.

At the airport, though, Everett ran into trouble at the security line. He didn’t have a ticket, money, or an ID. “Everett was stumped.” What Everett didn’t know was that his friend Bird had stowed away in his fronds and now popped out with a plan. While Bird created a distraction, Everett made a break for the departure gate. When he got there, though, he and Bird learned that all flights to New York were delayed by a snow storm.

All around the airport terminal, people were calling their families with the sad news. Everett was disheartened. If he couldn’t get to New York tonight, on Christmas Eve, he’d “never be a real Christmas tree.” Just then, a little girl and her mother walked by. “‘Mommy, look! A Christmas tree,” the girl said. Her mother disagreed, but the girl told Everett that he looked like a Christmas tree to her.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-everett-green-everett-packing

Image copyright Fanny Berthiaume, 2024, text copyright Freddy Wexler, 2024. Courtesy of Random House Books for Young Readers.

Everett looked around and saw no other Christmas trees. What he did see were disappointed travelers and shop employees working on Christmas Eve. He grabbed his microphone and took to the walkways. “‘Merry Christmas, Pretzel Palace! Merry Christmas, Gifts to Go!'” He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and made an announcement. “‘Our flight may be delayed, but Christmas is still on! Who’s with me?'” At first, everyone was too busy with their phones to respond. Then the little girl who’d noticed Everett earlier raised her hand. Another raised their hand, and then more.

Everett opened his suitcase and began planning a show—”Christmas takes a flight at Gate 29!” Everyone joined in. Some wore the hats and headbands Everett had brought, others hung the ornaments. “While the planes outside stood silent and still, Gate 29 soared with holiday spirit.” Dancing, jokes, a sing-along brought everyone together with the true spirit of the holiday. The little girl even hung a shining star on Everett’s fronds.

Seeing all the joy he’d brought to the stranded travelers, Everett discovered that he didn’t need all the fancy trappings, the celebrity, or the bright lights of the city to feel fulfilled. In fact, he knew where he belonged—spreading happiness at home—at the Sandy Straw—where he realized his destiny to be a real Christmas tree.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-everett-green-airport

Image copyright Fanny Berthiaume, 2024, text copyright Freddy Wexler, 2024. Courtesy of Random House Books for Young Readers.

As someone who grew up in South Florida, I was excited to see a story that showcases Christmas palm trees. Kids and adults, whether they live in warm climates or cold, will be charmed by Freddy Wexler’s Everett Green, who has stars in his eyes, but more importantly love, creativity, and empathy in his heart. Wexler’s humorous and sensitive storytelling is fast-paced and heartfelt. As Everett puts aside his own disappointment to rally the stranded travelers, readers receive the gift of understanding that they don’t need adoring crowds, the flash of the cameras, or celebrity status to make a positive, joyful impact—that they can shine anywhere.

Fanny Berthiaume’s vibrant illustrations are action-packed and clearly show the characters’ emotions, from Everett’s disillusionment with the Sandy Straw customers to his big dreams of stardom to his enthusiastic pluck at the airport. Berthiaume also deftly depicts the transition from distracted and inconvenienced passengers to Christmas revelers willing to participate in Everett’s holiday pageant.

Shining with the true holiday spirit that can resonate all year around, Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree is an adorable and meaningful addition to Christmas collections for home and library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Random House Books for Young Readers, 2024 | ISBN 978-0593567944

About the Author

Freddy Wexler is a Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum award-winning hit songwriter and film producer with an expansive film, TV, and animation slate. He was recently named in Variety’s Family Entertainment Impact Report List for Film and Television and included as one of the “World’s Greatest Songwriters” in Music Business Worldwide. As a songwriter, Wexler has contributed to ten Billboard #1s; his songs have been streamed billions of times and recorded by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, BlackPink, Selena Gomez, Lil Wayne, the Jonas Brothers, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Halsey, Pink, Marshmello, Shakira, Diana Ross, Enrique Iglesias, Celine Dion, Martin Garrix, Pusha T, Wyclef Jean, Tiesto, DNCE, Steve Aoki, and Avicii.

