Seasonal Sensations #2

We are in the midst of a huge pause.  The winter solstice 2021 was observed on December 21, 2021.  Today, December 26, 2021 marks five more days before the new calendar year begins.  Some seasonal holidays have been celebrated; preparations for others are still being made.  It is as if everything and everyone are holding their collective breaths, waiting for what comes next.

Waiting is an important part of life.  It is not an easy skill to learn.  In The Snowflake (Harper HarperCollinsPublishers, September 14, 2021) written and illustrated by Benji Davies, two individuals learn the rewards far outweigh the act of waiting. 

High in the sky, one winter's night,

a snowflake was made.

She wheeled and skipped and twirled

between the clouds.

Starting to fall, she panicked.  A cloud reassured her as she tumbled.  Below her, a great distance away, a girl, Noelle, wished for snow.

Every time the snowflake thought she might land, she was blown away.  She was helpless.  She passed over country and city landscapes.  In one window, she saw a star on top of a tree.  Noelle with her Pappie saw the same tree. 

It got darker and colder and still the snowflake flew and fell until the sound of laughter announced the presence of hundreds of snowflakes.  Noelle found the branch of an evergreen by the walkway, the only tree they could afford.

At home, her mother and grandfather helped her to decorate it.  She placed it on the ledge outside their window and wished again for snow.  Early the next morning, a single snowflake and a little girl discover the miracle of waiting and wishing fulfilled.

Using a combination of narration, thoughts revealed and dialogue, author Benji Davies welcomes us into this story.  We understand the snowflake's confusion at not knowing her future.  We know, like Noelle, what it is to want something beautiful, but to settle for less.  In this confusion and in this settling for less, we realize, through Benji Davies's descriptions, something memorable and something unexpected can happen.  Here is a passage.

The snowflake passed many windows that

glowed through the evening light.

In one window sat a tree strung with lights,

and on top a bright star shimmered.

For a moment, the snowflake forgot

all about falling.

Oh, to be the star on

that glistening little tree!

she thought.

In both scenes on the front and back of the matching dust jacket and book case, Benji Davies introduces us to the snowflake and Noelle.  On the front, Noelle and the snowflake stand together in an imagined meeting during an evening snowfall.  The snowflake is looking for a place to be, and Noelle is hoping for snow on her tree.  On the dust jacket the title text is in gold foil.  Gold foil is etched in tree branches, along the side of Noelle's home, and other snowflakes.  

To the left, on the back, the storm has coated the landscape in snow.  As the sun rises, Noelle's home, her yard and buildings in the distance are bathed in a contrast of light and shadow.  Noelle and her dog are outside.  She stands and holds her tree up high, the snowflake at the top, glowing in the sunlight.  The words here read:

Wherever the wind takes us,

we all find a place to land. . .

The bright red shown for the author illustrator name on the front of the jacket and case covers the opening and closing endpapers.  Tiny pieces of white cut paper are strewn across this red background.  On the right and left sides a large snowflake is circled by six smaller snowflakes, creating one huge snowflake.  They all look like they've been cut from paper.  This is visually striking.

On the two-page picture for the title page we read this dedication on the left:

For my dad who inspired

this story---the real Pappie.

This illustration is at night.  Noelle's little house sits on a hill in the country outside the city.  Light shines from her bedroom window, a large window downstairs, and the doorway.  A few stars are set in the dark sky with clouds starting to gather.

The image sizes in the book range from double-page pictures, to full-page pictures, and smaller insets with loose frames, some alone on a single page and others sharing the single page with one or more visuals.  These various sizes further emphasize the narrative.  The facial expressions on the cloud, snowflake, Noelle, and her Pappie, in their simplicity convey a range of emotions.

One of my many favorite illustrations is a two-page picture.  It is a night scene in the city, a panoramic view with us looking slightly down on the setting.  The city buildings and surrounding area are done in deeper colors of blue, purple, and gray with black.  Windows glow with different hues of yellow, and rose.  In the background a row of street lights outline a pathway.  Stores in the city, in the foreground, are festive in their window displays and the outside lights hanging on walls.  In the lower, right-hand corner is the window with the decorated Christmas tree.  The snowflake looks at it with wonder.  Pappie and Noelle are on the left, standing in front of a Fish & Chips window.

