Synopses & Reviews
and#8220;A well-timed reminder that small bodies can hold big hearts.and#8221;and#8212;Kirkus Reviews and#8220;Yeeand#8217;s rhyming text bounces along effortlessly, while amusing details in the cheery watercolors . . . add to the holiday fun.and#8221;and#8212;Horn Book and#8220;Readers will enjoy the same easy-flowing, rhyming text, nicely paced tension, and comical, charming watercolor cartoons found in the previous Fireman Small titles.and#8221;and#8212;School Library Journal
Itand#8217;s Christmas Eve, and Fireman Small has had a busy dayand#8212;he helped Mayor Mole find a Christmas tree, and he decorated it from tip to toe. When he arrives back at Firehouse Nine, all Fireman Small wants is a good nightand#8217;s sleep before Christmas morning.
But a crash and a muffled ho-ho-ho suddenly wake him up. Rushing downstairs, Fireman Small discovers that he has a big problem on his hands.
Join Fireman Small as he takes to the snow-covered streets to save Christmas the best way he knows how. With him at the reins, it may not be reindeer hooves that you hear on your rooftop.
Review
"Vivasand#8217; delicate, sure watercolors are a reminder that the humbleness of these people made the event more extraordinary--that the story is not only about the long ago and far away but about people with familiar joys and troubles."--
Kirkus ReviewsReview
"Great fun."and#8212;Publishers Weekly "Wildly fanciful, swirling, colorful illustrations make this story even more magical."and#8212;Childrenand#8217;s Literature
Review
After all, dragons just happen to be perfect friend material.
Jerdine Nolen and Elise Primavera team up for the unforgettable story of a young girl and her best friend . . . a dragon.
Includes fun new book-related activities!
Why hatch chicks when you can raise dragons?
"A joyous tale of friendship and adventure."--School Library Journal
"This magical tale of friendship will send youngsters scurrying to find (or invent) a dragon of their own."--Los Angeles Times
[star]"Enchanting . . . Youngsters will hanker to go on this journey; it will set their imaginations soaring."--Publishers Weekly(starred review)
Review
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year "A promising bid for holiday bestsellerdom"and#151;Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Holiday magic abounds."and#151;Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
"Appelt's rhyming text provides the strong, spare framework of this satisfying picture book while leaving plenty of space for the illustrator to create the setting and the mood. Goodell takes full advantage of the opportunity, using oil and acrylic to paint a series of beautiful scenes showing many facets of a town in full pre-Christmas bustle. Studded with intriguing details, these narrative pictures lead up to a quiet yet satisfying climax."--Booklist and#160; "The simple story exudes the warmth of the holidays on each page."--Children's Literatureand#160;
Review
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year An IRA Children's Choice An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner A Nick Jr. Magazine Best Book of the Year and#160; [set star] "Exuberant. . . . Children eagerly anticipating Christmas will thoroughly enjoy this rowdy holiday celebration and its behind-the-scenes, personalized look at a diligent, devoted Santa."--Booklist, starred review and#160; [set star] "The magic here lies in Frazee's effortlessly clever, detailed illustrations; she delivers the exact right book for the exact right season."--Horn Book, starred review and#160; [set star] "A delight."--Publishers Weekly, starred review and#160; [set star] "Anyone who thinks Santa is idle or frivolous in the off-season will be proven wrong by this amusing behind-the-scenes portrayal of a man who's very much a child at heart. . . . A fresh and fun look at the big guy."--School Library Journal, starred review and#160; "A new twist on the usual bustling North Pole scene."--New York Times Book Review
Review
"Extraordinarily expressive . . . children . . . will thoroughly enjoy this rowdy holiday celebration."
Review
"He tests mechanical toys, bonds with stuffed animals, wraps everything and then carefully selects the right toy for every child."
Review
"Frazee takes a peek into all of St. Nick's thorough - but oh, so fun - work..."
Review
"A master at creating scenes and moods, ... readers will want to explore repeatedly."
Review
"Effortlessly clever . . . Frazee delivers the exact right book for the exact right season."
Review
"Legions of little monster fans will find this innovation more fun than the original."--
Kirkus Reviews"Gigglishly ghoulish."--Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
It's getting toward Christmas at the Bing Cherry Hotel, and Auntie Claus is preparing for her annual "business trip." Just before she is ready to leave, her favorite nephew, Christopher Kringle, begins to have doubts about the family business. To settle the matter, Auntie Claus summons Chris for tea, but like any self-respecting Kringle, Chris decides to take matters into his own hands: He plans to get on the Bad-Boys-and-Girls List on purpose! Even after his older sister, Sophie, reveals that their great-aunt, Auntie Claus, is really Santa's sister, Chris needs to see for himself, in order to believe.
In this companion to the much loved Auntie Claus, come along on a magical journey with Sophie Kringle's little brother, Chris, to a place you may have seen only in your dreams. And discover that anything is possible, when you have the key to Christmas!
Synopsis
A republished edition of one of our backlist Christmas classics
Synopsis
The biblical story of the Nativity is one about faith, love--and a miracle. With illustrations that are enchanting and unexpected, Julie Vivas reveals the human side to Mary's story, beautifully imagining the Angel Gabriel delivering the news to her, the exhausting journey with Joseph to Bethlehem, and at last the deliverance of the baby Jesus.
