Our Favorite Christmas Picture Books

Just last year, I decided we'd read a different Christmas picture book every day the entire month of December with our daughter. Ideally I would wrap them all up to open. After about 5 days of trying to wrap them on the fly, I just pulled a new one from the stash and we read it. I've been trying to discover new and fun Christmas picture books to read. Here are a few that we've read and loved. I'd love to have your suggestions!

Snowmen at Christmas and Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner
I love the secret and silly nature of these books! What do snowmen do when the rest of us are sleeping? Go sledding, play snow games, eat frozen Christmas treats? Find out in these fun books. And there are more snowmen books to celebrate the whole year!

The 12 Days of Christmas by Jane Cabrera
I love Cabrera's books based on folk songs. This one has her signature sweet animal illustrations and a fun variation on this sometimes lovely, sometimes annoying Christmas song.

Here Comes Santa Cat by Deborah Underwood and Claudia Rueda
I love this cat! He was on the naughty list and now is desperate to have a chance at a present. The holiday books featuring this cheeky cat are some of my favorites!

Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer
Olivia is always fun to read. I love how parents might enjoy the books more than kids. I certainly got a kick out of her Christmas antics, my daughter is a touch too young to get all the humor. Makes me miss being a kid at Christmas time.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
This is one I grew up reading and loving as a kid. I remember watching the slides of pages from the book and listening to the audio (that probably dates me) at school. This story never gets old and the amazing illustrations from Van Allsburg never fail to inspire awe.

Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
I love Jan Brett's fantastic illustrations! She has so many wonderful books that make me want to bundle up and head out into the snow (or, you know, the 80 degree winter here in Arizona). This is one that my mom has a copy of and we always pick it up to read when we are there. That cheeky gingerbread baby makes me hungry for a cookie.

The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood and Renata Liwska
Sweet illustrations and a sly humor that is belied by this book's quiet nature - I love this book! The text is very simple, just a phrase on each page, but you can feel the emotion of the animals on every page. I probably love this more than my daughter, but I think she'll enjoy it more as she gets older.

Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell
This is a sweet and simple tale that helps to bring the true spirit of Christmas into our home. I love the soft and lovely illustrations and also the idea of the animals being welcoming and peaceful enough to accept another little one into their stable.

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond
There is something so appealing about these books and this is no exception. I always laugh at the irony of a kid racing around meeting the demands of the whimsical mouse. Probably because I'm racing around all day with my three-year-old dictator.

The Christmas Story by Robert Sabuda
I just got a copy of this gorgeous book for review and it is amazing! Simple text with six lovely pop-up pages bring the story of Jesus' birth to life. I adore the very simple colors that allow the movement and feeling of each pop-up creation speak more. I can already tell this will be a family favorite with us.

What are your family favorites?

Book Review: The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale

The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale
Publisher: Candlewick Pres
Publication date: October 2014
Pages: 90
Source: Library
For: Fun
Series: The Princess in Black, Book 1

Summary (from goodreads):

Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret? From award-winning writing team of Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham, here is the first in a humorous and action-packed chapter book series for young readers who like their princesses not only prim and perfect, but also dressed in black.

Things I Liked:
Yes! I love this book.  Short, silly, fun, quirky, and best of all it can easily help little girls feel like they can have the best of both worlds - pretty dress ups and fighting bad guys.  I feel like I love this book even more because of Shannon's extensive blogging about girls and boys and writing and stereotypes.  But really, just get this book for every young girl you know. 

Things I Didn't Like:
Want. More.

Read-alikes:
Nothing comes to mind...

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: *****

Book Review: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Publisher: originally George M. Hill company
Publication date: originally 1900
Pages: 78
Source: free e-book
For: a classic double pair
Series: Oz Series, Book 1

Summary (from goodreads):

Follow the yellow brick road!
Dorothy thinks she's lost forever when a tornado whirls her and her dog, Toto, into a magical world. To get home, she must find the wonderful wizard in the Emerald City of Oz. On the way she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion. But the Wicked Witch of the West has her own plans for the new arrival - will Dorothy ever see Kansas again?