This gentle story, The Snowflake written and illustrated by Benji Davies, is full of promise and potential.  It illuminates patience.  Although the time of year is for those celebrating Christmas, this story works well in any seasonal story time or even as a bedtime story or a story to provide calm.  I highly recommend you place a copy on your personal and professional bookshelves.

By following the link attached to Benji Davies's name, you can access his website to learn more about him and his other work.  Benji Davies has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  At the publisher's website is a short book trailer.

When cherished characters return in a book, there is nothing more satisfying.  When their appearance is in a holiday title, the happiness doubles.  In his two previous volumes, Bulldozer's Big Day and Bulldozer Helps Out, this little machine with a huge heart has won our collective hearts.  His return in Bulldozer's Christmas Dig (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, Atheneum Books For Young Readers, September 21, 2021) written by Candace Fleming with artwork by Eric Rohmann sends out a mighty message.

It was Christmas Eve,

and Dump Truck was carrying . . .

     carrying . . .

          carrying.

Digger Truck and Crane Truck were busy, too.  Bulldozer was still, but his mind was in overdrive.  He was worried he didn't have gifts for his friends.

Although the construction site was buried in snow, Bulldozer saw something sticking out the top of a drift.  Maybe, he could uncover a gift.  (You never know what treasures a dig will reveal.)

Three times, he raised his blade and scraped at the snow.  Three times, he uncovered nothing resembling a gift for his friends.  Did he stop?  No, he did not.  He worked until it started to get dark.  His worry increased. But then . . .

He started to push on the pile of junk he had unearthed.  He pushed and paused and pushed and paused.  He scurried to add the final touch.  The other trucks were ready to quit, but not Bulldozer.   Finally seeing his present to them, they were nearly speechless.  Bulldozer's feline friends added the top-tip treasure.  It was a one-of-a-kind Merry Christmas delight.

On page one, author Candace Fleming brings us into the rhythm of the construction site crew.  She uses repetition of action verbs, different ones for each vehicle, to invite readers to the story.  When Bulldozer is seeking to find presents for his friends, each time there is a 

Thunk

we know he is hopeful. (After each thunk, Candace Fleming inserts a new sound word.)  When Bulldozer and his friends speak, they usually do so with highly descriptive words like whooped, sniffled, boomed or clanged.  These word choices by Candace Fleming make this a sensory and participatory experience to be enjoyed often.  The word treasure plays a significant part.  Here is a passage.

Tossing it aside, he kept on digging.

Scra-a-a-a-ape . . .

     Scra-a-a-a-ape . . .

          Scra-a-a-a-ape . . .

Thunk-thud!

"Treasure?" hoped Bulldozer.

He may be a bulldozer, but looking at Bulldozer, smiling with the wreath draped over him, on the front of the matching dust jacket and book case will make readers want to reach out and hug him.  Two of the kittens under his care are featured along with ornaments and a present in the snow.  The snow topping the letters in the title text, embossed in red foil, and lights hanging from those two words hint at the tale's ending.  Shadows in the background on the front remind readers of the location of the construction site and also hint at the conclusion.  

To the left of the spine, shadows of the other vehicles and the cityscape are shown against the continuing night sky.  The ISBN is toward the top where more lights are draped.  A cardinal is perched on the ISBN.  Thumbnails of the front of the two previous books are tucked in the lower, left-hand corner and are wrapped in a bow like presents.

The left and right side of the opening and closing endpapers, respectively are red.  The opposite page is white with red text.  On the first is the title in block letters.  On the second is the dedication and publication information.  A two-page picture of the snowy city on the left and Bulldozer with three kittens shown through the wreath on the right is used for the formal title page.

The illustrations by Eric Rohmann 

were made using relief (block) prints.  Three plates were used for each image.  The first two plates were printed in multiple colors, using a relief printmaking process called "reduction printing."  The last plate was the "key" image, which was printed in black over the color.

Each illustration, whether it is a two-page picture or a series of four vertical panels is outlined in a thick black line.  Each element in each visual is outlined in black. (Readers will gasp at the wordless vertical image which requires them to turn the book.)

The kittens and the cardinal appear in most of the images.  The kittens are shown peeking, playing, resting with Bulldozer, or lending a paw.  Sometimes we are brought close to them and their antics.

One of my many favorite illustrations spans two pages.  Most of the background is a slowly darkening sky with snowflakes falling.  Along the bottom is a snowy surface.  Bulldozer is hurrying to the right.  He is almost off the page.  Trailing behind him is a string of colored lights.  The cardinal flies in front of him.  Racing behind him, left to right, are three of the six kittens.  The one at the end has paused to play with the string of lights.