About the Illustrator

Fanny Berthiaume worked in the entertainment industry for 14 years. From miniature set builder for the National Film Board of Canada to 3D environment artist and matte painter on major Hollywood productions, she worked on a variety of exciting projects. Fanny now offers services in visual development and illustration to animation studios, publishers, and other creative businesses.

Get Ready for Christmas Tree Trimming Activity

Colorful Ornaments

These plastic ornaments swirled with colorful nail polish make the perfect decorations for your tree. Make some to give to friends too!

Supplies

Plastic ornaments, available at craft stores
Nail polish in various colors
Plastic bowl or container, deep enough to dip the ornament into the water
Drying stand – I used a clear, plastic egg carton, or string for hanging ornaments to dry

Directions

Fill the plastic container with warm to hot water

Using two or three colors, gently “paint” the water with the nail polish, using the brush or a toothpick in dots and swirls
Slowly dip the plastic ornament into the water and turn it to pick up the nail polish floating on the top of the water
To dry, place the ornament on a stand or hang with a paper plate, wax paper, or other paper to catch drips

You can purchase Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

October 15 – Get Ready for Christmas

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

There’s nothing better to get kids in the spirit of Christmas than sharing holiday stories both old and new. Packed with all the excitement and anticipation of the season, Christmas books offer humor, tradition, inspiration, and new perspectives on this favorite holiday. Stuff your stockings with pre-Christmas reads, and don’t forget that books make the perfect present for all ages!

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sharing a copy of We Wish You a Merry Christmas with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

By Julianna Swaney

Julianna Swaney gives the familiar Christmas carol We Wish You a Merry Christmas a delightful update that’s both warm and heart-swelling as a family of four and their two pooches partake in all of the traditions that make the holiday such a shining star of each year. It’s gently snowing as the family puts on their coats and leaves their townhouse for a trip to the Christmas tree lot, where they happily find “…the perfect pine tree, / With green boughs and sturdy branches. / It’s just right for fitting presents—/ Let’s take it home now!”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-we-wish-you-a-merry-christmas-neighbors

At home Dad struggles with the tangled lights, the youngest child hangs ornaments, and Mom and the older girl string popcorn. Even the dogs get in on the fun, lapping at the popcorn bowl and overseeing the proceedings. Of course, Christmas tree decorating day isn’t complete without steaming mugs of hot chocolate to enjoy while adding the final touches and admiring the twinkling tree.

All of the festivities aren’t at home, though, and the family heads outside for a special trip. “We visit the Christmas market / and whisper a wish to Santa… / It’s starting to feel like Christmas out here in the town!” And, indeed, the shops glimmer with golden light, glittery stars, and evergreen wreaths and garlands sparkling with tiny white lights. Families and friends dash here and there laden with packages to donate and to take home. There’s even a frozen pond for skating and a nearby bakery stand for sweet treats.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-we-wish-you-a-merry-christmas-town-festivities

As Christmas grows nearer, there are cookies to bake, decorate, and share as well as caroling for the neighbors. At last it’s Christmas Eve, which brings a festive celebration and dinner with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and all “the ones we hold dear.” Night falls, but that doesn’t mean the kids can sleep. It’s just too exciting reconnecting with cousins amid the anticipation of Santa’s arrival.

In the morning the cousins come downstairs to find a fire crackling in the fireplace, the milk and cookies eaten, and presents under the tree. But even in their glee, the children don’t forget you and offer “Good tidings to you, wherever you are. / We wish you a merry Christmas… / and a happy new year!”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-we-wish-you-a-merry-christmas-santa-coming

Julianna Swaney’s charming rhyming lines scan easily with the rhythm of the song We Wish You A Merry Christmas, inviting readers to either read or sing this joyful story. Her lovely action-packed and softly colored full-spread illustrations combine vintage touches with the timeless feelings of togetherness and good cheer the season brings. Swaney’s love for the holiday even—and maybe especially—in the common mishaps that later become fond and funny memories: tangled cords of Christmas tree lights, accidentally broken ornaments, messy cookie baking, and pets that just can’t help but get in on the fun.