Things I Liked:
It felt so lovely and old fashioned! It definitely had a timeless quality to it, despite it feeling so different from modern-day tales. I thought it was weird how very indifferent sometimes the characters were to tragedy or difficult things happening to them or their friends. Oh, I shall cry for them. Oh well. Having based my entire knowledge of the book on the movie, I was quite surprised to find things very different - why did they make her shoes red? Plus, a huge part of the book comes after the witch is dead. They have lots of further adventures. And it is quite obvious along the way how each of Dorothy's companions get what they are asking Oz for, and rather humorous how he gives it to them. I'm glad to have read this one finally and hope to share it with my daughter when she's ready.

Things I Didn't Like:
Some of the same things above detracted from my enjoyment, most notably the way the characters would respond to certain situations. Well, nothing we can do for them, let's just leave them or cry about it and move on. Some of the things they said felt a little strange too, like Dorothy talking about how cowardly the lion is, on a regular basis. Sometimes she didn't feel like such a "sweet" little girl.

Read-alikes:
can't think of anything :)

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Mini Reviews 19

Here are a couple of mini reviews; I didn't have much to say about these ones (or forgot what I wanted to say).


Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George
This is second in the Castle Glower series, first one was Tuesdays at the Castle, which I really enjoyed.  This one was sweet and rollicky good fun. I like the griffin most of all. The book did, however, seem to kind of lose its way a bit in the middle. I felt like it didn't move us forward a lot in the series until much later and lots of things happen right near the end that aren't entirely clear. But I might read more in the series later.


Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger
This is book 3 of the Finishing School Series by Carriger.  Honestly, I wish it was the last.  I tire of the series. I'm ready for it to be over (and expected it to be the last, what with trilogies being the Thing), but there's another book.  Some stuff actually happened in this one, though I can't seem to remember much of it. It's definitely as quirky and weird as the others, if that's your thing.


Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick
This book is super weird, but in a good way.  It is a crazy interesting story of reincarnation and enduring love. I was very much swept away in its atmospheric feeling and the beautiful writing. I did spend a lot of time wondering what was going on. I think that was on purpose.  I read this for the Printz award, and can see why it was chosen.  Still, very strange.  It reminded me of the strange in Chime by Franny Billingsley, which I also really liked.


Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
I read this because, Neil Gaiman.  Also, I got a review copy in the mail.  Yes!  This is such a fun book.  What a great read-aloud this would be with your kids or in school.  I loved how funny and cheeky and just downright wacky it got.  Will definitely get laughs out of your grade school kids (and older). I only wished there was more when it ended.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Mini Reviews 14

Time to play catch up on 2014 books and a whole slew of mini reviews are headed your way.  Enjoy?


Switched by Amanda Hocking

Summary: 
Wendy hasn't had an easy life, what with her mother trying to kill her when she was six.  But, things are about to get way more complicated when a mysterious guy comes to take her "home." She's a changeling and now she's thrown into a whole new magical world that she has no idea how to navigate.

My Thoughts:
Blech, blah, ugh.  If this hadn't been for a book group, I would have chucked it long and hard.  I did not enjoy the writing (a rather kind way of putting it), the characters made me crazy, the story was derivative, and I just didn't care what happened.  After having a book club member who loved it tell me what happens in the rest of the series, I'm soooooo glad I didn't bother reading more.  Save yourself from this book. (Whew, sorry that was such a nasty review - I had a pretty strong reaction. Lots of other people really like this series, so read some other opinions before writing it off completely :)
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House of Secrets by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini
Summary:
When Cordelia, Brendan, and Eleanor move into a mysterious new mansion, they expect to have adventures. Just not to be thrown into a world full of warriors, pirates, and evil queens. Now they have to figure out just where they are and how they will get home again.

My Thoughts:
I had a lovely friend recommend this to me. I still like that friend. I did not like this book. Almost in the first three chapters I wanted to stop reading, but made myself continue so that I could return it and tell her I finished. The writing left much to be desired. Every other sentence had a product drop (this will age the book very quickly) and I couldn't bring myself to care about characters who didn't have much in the way of personality. Also, the plot was very convoluted, all over the place, and not entirely sure where it was going. Not worth the time spent reading it, I felt.
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What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
Summary:
During an ordinary day at the gym, Alice falls and suffers some memory loss - as in the last ten years of her life. Alice only remembers being in love with her husband, expecting her first child, and loving where she was at in life. She is forced to face the truth of her 10 years older life - getting divorced, three children, and completely different from who she was before. So, which Alice is she?