Fans of the Bulldozer, the Christmas holiday, and ingenuity will welcome this newest edition, Bulldozer's Christmas Dig written by Candace Fleming with artwork by Eric Rohmann, to the series.  We learn, as does Bulldozer, the best presents are those made from the heart, and sometimes they are right in front of us if we use our imaginations.  This book is a wonderful addition to your personal and professional collections.

To learn more about Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann and their other work, please access their respective websites by following the link attached to their names.  Candace Fleming has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  At the publisher's website, you can view interior illustrations.

As we move from summer to autumn and now to winter, our clothing selections vary.  We wear more layers.  A short-sleeved t-shirt is worn under a long-sleeved t-shirt.  Sweaters are placed over long-sleeved t-shirts and turtlenecks are worn under sweatshirts and sweaters.  Although Sweater Weather (Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, October 5, 2021) written and illustrated by Matt Phelan takes place in an autumn setting, all you have to do is stand in any classroom at recess and lunch times during the winter months to know a similar version of this story is repeated hundreds of times on a daily basis in a single school building.

SWEATERS ON!

Papa Bear makes this announcement as seven cubs give him a confused stare.  Papa Bear sits to knit as he waits for those youngsters to don their sweaters.  It is taking a lot longer than it should.  And what are those loud noises coming from their bedroom?

These cubs have no clue on how to put on their sweaters.  Papa Bear reorganizes the disarray.  The cubs start again and it does not go well.

Finally, they are ready to go outside.  It took them so long, it is now dark.  Before long, the cubs make a discovery.  So does Papa Bear.  The night discloses its mysteries.

Papa Bear gathers up the group and takes them inside.  Two more two-word declarations are made.  Sweet dreams little bears.

A minimal amount of words by author Matt Phelan leaves room for reader interpretation which in turn leads to loads of grins and giggles.  Most readers among us have probably been a participant in the fine art of procrastination even when it is not entirely planned.  This increases the comedy.  The complaints and commentary by the cubs will have readers rolling on the floor with laughter, especially when the dialogue is reversed between the smallest bear and Papa Bear.  

One look at the expression on the face of Papa Bear amid the cubs on the front of the dust jacket is guaranteed to have readers smiling knowingly.  The seven cubs are struggling to get on their sweaters and creating chaos.  In an excellent design choice, Matt Phelan's name is written in yarn and the title text is stitched on a portion of sweater.  The title text is varnished.  To the left, on the back, in a horizontal swirl of red and orange we read written in red yarn:

Sweaters

     On!

The canvas for the book case is white.  On the front, Papa Bear is circled by the seven cubs in various stages of undress.  On the back, in a loose circular watercolor wash, Paper Bear is holding all the cubs.  Most of them are nearly fast asleep.

The opening and closing endpapers are red and orange with a knitted texture.  On the first set, a large ball of dark yarn is placed on the left with a single strand unwinding toward the right.  The ball of yarn is smaller at the back and is placed on the right with a single strand extending to the left side.

On the formal title page, Papa Bear stands in the window of their home, holding a cup of a steaming beverage.  Around their house is an autumn-colored woodland.  Large leaves are falling in front of the home on the left and near the title text on the right.

These images were made by Matt Phelan using

pencil, ink, and watercolor on hot-pressed paper.

They are full-page pictures, double-page pictures, framed images, two to a single page, and sometimes loosely framed visuals, three to a single page.  These variations in image sizes pair nicely with the spare text.  Multiple times the pictures are wordless.  Readers will enjoy the facial expressions and body postures of all the characters.  They are hilarious!  Careful readers will see a problem in the offing when the cubs try to put on their sweaters a second time.

One of my many favorite illustrations is a two-page picture.  On the left, Papa Bear is standing in the cubs' bedroom doorway.  Spread before him across both pages are the cubs attempting to put on their sweaters.  One is upside down with the sweater not even off their head.  Another is standing up with one eye peeking out the neck of the sweater.  Two cubs are inside a single sweater.  And another cub is lying on the floor with only their feet showing out the bottom of the sweater.  The arms of the sweater have somehow managed to get tied together in a knot.

This book, Sweater Weather written and illustrated by Matt Phelan, is the ultimate title in showing how best-laid plans don't always work out, especially when seven little cubs are involved.  It does, however, depict how those same seven cubs can take a situation and make it memorable by learning something new and seeing something extraordinary.  The wearing of sweaters has never been as endearing as it is in this title.  You'll need a copy for your personal and professional collections.

