Disclaimer: This librarian is super-picky about seasonal books. These are one person's honest opinions that are not personal in any way, and recognize that for every book there is a reader, and for every reader, a book. I appreciate all the hard work authors and illustrators put into publishing their books. We wouldn't have libraries without you!
That said, on with today's reads:
The Tooth Fairy Vs. Santa by Jamie L.B. Deenihan
Blue has been training his whole life to be a tooth fairy. When his final exam falls on Christmas Eve, Blue isn't worried. But a chance encounter with a Santa determined not to share the night puts all of Blue's dreams at risk. Who will win the right to stay at Veda's house and give gifts?
The concept is novel and could have been very fun. There are many, MANY tooth puns to satisfy every dad-joke lover out there, and a couple of insider jokes that read more for adults ("May the floss be with you!") However, story reads shallow and expository, especially in the beginning and has an underdeveloped feel reminiscent of children writing stories in school. It resolves a little too tidily. Perhaps most disconcerting is the depiction of a jealous, cranky Santa unwilling to share Christmas Eve and his position as gift-giver, which this librarian found off-putting and implausible. However, some kids will enjoy the story and the highly cartoony illustrations. Two stars.
The concept is novel and could have been very fun. There are many, MANY tooth puns to satisfy every dad-joke lover out there, and a couple of insider jokes that read more for adults ("May the floss be with you!") However, story reads shallow and expository, especially in the beginning and has an underdeveloped feel reminiscent of children writing stories in school. It resolves a little too tidily. Perhaps most disconcerting is the depiction of a jealous, cranky Santa unwilling to share Christmas Eve and his position as gift-giver, which this librarian found off-putting and implausible. However, some kids will enjoy the story and the highly cartoony illustrations. Two stars.
Santa is ready to go but the reindeer are all off about their own business. Only a very special story time will get them prepared to take flight!
This book was not what I was anticipating at all; I was expecting more a "how Santa got his start" type of story. This one is a very short and simple book with brief text, but some elevated vocabulary. It is cute enough for filler, even if it lacks the depth and heart to sustain itself as a classic. Three stars.
Dino-Christmas by Lisa Wheeler
The dinosaurs get themselves and the town ready for the big Christmas parade in this fast-paced, rhyming tale of holiday mayhem and exuberant celebration.
Lisa Wheeler has roared her way into the hearts of many a young dinosaur-loving child with her Dino-Sports series, and this expansion to her domain will be well-received by her fans. For dinosaur enthusiasts, this book will hit home simply because of the vast number of dinosaurs within. The illustrations are colorful and attractive, and the artist has hidden many really humorous bits inside them. (T-rex trying to make a snow angel is this librarian's favorite.) And Santa has a surprise for those naughty Ptero twins. However, the rhyme scheme often feels forced, particularly when it truncates dinosaur names to work, and the story feels lost to the rhymes. Two stars.
Evie's Christmas Wishes by Siobhan Parkinson
A story that captures one little girl's excitement as she and her family involve themselves in the festivities and traditions leading up to Christmas.
First of all, the illustrations in this book are just beautiful. Children will be drawn to the rich detail and vibrant colors that make a cold, snowy season warm and inviting. The text is sparse, only a sentence or two a page, and feels extremely episodic -- the book is more a snapshot of moments during the holiday season than an actual narrative leading up to a resolution. Some things do resolve simply such as Evie's wish for a reindeer, and finding a reindeer ornament, and the weather changing to snow, while others are simply wishful statements that capture Evie's hopes and Christmas wishes. While it doesn't quite fit the category of "story," the book is a cozy walk through the holiday that most families will enjoy reading at least once. Three stars.
The Christmas Owl by Ellen Kalish
Based on the true story of Rocky, a saw-whet owl, this book recounts the tale of a little owl trapped inside her tree when it is cut down to become the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center.