Sure to become a Christmas classic that families will look forward to sharing throughout the season each year, We Wish You A Merry Christmas is a must addition to home, school, and public libraries.

Ages 3 months – 5

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1547614912

About the Author/Illustrator

Julianna Swaney grew up in Michigan, where she has many nice memories of magical, snowy Christmases. She has illustrated numerous books for children, including We Are the Gardeners, The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be, She Caught the Light, I Will Always Be Your Bunny, and many others. Julianna now lives in Oregon where she spends her time painting, gardening, and daydreaming. Her favorite Christmas carol is “The Holly and the Ivy.”

Get Ready for Christmas Activity

Gingerbread Kids Decorations

No time to mix up and bake a batch of gingerbread? No worries! With this cute and easy craft, kids can make gingerbread kids to decorate your Christmas tree, windows, presents, and even to give as gifts! If you’d like to learn about the history of gingerbread and its many uses, you’ll find a fascinating article by Kathleen Lange on her website Kathleen Lange’s Confectionary Chalet.

Supplies

Printable Gingerbread Girl and Boy Template
2 Brown foam sheets
White paint (or any color you like)
Glitter in two colors
Paint brush
2 Small heart buttons (optional)
Mounting squares (for mounting)
Thread and needle (for optional hanging)

Directions

Cut out gingerbread girl and boy
Trace gingerbread girl and boy on brown foam sheets
Cut out gingerbread girl and boy
Paint around the edge of the gingerbread boy and girl with the white paint
Add trim to the edge of the gingerbread girl’s dress
Add socks to the gingerbread boy
Add buttons
Add faces
Paint the hands of each figure with the paint
Sprinkle glitter on the hands to make mittens
To use as decoration attach mountable squares or with a threaded needle make a hole in the top of the figures and tie the thread to create a hanger.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-we-wish-you-a-merry-christmas-cover

You can purchase We Wish You a Merry Christmas at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

December 24 – Christmas Eve

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

While Christmas Eve traditions vary around the world, children and adults everywhere look forward to this special night of giving with its wonder and magic. Today’s book tells the story of the first Christmas with gentle beauty. I also talk with author Carole Gerber about her inspiration and her own family traditions.

Thanks go to Familius for sharing a copy of The Gifts of the Animals with me for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The Gifts of the Animals: A Christmas Tale

Written by Carole Gerber | Illustrated by Yumi Shimokawara

After the animals in a Bethlehem stable watch Joseph help Mary dismount from their donkey’s back, they go to work to prepare a place for the soon-to-be-born baby Jesus to sleep. “The ox that stands in the drafty shed / drops straw into a manger bed.” The sheep and lambs add bits of wool to make the bed “feel soft and full.”

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Image Yumi Shimokawara, 2019, text copyright Carole Gerber, 2019. Courtesy of Familius.

Using downy feathers from the sparrows, chickens, and little chicks, the mice make a plump pillow for Jesus’ head. The cow finds a blanket, and with the help of the ox they lay it over the manger. “Then in this place, humble and warm, Christ, the Prince of Peace, is born.” Mary wraps Him in swaddling clothes then Joseph lays Him in the manger to sleep.

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Image Yumi Shimokawara, 2019, text copyright Carole Gerber, 2019. Courtesy of Familius.

On a distant hillside, shepherds are startled by the brightening stars but listen to the angel who tells them of Jesus’ birth. Then the sky fills with a choir of angels singing “‘Peace on earth. Good will toward men. / Go now, shepherds, worship him.’” The shepherds hurry to Bethlehem to join in the joy of Mary, Joseph, and the gentle animals and to sing “‘Glory to our newborn king!’”

A condensed version of the Christmas story from the King James version of the book of Luke, chapter 2 follows the story.