To discover more about Matt Phelan and his other work, visit his website by following the link attached to his name.  Matt Phelan has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

In November of 2020, a startling discovery was made in New York City.  As is customary, a tree had been selected as the centerpiece at the Rockefeller Center.  It was cut down in upstate New York in the town of Oneonta and hauled from the woods to the metropolitan area.  Several days after its arrival in New York City, a worker found an adult Northern Saw-whet owl in the tree.  This book, The Little Owl & The Big Tree: A Christmas Story (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, October 19, 2021) written by Jonah Winter with illustrations by Jeanette Winter tells this miraculous tale.

There was once an owl who lived in a tree.

She had no name, but she was the tiniest owl in the eastern United States. She lived tucked inside a hole in a tree.  She only left that hole at night to hunt.

All was well in the world of this tiny owl until one day, she woke up before the night.  There were loud noises and voices.  Her tree moved.  It fell down.  It was wrapped and placed on a truck.  The ride lasted for hours.

During all of this the little owl never moved.  She was still inside her tree when a new barrage of noises reached her, the sounds of a city.  As the protection and bindings were removed from the tree, the little owl came from her hole.  A man was staring at her!

She was exhausted from the ordeal and offered no resistance.  The man carefully placed her in a box with pine branches.  His wife took her to a rescue sanctuary.  There a woman cared for the owl until she could find another tree in another woods.  The owl now was given a name, Rockefeller.

Simple sentence by simple sentence, each one ringing true, Jonah Winter builds the story of this remarkable owl.  The more we read his words, the more we realize how incredible the circumstances were.  By the end of the narrative, our respect for the owl and the man who found her is enormous.  Here are two passages.

It was loaded onto a truck

and driven away---

with the owl inside her little hole,

inside the big bundled tree.

The noise of the truck on the highway

was unlike anything this owl had ever heard.

Hours went by,

with the rumbling and the noise and the motion.

The cooler, calming hues used by artist Jeanette Winter on the open and matching dust jacket and book case, set the tone for the resilience portrayed in this tale.  The close-up of earth's full moon set in the starry sky with the owl perched on top of her tree allows us to see how truly small and exceptional she was.  This portrait of her is framed in the same color used in the title text.  To the left of the spine, on the back, a dusty pink color is used for the background.  A square visual is framed on this canvas.  Within the frame are the boughs of the tree.  On the boughs is the box with Rockefeller and the pine twigs inside.  On the front of the dust jacket the main title text is raised to the touch.

The opening and closing endpapers are covered in the same dusty pink shade.  Within a small circle bordered by pine needles, the owl sits looking out her hole at the forest.  This image is placed between the text on the title page.

Page turn by page turn framed illustrations in varying perspectives complement the text.  We see the owl, tiny with respect to her home and the forest.  Then we are brought close to her, seeing her sleep in her hole.  When the lumbermen arrive to cut down the tree, we are looking out her hole with her, wondering at the strange sounds.

Each visual created by Jeanette Winter is individually striking, but sometimes the illustration on the left is part of the illustration on the right, even though they are separated by the framing and gutter.  This supplies readers with a valuable and pleasing continuity.  

One of my many favorite illustrations is separated by framing and the gutter.  On the left page we see the interior pine branches with a portion of the worker's arm and gloved hand.  The tiny owl, on the right side, is nestled in the palm of the worker's gloved hand.  (Jeanette Winter did her research.  The color of the gloves matches those of the worker who found the owl.)

For a story time on birds, owls, seasonal holidays, or how humans and nature unexpectedly meet, The Little Owl & The Big Tree: A Christmas Story written by Jonah Winter with illustrations by his mother, Jeanette Winter, is an excellent choice.  At the conclusion of the book is an author's note giving readers more precise facts.  Both your personal and professional collections will be enhanced by including a copy of this title.

To learn more about Jonah Winter and his other work, please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  At the publisher's website, you can view interior images.  This publisher does include the entire jacket and case.

We know we are reading a great story when nonfiction reads like fiction and fiction reads like nonfiction.  Without realizing it, we've become a part of the story and it finds a permanent place in our hearts.  When you read  Red and Green and Blue and White (Inspired by a true story) (Levine Querido, October 19, 2021) written by Lee Wind with pictures by Paul O. Zelinsky, page turn by page turn, your initial sadness swells to something wonderful.  People honoring the differences of others by standing up to bigotry is about humans being their best selves.