Synopsis
Auntie Claus is back in this heartwarming story where Christopher Kringle learns the family secret, and that the key to Christmas is to believe.
Synopsis
With honesty and grace, award-winning author Francisco Jimand#233;nez shares his most poignant Christmas memory in this beautifully illustrated picture book. As Christmas approaches, Panchito canand#8217;t wait to see what present he gets. But on Christmas Day, he is disappointed when all he gets is a bag of candy, until he sees the gift his father gives his mother. Panchito then realizes that gifts of the heart are the most precious of all.
Synopsis
Everyone knows the famous words: and#147;and#145;Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house . . .and#8221; Clement C. Mooreand#8217;s famous poem was written in 1822 and has been a holiday classic ever since. This edition, with gorgeous illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith, was first published in 1912 and is considered by many to be the definitive version of the story.
Synopsis
As a young Japanese boy recovers from a bad chill, his mother busily folds origami paper into delicate silver cranes in preparation for the boy's very first Christmas.
Synopsis
Auntie Claus is just another eccentric New Yorker--or is she? Young Sophie has often wondered about her unusual great-aunt, Auntie Claus. She lives in penthouse 25C at the Bing Cherry Hotel and is
so curioso! After all, Auntie Claus serves Christmas cookies all year long and her tree is always the best-decorated in the city. And then there's her annual "business trip," right around the holidays. This year Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of Auntie Claus's mysterious ways. Put on your mittens and bundle up for an adventure beyond your wildest dreams.
Ho, ho, ho!Synopsis
An enterprising crow creates a unique Christmas tree in this heartwarming holiday story.
Synopsis
A broken chain, a piece of string, a bottle cap . . . To most people, these things are useless trash. But to a clever crow, they're just what he needs to create a special surprise--a beautiful Christmas tree that everyone can treasure.
Told in jaunty rhyme by Kathi Appelt and lavishly illustrated by Jon Goodell, this heartwarming story of people brought together by a very unexpected artist has all the makings of a Christmas classic.
Synopsis
Aand#160;playful glimpse into the life of Santa Claus--nowand#160;in an adorable stocking stuffer edition!and#160;
Synopsis
How does Santa know how to match the exact right toy with the exact right kid every December?
He knows because he's the world's number one kid and toy and gift expert, and he works long, long hours the whole year through, taking notes, compiling his research, thinking and testing and changing his mind. Then, at last, he gets it all figured out, and on Christmas morning, he makes magic happen.
Celebrated author-illustrator Marla Frazee's fresh, lively take on a traditional subject is sure to become a favorite with young believers everywhere. With delicious humorous moments and a warm, unexpected ending, this book is truly a Christmas treat, one that begs to be read aloud and savored year after year.
Synopsis
A warm and hilarious bedtime story for
all little creatures!
Synopsis
On the night before Christmas at the old haunted house, not a creature is stirring, until . . .
"Aroo-roo!" Someone steps on the werewolf and wakes him, but
who? He's blaming the manticore, who's blaming the cat, who's blaming the zombie, who points to the bat. Help! Luckily, dear Santa Mouse knows the perfect solution to calming and quieting all the confusion.
The clever team that created The House That Drac Built puts a fresh and funny spin on Christmas!
About the Author
How does Santa know how to match the exact right toy with the exact right kid every December?
He knows because he's the world's number one kid and toy and gift expert, and he works long, long hours the whole year through, taking notes, compiling his research, thinking and testing and changing his mind. Then, at last, he gets it all figured out, and on Christmas morning, he makes magic happen.
Celebrated author-illustrator Marla Frazee's fresh, lively take on a traditional subject is sure to become a favorite with young believers everywhere. With delicious humorous moments and a warm, unexpected ending, this book is truly a Christmas treat, one that begs to be read aloud and savored year after year.
Aand#160;playful glimpse into the life of Santa Claus--nowand#160;in an adorable stocking stuffer edition!and#160;
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the YearAn IRA Children's ChoiceAn Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award WinnerA Nick Jr. Magazine Best Book of the Yearand#160;[set star] "Exuberant. . . . Children eagerly anticipating Christmas will thoroughly enjoy this rowdy holiday celebration and its behind-the-scenes, personalized look at a diligent, devoted Santa."--Booklist,starred reviewand#160;[set star] "The magic here lies in Frazee's effortlessly clever, detailed illustrations; she delivers the exact right book for the exact right season."--Horn Book,starred reviewand#160;[set star] "A delight."--Publishers Weekly,starred reviewand#160;[set star] "Anyone who thinks Santa is idle or frivolous in the off-season will be proven wrong by this amusing behind-the-scenes portrayal of a man who's very much a child at heart. . . . A fresh and fun look at the big guy."--School Library Journal,starred reviewand#160;"A new twist on the usual bustling North Pole scene."--New York Times Book Review"Extraordinarily expressive . . . children . . . will thoroughly enjoy this rowdy holiday celebration.""He tests mechanical toys, bonds with stuffed animals, wraps everything and then carefully selects the right toy for every child.""Frazee takes a peek into all of St. Nicks thorough - but oh, so fun - work...""A master at creating scenes and moods, ... readers will want to explore repeatedly.""Effortlessly clever . . . Frazee delivers the exact right book for the exact right season."MARLA FRAZEE has illustrated many picture books, includingEverywhere Babiesby Susan Meyers;Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild!by Mem Fox; and her ownRoller Coaster. She lives in Pasadena, California.