What makes this story so charming is that it is based in truth, and children who like the story can learn more about Rocky in the back of the book or on the web. Because of this foundation, Christmas Owl might well become a family tradition. It is a sweet story and worth reading. Recognizing that the author is the wildlife rehabilitator who handled the Christmas owl might encourage more sophisticated readers to overlook the unnecessary anthropomorphism and the attempt to force the story into deeper meaning that it did not need. This librarian would also have very much enjoyed experiencing the owl's reaction to her home decorated as the glorious Rockefeller Christmas tree, a plot point that was made much of as Rocky returned to visit, but then completely glossed over. Three stars.
Santa Baby by Jonathan Stutzman
An old and achy Santa calls on the Christmas magic to make him young again. And it does... TOO young. It turns him into a baby, and now he and the elves must figure out how to ensure children around the world will still get their presents on schedule. But how will baby Santa ever get all those presents delivered when he can't even talk yet?
An old and achy Santa calls on the Christmas magic to make him young again. And it does... TOO young. It turns him into a baby, and now he and the elves must figure out how to ensure children around the world will still get their presents on schedule. But how will baby Santa ever get all those presents delivered when he can't even talk yet?
This one created very mixed feelings. The idea was hilarious and much of the execution was also. The illustrations are comical and both children and adults will enjoy seeing the elves try to figure out how to help a very determined baby. However, the writing is mediocre, at best. Santa seems to bounce back and forth between being an infant and being an adult trapped in an infant's body, and the book frequently has the feel of the overly expository "tell-don't-show" writing. The ending was disappointing; it felt saccharine, tacked on, and victim of the ubiquitous "Love conquers all" trope, along with the logical flaw of Santa not being able to simply wish himself back to normal, albeit healthier. The book will get a laugh and is fine for filler content, but is better checked out from the library than purchased. Two stars.
Santa Claus Vs. the Easter Bunny by Fred Blunt
The Easter Bunny is fed up with Santa (his next-door neighbor). Santa has a workshop, a whole team of elves to help him make toys, and a team of flying reindeer to help him deliver them. The Easter Bunny has to do everything himself and never even gets treats or a thank-you from the children of the world. Until one Christmas when he decides to get even with both Santa and the kids.
Okay, firstly, kids with a drier sense of humor will probably find this book hilarious. The illustrations are fun and kid-friendly, if slightly cluttered. Adults may find the portrayal of a grinchy, vengeful Easter Bunny to be a bit much, even if he does have some valid points about the differences between his job and Santa's. Truthfully, the plot to get revenge on Santa et al felt a bit out of left field, as the bunny is jealous of Santa but has not actually suffered any wrong at his hands. The resolution is a bit deus ex machina and over-the-top, but there will be kids out there who still enjoy this holiday jaunt. Two stars.
Santa's Present Hunt by Mieke Goethals
Santa is visiting with his helpers, leaving presents and trying to keep everyone out of mischief. Can you find all the gifts? Can you spot his helpers? Can you see all the things that have changed by the time Santa leaves? This Christmas seek-and-find will keep your littles busy through long car rides and lots of holiday preparation.
Santa is visiting with his helpers, leaving presents and trying to keep everyone out of mischief. Can you find all the gifts? Can you spot his helpers? Can you see all the things that have changed by the time Santa leaves? This Christmas seek-and-find will keep your littles busy through long car rides and lots of holiday preparation.
While this has a skeleton story to it, the main purpose of this book is the seek-and-find element. Children's attention is drawn to various elements of the home during Santa's visit and asked to find his helper mice. Then they discover the Christmas list and hunt for all the presents Santa left, as well as being asked to examine certain differences in the home in each illustration. The concept is good and parts of this book are very funny - the mice in particular get into some very creative trouble. The illustrations are cute, although the items the reader is searching for are usually quite small. Some children may prefer to journey through the book with their grownup. Don't look for an endearing tale here, and grownups will be ready to leave this book behind long before their children are. However, for children who can spend repeat time with a book independently, this one promises to keep them busy over and over again.
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