On a block dressed up in Red and Green,

one house shone Blue and White.

In Isaac's home he and his family were preparing for Chanukah.  Across the street in Isaac's friend's house, Teresa and her family were decorating their home for Christmas.  Isaac was a poet.  Teresa was an artist.

Though they expressed themselves differently in their creativity and in their religious beliefs, Isaac and Teresa had loads of fun enjoying their similarities.  When darkness fell, one house glowed red and green and the other house glowed blue and white.  Deep into the night, while everyone was asleep, people approached Isaac's home.  A rock smashed their window and their menorah went out.

Though they were frightened, the next night the menorah light shone in the new window in Isaac's home.  To support her friend and his family, Teresa drew a picture of a menorah and labeled it

FOR ISAAC.

She placed it in her family's window and the light from their Christmas tree made it glow blue and white.  Can you imagine Isaac's joy at seeing this artwork in Teresa's window?

Teresa's idea spread from friends to institutions, and then to businesses.  Weeks passed.  Do you know how many drawings of menorahs there were in their community?  The number was staggering and uplifting and overwhelming in all the right ways.  Well done humans, well done.

To begin, author Lee Wind designs a subtle rhythm with his words.  We go back and forth between the two friends, learning about what makes them unique and what makes them alike.  Through his word selections, we form an emotional attachment to the friends.  We feel the fear of Isaac's family, their strength, and Teresa's relief when they light their menorah again.  It's all we can do not to start dancing with joy at the words we read when Isaac sees Teresa's drawing for him.  As the response by the community is recounted by Lee Wind, we feel the joy growing and growing.  Here is a passage.

They both loved playing in the snow,

counting down to

the holidays,

and thought you couldn't have

too many sprinkles on a cookie.

When you look at the open dust jacket and open book case, you realize they are similar.  Through the shattered window on the front of the dust jacket, we see homes decorated for the holidays.  We see people lining the street in front of those homes with joined hands.  In the face of prejudice, this community stands with Isaac's family.  In the broken opening stands Isaac's family and Teresa's family.  On the outside of the opening, the shattered glass is varnished.  On the back of the jacket, a cluster of six decorated homes is placed on the deep blue canvas. 

The book case has the same artwork except on the front.  The street is empty of people.  The open door is closed.  The shattered glass and text are removed.  It is calm.

The artwork on the opening and closing endpapers is stunning.  Tiny people from all walks of life frame the canvas.  Their arms are linked.  On the opening endpapers, the background is dark.  A scroll of red ribbon joins a scroll of green ribbon.  The green ribbon joins blue ribbon and on the far right white ribbon loops.  On the closing endpapers, the two pages are again divided into four vertical panels.  On the first, green ribbon loops on red.  Then on the second, a richer blue is placed on green.  Red loops through blue before blue loops through white on the final panel on the right. 

This artwork by Paul O. Zelinsky on matte-finished paper

was drawn on a Wacom tablet, in images of up to 150 layers,

using brushes of the artist's own creation.

For the initial and formal title pages, we are looking through clouds down at the community.  We move in closer at night to view rows of houses in the community decorated for the holidays as the story unfolds.  There is a superb blend of double-page pictures, full-page pictures working together as one idea, and a collection of smaller images to denote the passage of time.  You find yourself pausing after each page turn to study the details and marvel at the perspectives.

One of my many favorite pictures is a double-page picture.  It is at night and it is snowing.  Isaac has just seen Teresa's picture in her window.  It glows blue and white from her tree decorations.  On the left, Isaac runs across the street, arms outstretched.  He shouts one of his poems which appears written in white and the words float from left to right.  They are underlined in blue with blue menorahs at the end.  Teresa stands in the doorway of her home with her family behind her.  Light from that doorway shines outside.  The supreme happiness in this moment is palpable.

Although this title, Red and Green and Blue and White (Inspired by a true story) written by Lee Wind with artwork by Paul O. Zelinsky, focuses on the holiday season, it can be read any time of the year to remind us of the power of standing up instead of standing by.  This book is a classic to be shared widely and often.  Be sure to read the author's note at the end.  I highly recommend you place a copy in both your personal and professional collections.