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Image Yumi Shimokawara, 2019, text copyright Carole Gerber, 2019. Courtesy of Familius.

The wonder of that first Christmas night glows in Carole Gerber’s beautiful story that follows the animals in the stable as they make a warm and soft bed for Jesus to sleep in. Young readers will be mesmerized by the gentle generosity of the ox, cow, sheep, birds, and mice as they all work together to provide for the baby to come. As the shepherds are visited by the angels and go to worship Jesus, Gerber uses the lyrical language and flowing cadence of the King James version of the biblical story to create a tender and glorious read aloud for the whole family.

Yumi Shimokawara’s gorgeous, soft-hued illustrations are breathtaking in their detail and inspiration. Pride, fellowship, and diligence shine on the animals’ faces as they create a manger bed worthy of the baby Jesus. Realistic and traditional images of the stone stable, the shepherds and their flock blend poignantly with the depiction of the singing angels that could come from any diverse modern choir. The final illustration in which the animals and the shepherds gather around Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in adoration reveals the promise and hope of the true meaning of Christmas.

Sure to become a favorite Christmas story to share year after year, The Gifts of the Animals would be a beloved addition to home bookshelves and a beautiful inclusion for library collections.

Ages 3 – 8

Familius, 2019 | ISBN 978-1641701594

Discover more about Carole Gerber and her books on her website.

You can find more books from Familius that joyfully reflect the habits of happy families, including reading, talking, laughing, eating, working, loving, healing, learning, and playing together as well as the Familius blog The Habit Hub here.

A Chat with Carole Gerber

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Poet and author Carole Gerber has written sixteen picture books, three chapter books, and more than one hundred elementary science and reading texts for major publishers. Her picture book, A Band of Babies, was named a 2017 Best Book for Children by Amazon editors. She holds a BS in English education and an MA in journalism from Ohio State, and has taught middle school and high school English as well as college news writing and factual writing at OSU.

Hi Carole! I’m excited to be sharing Christmas Eve with you and your Christmas classic. I’m sure readers would love to know what inspired you to write The Gifts of the Animals.

In my random travels around the Internet, I came across a site called “The Hymns and Carols of Christmas.” One post contained the words to a song called “The Friendly Beasts.” The notes said “This song originally hails from a 12^th century Latin song,” which was later known in England as “The Animal Carol.” It began: “Jesus our brother kind and good/was humbly born in a stable rude/and the friendly beasts around him stood/Jesus our brother, kind and good.” Here’s one more verse: “I,” said the cow all white and red / “I gave Him my manger for His bed;/I gave him my hay to pillow his head.”/ “I,” said the cow all white and red.

The song also mentions a dove cooing Jesus to sleep, the sheep giving him a blanket. It ends: “Thus every beast by some good spell/in the stable dark was glad to tell/of the gift he gave Emmanuel/The gift he gave Emmanuel.” What I wrote sounds nothing like the original, but it gave me the idea that sparked my story. I then developed my story into a 32-page picture book by including Mary and Joseph, other animals with useful gifts, the angels announcing the birth, and the arrival of the shepherds.

“The Animal Carol” sounds lovely. Do you know if it’s still performed?

After the book went to press, I found that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir had performed the exact words of the original song. There’s a YouTube video that lasts about six minutes. I had no idea that it was famous! A man named Brian Stokes Mitchell was the main singer. He and the choir actually tweet and baa, making some of the animal sounds.

Such a feeling of peace and love flows through your book. How do you go about choosing words and phrasing and even the poetic form to create that mood?

I wrote and revised it many times, of course. But I never felt frustrated and truly did feel peaceful and loving as I wrote. The art director, David Miles, was great to work with. We brainstormed about other animals that would live in a stable and might contribute to preparing the manger. I came up with mice to carry the feathers from the birds perched on the rafters. Nothing appropriate rhymes with “manger” so I came up with “ox” to rhyme with “manger box.” A sweet result of involving more animals (besides getting enough pages to fill the book) was that they all worked cooperatively.

