On the Third Day of Christmas...

... we read more holiday books!

Hey, You’re NOT Santa! By Ethan T. Berlin:
Santa forgot a present! He invites a nearby cow to wear the suit and stand in for him until he can get back from the North Pole with it. But don't let the kids know the secret!

Okay, this book is ridiculously silly, but kids will love it just because it is so very silly. Grownups might even get a chuckle out of it too. I thought it was funny. Four Stars.

A Christmas for Bear by Bonny Becker:
Bear is determined to give a Christmas party this year complete with Christmas pickles and the reading of a long and difficult poem. But not gifts. Who needs gifts? His hopeful friend, Mouse, has other ideas for the holiday, however.

I really, really wanted to like this one. I mean Christmas pickles… how do you go wrong with that really? The idea felt solid. And it is a cute book, no doubt. It feels a little stilted in spots like the author is trying to force it to do things it doesn't really want to do. It’s also a little longer so may be best for slightly older kids. However, these two characters are part of a series, so if it's a winner for your house, you can snag the rest of them at your local library. Three Stars.

Stowaway in a Sleigh by C. Roger Mader:
Cats will do what cats will do. And this cat naturally had to investigate that huge red sack.

I loved the concept of this book - the idea is adorable. The text is short and simple, and the story overall was cute. This is one I think would have been fun expanded a bit, but it works well as it is. Great for kiddos who love their kitties and is simple enough for younger listeners to stay engaged. Four stars.

 

5 More Sleeps Til Christmas by Jimmy Fallon:
One kiddo counting down the sleeps until Christmas, but sleeping is SO HARD when you’re this excited!

On the plus side, the illustrations in this book are absolutely adorable and our MC's excitement is palpable. Every kid who has ever waited for Santa will be able to relate to it. The rhyme scheme falters pretty notably in a few spots, significantly enough that it cost the book a star on my end, but overall, this one is worth picking up and reading to your very excitable youngster. Three stars.

Tiny Reindeer by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
A very unusual reindeer grants a very unusual Christmas wish.

At Christmas, we read tons of Christmas stories to our kids because that’s what everyone wants to do. If you’re one of those families that reads a different book every night, and you need 24 Christmas books, or if you're just looking for something different than the standard stories, this one may fit the bill. It was a fun little story that did not stand out either positively or negatively to me. I’d read it if I needed a filler, or to a kindergarten class because it's unique. It might pair well with Santa, Please Bring Me a Gnome. Two stars.

How to Hide a Lion at Christmas by Helen Stephens:
Iris is going to be very lonely without her lion this Christmas when her family goes on vacation and leaves him behind. Undaunted, he sets off in search of her but when mishaps and misadventures befall him, he may need a little Christmas magic to find his way.

This is the second book of the series, so many kids will welcome the return of this unlikely duo. Those just being introduced will still enjoy the hijinks and even adults may crack a smile. Another good filler story to broaden your reading net. Three Stars.

Santa's Secret by Denise Brennan-Nelson
One little girl notices that the Santa she sees in all the stores and parades is not always the same. Armed with her notebook and a barrage of questions, she sets out to uncover the truth. But a surprise encounter later that her grandmother's wisdom is on point: "It's Santa's secret. Just as it should be."

I was prepared to dislike this story, not least over the rhyme scheme, which is decent but felt very young for the complexity of the story. However, I was surprised and pleased by several aspects of the resolution, which ended up making the overall premise work pretty well. It would work well for slightly older children, who are starting to pay attention to the holes in Santa's story, but aren't quite ready to give up their belief yet. Three stars.

Maple & Willow's Christmas Tree by Lori Nichols
Maple & Willow are getting a real Christmas tree for the first time when they discover Maple is allergic.

The stories in this series are all very simple and cute and sweet. This one is no different. I wouldn’t call it a holiday standout, but it’s a fun story to read. Fans of the series will love it, and newcomers will probably still find it appealing. Three stars.

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illus. by Jon Klassen
For every child who has questioned the magic of Santa, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen have detailed the possibilities, the doubts, the ideas and everything in between.

What can I say? Do NOT miss this book. Barnett and Klassen have been taking the picture book world by storm for years and they do not disappoint here at all. This book is hilarious and heartwarming at the same time, from Santa hanging out in his boxers while his suit gets clean in your washer to the unlikely possibility that he just turns himself into fire to go down the chimney. Brand-new for 2023 and perfect for reading aloud, this one is sure to be around for a long time. Your family will want to add it to their regular Christmas reads without delay. Five stars.

A World of Cookies for Santa: Follow Santa's Tasty Trip Around the World by M.E. Furman
Starting at Christmas Island, follow Santa on his journey all around the world and see what traditional treats, cookies, snacks and other goodies and traditions he will meet at each stop along the way. Nonfiction; includes recipes.

I love, love, love the premise of this book -- what a great idea! The illustrations are great and not only do we get to learn about the treats Santa eats, but we get so many other small cultural traditions - games, foods, names for Santa and traditions surrounding his visits around the world. I was a little disappointed so few of the many treats had their recipes included, but most are easy to find online if you or your child wants to give them a try. I do think the author and publisher missed a great opportunity for engagement here; a website is set up for more information but it looks like it was never really completed and has very little additional content. However, the book is sure to be a hit, especially if taste-testing is involved. Five Stars.