My Thoughts:
Hey, I actually enjoyed this one :). I bet you thought this whole post would be full of negative reviews. Anyway, we read this for book group as well and I found it really fascinating. What I liked most wasn't even the story or characters, it was the idea of looking back at myself ten years ago and wondering if I would like who I am now. We change in such subtle ways we might not notice until we are somewhere completely different. Also, because of my personal experiences with infertility, I was dying for more of Elizabeth's story. Thought-provoking.
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Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

Summary:
This tells the story of Louis Zamperini, former Olympian runner who gets caught up World War II as an airman. His incredible story of survival of a plane crash, days adrift at sea, and as a prisoner of war will enthrall and horrify. But his survival and how he deals with all of it, will inspire.

My Thoughts:
This is a powerful story. I love how detailed and very well-researched this book was. As I was reading, I kept thinking Louis' life couldn't get any more horrifying. And then it would. It always seems like I read fiction because it is more interesting than real life. This disproves that 1000 times over. Near the end, I was super depressed, because he really just struggles so much and against such terrible odds. And then he finally comes home and he has to deal with the emotional and physical toll that being imprisoned and tortured left on him. But the most beautiful part of all is what the title suggests. He was unbroken. It's a tough read, but if you get to the end, you will see your life in a whole new way.
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Matilda by Roald Dahl

Summary:
Matilda is pretty much a genius, but brushed off by her uninterested parents. She hoped school would be different, but Ms. Trunchbull the evil school mistress is determined to squelch any fire of Matilda's spirit. But Matilda is determined to fight back.

My Thoughts:
I'd never read this book as a kid and I really enjoyed watching Matilda discover herself and deal with the difficult family she had. I was a bit surprised at how there doesn't seem to be much of a story, though. It was much more simplistic and convenient (particularly the very end) to be believable. I'm quite sure I'd have loved it as a kid, but reading it as an adult, I found it just a bit ridiculous.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel AND Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie

Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie
Publisher: Gutenberg Project
Publication date: originally published in 1911
Pages: 162
Source: Free e-book
For: Classic Double Challenge

Second Star by Alyssa B. Scheinmel
Publisher: Macmillan
Publication date: May 2014
Pages: 256
Source: e-book from NetGalley
For: Classic Double Challenge

Summary of Peter and Wendy (PW) from amazon:

Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A mischievous boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang, the Lost Boys, interacting with mermaids, Native Americans, fairies, pirates, and occasionally ordinary children from the world outside of Neverland.

Summary of Second Star (SS) from goodreads:

A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete's nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of a classic, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up--and the troubled beauty trapped between them.

Things I Liked about PW:
The story is so much more quirky than the movies have made it out to be.  More humor for the adults who read it than fun for the kids who enjoy it, I think.  Still, it's whimsical and fun and has some interesting thoughts about kids and their nature. The basic story is still there, though, with some added other adventures most movies have left out.
 
Things I Liked about SS:
I was really enjoying this book, like loving the twist on Peter Pan that it played - a surfing story complete with a Neverland beach of perfect waves.  I even enjoyed the James Hook character and his evil, but not too evil feel.  I was sucked into the story.  But I kind of found the ending disappointing.

Things I Didn't Like about PW:
Sometimes it was just trying too hard to be a book about adults talking about kids who never grow up.  I think this was more of my own expectations of what Peter Pan's story is really about.  Peter isn't really all that likeable, is he?
 
Things I Didn't Like about SS:
As I mentioned, the ending kind of threw me off.  I liked the concept, got sucked into the drama and the update and really liked seeing the elements of Peter Pan that made it in.  But, found the ending wasn't as satisfying. Not that I didn't think it could end any other way, necessarily, but I just thought it was weird (trying not to be spoilery here).  Also, Wendy kind of bugged me throughout.

Read-alikes:
Lots of Peter Pan spin offs out there, tho this one seems a bit different than others
  
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS for PW:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS for SS:
s-factor: !@
some

mrg-factor: X
mostly just kind of implied stuff

v-factor: ->
it does get a bit intense in sections

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: January 2012
Pages: 320
Source: Library
For: Fun

Ivan was the star of the show at the Big Top Mall for years, until one day he's not anymore.  He's been in his home of glass walls for long enough that he doesn't even mind or miss his home in the jungle.  He's got his friends, Bob the dog and Stella the elephant.  But when a new baby elephant comes to their home, Ivan begins to see things in a new light.