To learn more about Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky and their other work, please follow the link attached to their names to access their websites.  Lee Wind has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Paul O. Zelinsky has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  This title is featured on The Book Of Life podcast.  It is highlighted by author, reviewer, blogger and librarian Elizabeth Bird at School Library Journal, A Fuse # 8 Production and by author, reviewer, and blogger Julie Danielson at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.  At the publisher's website, there is a coloring sheet to download, interior images to see, and three videos to watch about this book.

Every year there are children around the world who wonder if Santa Claus will be able to find them.  They know the stories about where he lives and his method of transportation.  Perhaps, they have moved or live in more than one house or have no home at all.  Santa In The City (Dial Books For Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, November 2, 2021) written by Tiffany D. Jackson with illustrations by Reggie Brown is about a little girl with multiple worries about Santa visiting her home.

Every year, Deja counted down the days, hours, minutes, seconds until Christmas.

But some kids at school didn't believe in Santa like she did.

And truthfully, the insights of her classmates did sound reasonable, and this upset Deja.  Finding her crying in her room that night, her mother took her on a tour explaining how the magic surrounding Santa worked.  First, they journeyed to the first floor to observe their superintendent.  Then, they went all the way to the roof.  That solved the parking problem of Santa's sleigh and his reindeer.

The next morning despite her mother's reassurances, worry plagued Deja again.  Their city block was not decorated properly.  Santa might miss them.  Question after question popped into Deja's mind no matter how her mommy answered.

Her family always celebrated together on Christmas Eve.  Now, there was a whole group of people to help her solve all the pieces in her Santa worry puzzle.  Each and every reply made perfect sense to her, but the questions kept coming into her mind.

Even tucked into bed that night with mommy reading her a story, she still had things she needed to know.  Something her mother said gave her an idea.  Later, she sneaked into the living room to wait for Santa.  You'll never guess what happened.

If you are looking for an explanation of Christmas magic, look no further than the words written by Tiffany D. Jackson for this book.  The responses of the adults are creative and as Deja says:

Makes sense.

Through narrative and dialogue, the rhythm supplied by the questions, answers, and the above-noted repetitive phrase generates an enchanting atmosphere of its own.  This builds toward a most satisfying ending which surprises even Deja.  Here is a passage.

"Uncle Ronnie, how can Santa live up at the North Pole?

It's really cold up there!" Deja asked.

"Well, Santa works in tunnels underground, like

the subway, where it's much warmer.

Plus, he drinks plenty of hot cocoa."

"Oh," Deja said. Makes sense.

As you look at the open and matching dust jacket and book case, you cannot help but smile.  The shadowy cityscape on either side of Deja's apartment building frames the colored lights outlining her windows and the warmth of inside lights.  Dressed for winter, she stands on the balcony, hand outstretched to catch a falling snowflake.  We see what she cannot see.  Those red pants and black boots on the rooftop signify someone special visiting her home.  To the left of the spine, a large green bag full of presents sits on the roof.  On the back, the words read:

NOTHING

STOPS SANTA

FROM COMING

TO TOWN

On the dust jacket, Deja, Santa, the title text, the words on the back, and the bag of gifts are varnished.

A pale turquoise covers the opening and closing endpapers.  Inside a circular image on the title page, between the text, is a view of Deja's desk.  It contains some winter clothing, notebooks, a list, a pencil, an eraser, and a tablet counting down the days, minutes, and seconds before Santa arrives.  It's called

ELF ALERT.

Illustrator Reggie Brown made these images

digitally using photoshop, and a pinch of Christmas magic.

Bold, bright, and colorful they span two pages, and single pages.  Smaller illustrations are grouped together to depict a passage of time and enhance the pacing.  Sometimes, we are looking directly at the scene.  Other times, the perspective shifts, and we are looking at it as if we are Deja.  We are treated to wider views and close-up views.

The facial features on all the characters and their body postures make us feel as though we are walking along with them in real time.  We immediately find Deja utterly charming.  When she asks her questions, we know by looking at her they are heartfelt and express a curiosity known to many children.

One of my many favorite illustrations is a two-page picture.  The elements are placed on a white background.  Deja and mommy are talking about the reindeer and the parking issue.  Across most of the two pages in a row, we see, starting on the left, a green vehicle, nine reindeer, and then, a red vehicle on the right.  You'll be laughing out loud looking at the reindeer.  Their faces are hilarious, as is the attire worn by some.  The one wearing the Reindeer Games Runner-Up sash is scowling.  Rudolph is lounging on the ground in front of the other eight reindeer.  He is wearing a first-place ribbon.  Deja is on the left in the foreground asking a question.  Mommy is on the right in the foreground giving her answer.