The Gifts of the Animals is absolutely gorgeous, from the glowing gold-embossed cover to the images of the gentle animals that are happily helping to the jubilant angels that mirror a modern choir. Can you tell me about Yumi Shimokawara and how she was chosen to illustrate your book?

David Miles met her at the Bologna Book Fair in 2017, and was absolutely blown away by her talent. She lives in Japan and had won many awards, including the grand prize at her art school. Yumi had written and illustrated several books published in Japan. My favorite title is Potsu, posu, potsu daijobu, which translates in English to Plip-plop, Plip-plop, Plip-plop, Are You All Right? The title makes me smile. Yumi is not fluent in English so she worked with a Japanese friend who helped her translate David’s emails containing art directions. She did the cover first and it is beautiful. But she had given the baby blond hair and pale skin. My comment was, “We can’t have Jesus looking Swedish!” David replied, “No worries. I will fix this with Photoshop.” He darkened the baby’s hair and skin a bit and directed Yumi as she worked on the interior pages, to make all the people more authentically Middle Eastern.

Each spread is so beautiful on its own, but do you have a favorite? What makes that illustration special to you?

I love how happy and expressive the animals are, especially in the last spread when the people and animals are gathered around the Holy Family. Jesus is not the only baby in that picture. Yumi put baby chicks in that spread, too, which makes it even more touching. I also smile at the inside cover page, which has at the bottom an adorable illustration of a small choir of mice and birds. One little mouse is clasping his paws as he sings his heart out.

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Image Yumi Shimokawara, 2019, text copyright Carole Gerber, 2019. Courtesy of Familius.

At the end of your story you include a condensed version of Chapter 2 from the Biblical book of Luke in the King James Version. How did you choose which version of the story to include?

I earned a King James Bible when I was about eight years old as a reward for attending Sunday School for 10 Sundays straight. Ever since, I have loved the grandeur of the language in the King James Bible. Compare the words between the King James and The New International Version.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.”

The New International Version of the Bible states:

“and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

No guest room available? It sounds like what a desk clerk in a motel would say. Bah!

What is one of your favorite family Christmas traditions?

Every time I get a new book published, my husband makes a Christmas tree ornament of the cover. This started years ago when my daughter Jess was in middle school. She secretly used my husband’s power tools – EEEK! – to cut to size a small piece of plywood on which she glued a small photocopied cover of one of my first published books. She put a doll house size clothes hanger on the back to attach it to the tree. After that, every Christmas, the last things we put on our tree are the miniature covers of my books.

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What a sweet and supportive tradition! It’s such a nice idea to adapt with photos or drawings for any family wanting to celebrate achievements from the past year. Thanks so much for this chat, Carole! I wish you all the best with The Gifts of the Animals and a very Merry Christmas with your family.

Christmas Eve Activity

Tell the Good News! Word Search Puzzle

Find the sixteen words about the first Christmas in this printable puzzle.

Tell the Good News! Word Search Puzzle | Tell the Good News! Word Search Solution

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Picture Book Review

December 16 – It’s National Write a Friend Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

For kids who celebrate Christmas, there’s no friend they’d rather write to in December than Santa Claus. Their list of things they’d like for themselves and often for family and friends too can include the practical, the impossible, and the poignant. Today’s featured month-long holiday also encourages people to catch up with family and friends who may be far away by sending a card or letter. Hearing from a friend, a grandchild, a niece, nephew, or other young relative can warm up any winter day.

The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold

Written by Maureen Fergus | Illustrated by Cale Atkinson

One snowy night close to Christmas, Mrs. Claus was doing the mending while Santa was moping. Even though Mrs. Claus asked Santa what was wrong, he couldn’t bring himself to tell her. Finally, he ventured, “‘Well, you know Harold?’” Mrs. Claus smiled and launched into a detailed description of the little boy, but Santa stopped her mid-sentence and choked out, “‘You don’t need to keep pretending on my account because…because…I don’t believe in Harold anymore.’” Mrs. Claus couldn’t believe her ears.