On Christmas Eve, the Three Bears are making final preparations for Christmas. The gingerbread bears have just come out of the oven, but they are too hot. The family decides to go for a walk while the cookies are cooling. After enjoying the sights and sounds of the outdoors, the bears come home to find there has been a special visitor in their home.
This is a perfect bedtime story to use during the holiday season. It features all of the familiar elements of Christmas from gingerbread cookies to reindeer and has each one saying good night to either Mommy of Daddy in his/her own special way. The illustrations in this book are of particular note and provide much for little ones to enjoy.
Santa Comes to Little House is actually a chapter taken from the series that has been illustrated and made into a Christmas picture book. Our daughter saw this at the library and was very excited about reading it. It did not disappoint. The illustrations bring the Christmas celebration of the Ingalls family to life. The genuine joy and thankfulness Mary and Laura display for their relatively simple Christmas surprises (a tin cup, a candy cane, a small cake, and a penny) provide a wonderful opportunity for discussion.
You Are My Miracle is a sweet celebration of the parent and child relationship which focuses on preparations for Christmas. The story is told in rhyming verse, and includes lovely illustrations.
Olive, the Other Reindeer is a delight. Olive is really a dog, but she becomes confused while listening to Christmas music as she is wrapping presents. Rather than hearing about: “…all of the other reindeer…”, Olive hears her own version of the lyrics: “Olive, the other reindeer…”. Although she was certain she was a dog, Olive doesn’t want to disappoint Santa, and she immediately heads to the North Pole. Before long, it is clear that Santa really does need the special skills that only Olive can provide.
God Gave Us Christmas begins with Little Cub asking his Mama about who “invented” Christmas. The Little Cub wonders if it might be Santa. Mama Bear explains that God invented Christmas and ultimately takes a journey with Little Cub in order to let him see that God is everywhere and how He gave us Christmas.
I really appreciate how this book directly addresses why we celebrate Christmas but also includes an explanation about Santa:
“Did God give us Santa?”
“Santa Claus reminds us about many good things like generosity and care. But it is God and Jesus that we celebrate most come Christmas.”
God Gave Us Christmas is a sweet and wonderful Christmas book which includes beautiful illustrations.
A Magical Christmas is a lovely story written in rhyme. Little Mouse wants to know what exactly is the magic of Christmas. In order to find the answer he goes and asks each member of his family, but each family member has a different answer. Finally on Christmas Day Mommy Mouse shares with Little Mouse that all the answers were correct because…”The magic is love, Little Mouse.”
The illustrations in this book are particularly noteworthy. They are simply beautiful. Each page includes sections that are gently enhanced with glitter which truly bring the illustration to life.
Froggy’s Best Christmas is a cute tale that highlights the Christmas celebration Froggy has with his friends and family all of whom awaken from hibernation in order to enjoy the festivities. In usual “Froggy style”, things don’t go quite as planned, but in the end everyone enjoys a Merry Christmas.
A Merry Little Christmas highlights Gregory Mouse’s preparations for Christmas with his family and friends. An added treat regarding this book is the fact that it is an ABC book. The reader learns about everything from angels to the zillion ways Christmas brings cheer and every holiday delight in between. As one might expect from Mary Engelbreit, the joy of season in captured beautifully in the lovely illustrations. A lovely Christmas book which is a family favorite at our home!
Winter is the Warmest Season does a terrific job of highlighting all of the special cozy elements of winter from jackets filled with feathers and warm sweaters to hot chocolate and beds piled high with blankets and quilts. The use of a child narrator enhances the description of the comparison between summer and winter and why winter really is the warmest season. Additionally, the pictures in this book are beautiful and truly enhance the story. This is a delightful tale that would make a great read aloud.