Santa In The City written by Tiffany D. Jackson with artwork by Reggie Brown is one you'll want to read right before drifting off to sleep during the Christmas holiday.  The realistic concerns of Deja and the marvelous replies of the adults paired with the lively illustrations will have listeners asking you to read it again and again and again.  This title is one you will want to include in both your personal and professional holiday collections.

By following the link attached to Tiffany D. Jackson's name and Reggie Brown's name, you can access their websites to learn more about them and their other work.  Tiffany D. Jackson has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.  Reggie Brown has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  This title is highlighted with an author interview at We Need Diverse Books.  You will really enjoy reading this interview.  At the publisher's website, you can view interior illustrations.  There is also an audio clip of the reading of this title.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like . . . 2019 #4

Two words, Christmas spirit, can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which they are used.  If we are speaking of the classic Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, ghostly visits figure into the discussion.  There are those who express their enthusiasm for the season by decorating their homes, places of work and even their vehicles.  They are apt to wear clothing and jewelry in keeping with celebrations.  People will play, sing or hum music or songs to convey their holiday happiness.

Another indication of the Christmas spirit, which many reveal throughout the year, are acts of kindness and giving without any expectation of acknowledgement. Little Robin's Christmas (Nosy Crow, an imprint of Candlewick Press, September 10, 2019) written and illustrated by Jan Fearnley is indeed a tale representative of this holiday and its true meaning.  Readers, especially readers residing in the state of Michigan, will instantly realize this as an origin story, too.

Once upon a time, there was a little brown bird.  His name was Little Robin, and this is his story.

Little Robin had seven different vests to keep him cozy and comfy.  It was seven days before Christmas.  He intended to wear one each day.

On the first day he put on his white vest.  Arriving at the pond to skate, Frog was found shivering with cold.  Little Robin gave him his vest.  Little Robin thought about the six remaining vests he had to protect him from the winter weather.

On each of the six remaining days Little Robin put on his green, pink, yellow, blue, purple and orange vests.  Each time he donned these vests to keep him warm, he met a forest friend.  Hedgehog, Mole, Squirrel, Rabbit, Otter's baby and a little mouse needed those vest more than he did.  By the time Christmas Eve arrived Little Robin was far from home and he had no more vests.

Chilled with cold and huddled on a roof covered with snow, Little Robin fell sound asleep.  He did not hear sounds only heard on Christmas Eve.  Soon he found himself in the company of two people known to embody the Christmas spirit.  One of them using thread from a special coat made Little Robin one final vest.  He is still wearing it to this day.


When you read an origin story like Little Robin's Christmas, you can't help but wonder how author Jan Fearnley initially had the idea for this tale.  What prompted her to write how robins have red breasts and link it to the giving associated with Christmas?  To begin, her use of once upon a time sets a tone of storytelling magic.

She continues with establishing and maintaining a rhythm in the donning of the vests each day, having Little Robin wander to another part of the forest and of his generosity in giving away his vests to those who are cold.  Each time another number, smaller, enters Little Robin's thoughts the pattern is reinforced.  The mix of narrative and conversation invites us deeper into the story.  Here are several passages. 

"Brrrrrrr! The ground's too hard to dig,
and I'm chilly!" Mole complained.

So Little Robin gave his pink vest to Mole.

It was a little tight, but Mole didn't mind.
He was nice and warm.

Four vests left, thought Little Robin.


Even though the two scenes shown on the open and matching dust jacket and book case look like a winter wonderland, they radiate warmth.  The warmth is found in the red vest Little Robin is wearing and in the tiny heart acting as a dot for the "i" in Christmas.  On the front all the intricate lines are embossed in silver foil.  It glistens like sunlight on snow. 

To the left, on the back, an interior image is shown.  The little mouse, now wearing Little Robin's orange and last vest, is embracing the compassionate bird.  This illustration is more panoramic with rolling hills, topped with evergreens, in the distance.

On the opening and closing endpapers, the red shade seen on the spine patterned with snowflakes is repeated. On the initial title page, Little Robin wearing his red vest is flying to the right.  On the formal title page, a double-page picture places Little Robin on a tree branch on the right side.  He is singing without any vest and overlooking people and the forest animals engaged in winter activities. 