Things I Liked:
What a bitter sweet little book this is!  I loved the story of Ivan and yet it made me cry.  He had so much going for him and yet he was stuck in a dreadful place.  I absolutely fell in love with him and Stella and Ruby and even some of the human characters.  I was very happy that none of the "villains" was painted in a way that they were 100% evil.  I think it shows very nicely how people sometimes don't think clearly and that is how they end up doing horrible things without meaning to.  I just loved how hopeful the ending was, though we had to experience all the sorrow to get there.  A beautiful story made even more beautiful by its basis in reality.

Things I Didn't Like:
Hm, not much I can think of that I didn't like.  Just simple and sweet (and sad).  A great read for animal-loving tweens and younger.

Read-alikes:
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none
though there is some cruelty to animals

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Mini Reviews #1

This is the first time I've done a collection of short reviews (I've seen lots of folks do these and call them all kinds of cute things, so just be aware that I am not the originator of the idea, but I'm not sure who exactly inspired it).  It really is a hodge podge of books that I've just not got a lot to say about.  I've also taken Kristen's suggestion to write a five-word description instead of a summary.  But I bent it to a sentence, cause I'm not that amazing.  Hard, but rather freeing.  


Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
Source: Library

Two best friends embark on adventures armed with imagination and roller skates.

My thoughts: Cute, love the illustrations, and it totally reminded me of myself and my best friend in grade school - she was more than a foot taller than me too.  Lots of fun for those just learning to read chapter books.
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The Tale of Despereaux by kate DiCamillo
Source: Audio from library

Unusually courageous mouse rescues soup-deprived princess.

My thoughts: This story never fails to entertain me.  My husband and I listened to it on a road trip and he loved it too (surprisingly).  It has quirky characters, a fun and unusual story, and lots of heart and soul.  Worth the read or the listen, especially for kids.
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City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Source: Library

The aftermath of war can be just as treacherous with rocky relationships and unexpected enemies.

My thoughts: I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed the Mortal Instruments book, despite all of its flaws, but this just seemed superfluous.  I got tired of the stretching out of Jace and Clary's up and down relationship and the plot was just unbelievably all over the place.  The series was better without it.
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The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Source: Audio from library

Seventh son of a seventh son seeks the signs that will aid in an ancient battle of good and evil.

My thoughts: This is an all-time fantasy favorite.  The story never fails to entertain me and listening to it on audio was just as good (again, my husband was really interested in it and he is hard to please).  I just love how complex the story is and how amazingly the fantasy details are woven with real life.  A classic tale.
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Cahoots by Karla Oceanak
Source: Review copy from publisher

Aldo attempts to survive his summer on a farm without electronic devices.

My thoughts: It's a fun romp filled with humor and kid-friendly drawings.  It will appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries, though Aldo is no Greg Huffley.  Still, his summer adventures will delight and hopefully educate tweens who can't seem to get enough drawing-filled diary books.

Any thoughts on these?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Bless This Mouse by Lois Lowry

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

Bless This Mouse by Lois Lowry
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Publication date: March 2011
ISBN: 9780547390093
Source: e-copy from NetGalley

 

Hildegarde is the Mouse Mistress for her clan of church mice.  She must try to hold everything together through the good times and the bad.  What they fear most, in their church home, is another Great X - a frightening event from their past that wiped out many of the colony.  Between saving them from a Great X and the cats that visit during the feast of St. Francis, Hildegarde's hands are full.  Will she be able to save all her mice despite all the many dangers?

Things I Liked:
This was a sweet and fun quirky story.  I loved the feel of the writing - the voice of Hildegarde making commentary about her colony throughout.  She was a stern and yet understanding Mouse Mistress.  The story is adventurous with action and danger throughout.  The ending is just about as perfect as it could be.  I also really enjoyed the illustrations, even though I was reading the advanced version and they weren't final.  I flipped through a final version and they were even better!   

Things I Didn't Like:
I sure wish this book had been around when I was a kid, cause I would have loved it a lot more then.  It's definitely for a younger crowd, being both short and fairly simple.  Give this to your Charlotte's Web or other classic children's book fans.

Read-alikes:
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Stuart Little by E.B. White

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

What books do you wish were around when you were a kid?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage