Authors explore the gift of kindness with new titles.Snow Bunny’s Christmas Wish By Rebecca Harry Best for: Ages 4-8
This very sweet Christmas tale is about little Snow Bunny and her one wish—for a friend. Although she whistles happy tunes in her home in the forest, she is quite lonely. She decides to ask Santa for a friend, but the mail has just been picked up. She decides to follow the North Star and deliver the letter herself. She packs a bag of useful odds and ends then proceeds to follow the star. Along the way, she discovers a bear cub in need of mittens, a fox in need of tree decorations and lost deer in need of a map. It sure is a good thing Snow Bunny packed just those things in her bag.
This celebration of kindness and friendship is perfect for holiday bedtime reading. The illustrations, accented with sparkling silver, create a dreamy quality that will enchant young children. If you want this same message of giving and kindness for slightly older children, pick up a copy of Sieger’s The Fourth King.
What’s good: The charming illustrations will keep children entranced. What’s bad: Older children will be bored with the tale. The Christmas ABC By Florence Johnson, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin Rico the Brave Sock Monkey By Fiona Rempt, illustrated by Noelle Smit Robots, Robots, Everywhere! By Sue Fliess, illustrated by Bob Staake
Best for: Ages 2-5
A Little Golden Book is always a safe bet for younger children. Whether you are looking at a reprint of a classic or checking out a new story, you can’t go wrong with this long-running series.
The Christmas ABC is definitely a classic. This early ’60s tale offers a retro feel in both illustration and verse, but it still spreads cheer and excitement as you think about all the different aspects of Christmas–from A to Z.
Rico the Brave Sock Monkey is but a couple years old but carries the Little Golden Book mantle well. This story of love, friendship and devotion to a stuffed animal is very fun and quite touching. Kids who have seen Toy Story will have some experience with the plot.
Robots, Robots, Everywhere! is one of the newest Little Golden Books to hit bookstores and is a great addition to the series. This fun story covers everything robots–from toys to rescue robots and everything in between.
All three titles are sure to bring smiles to young faces and encourage parents to look through the stacks for their childhood favorite Golden Book.
What’s good: New tales are intriguing and affordable. What’s bad: Some of the classic tales look and feel dated. Lena’s Sleep Sheep By Anita Lobel Best for: Girls, ages 3-5
The holidays can be a difficult time for children to fall asleep, but a good relaxing book can help them off to dreamland. Lobel, illustrator of On Market Street and author of Nini Lost and Found, sets out to create a cozy tale for bedtime. There are a full moon and loving parents, a comfy bed and stuffed animals. And like many kids, little Lena has a bedtime ritual that helps her fall asleep. She counts her sheep.
Unfortunately, Lena’s silly sheep won’t come out for her to count because they are afraid of the moon, thinking he is a big monster. Lena tries to talk them through it. Then the clever girl disguises them in her clothes, but they are too clumsy to be soothing. The moon finally ducks behind some clouds, and the sheep line up to be counted. Lena doesn’t even make it to 12 before she is fast asleep. Maybe it will work on your children, too.
What’s good: Children will enjoy the silly sheep. What’s bad: A little hectic to be a soothing bedtime story.
And two for older kids…
The Field of Wacky Inventions By Patrick Carman Best for: Boys, ages 8-13
The thrilling conclusion to the “Floors” trilogy takes Leo and Remi to Merganzer D. Whippet’s private estate. Mr. Whippet has gathered the managers of all his hotels to see them play out a very large and very strange game to see who will take over his hotel empire. Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets The Potato Chip Puzzles. Between the mini-dinosaurs and the crazy theme park, children will love to let their imaginations run free while reading this adventure.
What’s good: A quick read with creativity to spare. What’s bad: The plot is a little thin compared to the first two books in the trilogy. The Lost Kingdom By Matthew J. Kirby Best for: Boys, ages 9-14
What if things were just a little different? In The Lost Kingdom, we follow Billy Bartram and his father in the days that would precede what we know as the Revolutionary War. Only in this history, Benjamin Franklin and his band of rebels are actually trying to gather resources to fight the French. This tale also includes a flying airship, a giant beast called a bear-wolf and a missing Welsh civilization that has been in America for hundreds of years. Plus the exploration and adventure ends in a mighty battle. It’s a unique twist that may just keep you turning the page to the end.
What’s good: Interesting characters and intriguing twist on history. What’s bad: The story of the lost civilization seems to get lost—and is unfulfilled in the end.