Rendered in mixed media the illustrations joyfully depict each element of the story.  Jan Fearnley changes the size of the pictures and their perspective to accentuate the pacing.  The warmhearted nature of Little Robin is always visible as is the joy the other animals have for him when they are wearing his vests.  And there is no doubt as to the cold each animal is experiencing before Little Robin gives them his vest.  In each image the eyes of the characters truly shine with emotion.  Readers will appreciate all the extra details Jan Fearnley includes in her visuals.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is on a single page.  There is a liberal amount of white space surrounding a loose circular image.  It is the inside of Squirrel's home.  Squirrel, now wearing Little Robin's yellow vest, is sound asleep on a nest of autumn leaves.  Acorns are scattered among the leaves.  Little Robin is perched on top of Squirrel reaching out a wing in comfort.  Behind Little Robin in the opening to the nest is a wash of blue hues with white snowflakes falling.


I have read Little Robin's Christmas written and illustrated by Jan Fearnley repeatedly.  Each time I study the illustrations and discover some new tiny detail.  I booktalked it to a friend today during a phone conversation and they loved it.  This book opens the possibility of a variety of discussions and activities.  I highly recommend it for your personal and professional collections.

To learn more about Jan Fearnley and her other work, please follow the links attached to her name to access her website and blog.  In reading her blog, you will discover this book, in another form, was published twenty years ago.  In the UK it is titled Little Robin Red Vest.  Jan Fearnley has accounts on Facebook and Twitter.  You can view interior images at Nosy Crow and Penguin Random House.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like . . . 2019 #2

Parents, caregivers and educators have sure knowledge of the passion and persistence children employ when they are in pursuit of a plan.  Once they get an idea in their minds, it usually takes an epic force to impede any progress.  Their desire for success is so strong, that if at first they don't succeed, they will most definitely try again.

Defeat is not an option.  Brainstorming a new scheme to obtain a desired goal is the only course of action.  The Great Santa Stakeout (Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., September 3, 2019) written by Betsy Bird with illustrations by Dan Santat is a light-hearted, humorous look at a boy who lives and dreams 24/7 all things Santa Claus. This year he is on a very specific quest.

Freddy Melcher was Santa's #1 Fan.

Every celebration throughout the year was an opportunity to dress up as Santa spreading Christmas cheer.  In his immense collection of Santa memorabilia which did include Santa underwear, Freddy Melcher lacked one thing, one very important thing.  He didn't have a picture with Santa after he came down the chimney.  He must have this photograph.  Nothing else would suffice to fill this gap in his gathered items.

In order to accomplish this mission, Freddy had to use every ounce of stealth and cunning he possessed.  This would be no easy task because Santa knows everything.  There were four steps to Freddy's objective.  He plotted and practiced all year long.

On Christmas Eve, no one knew about the four portions of his project he had in place.  What Freddy did not anticipate was failing with the final step.  He fell asleep.

CRASH!

Freddy was horrified by what he saw outside his window.  He could not get through the front door fast enough.  In the pile of what was left of step one of his master scheme was a note.  A range of emotions pulsed through Freddy's heart and mind.  The last line of the story sums up exactly what Freddy (and any other child chasing a dream) feels.  Hooray for those of indomitable spirit!


With a skill born of years working with children and children's literature, master librarian Betsy Bird pens a tale in tribute of children and their joyful spirit in pursing an adventure.  After the first statement, subsequent sentences offer support but it's her descriptions which elevate every portion of this story.  Freddy just doesn't want a picture with Santa, he wants one

with Santa, fresh out of the chimney.

Known phrases of this holiday are adeptly woven into the narrative.  Only someone with the heart of a child could conjure up the four steps of Freddy's undertaking. Reader's will sense the gentle rhythm with the use of alliteration and the technique of storytelling three supplied when Freddy is trying to reach a conclusion.  Here is a passage.

Freddy was vigilant.  It was almost midnight, and Santa
should be here any second, yeah . . . any . . . any . . .

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z . . .


When you unfold the dust jacket, the happiness of a snow-covered Christmas scene unfolds before your eyes.  Placing the decorated homes at night in the background provides the intended focus to shift to Freddy, in his Santa clothes, gazing with wonder into the Santa snow globe.  Readers will be entranced by the silhouette of Santa and his reindeer crossing the full moon.  (I really like the corresponding circle of the snow globe and the moon.) Illustrator artist Dan Santat already reveals his attention to detail in this setting with the word NOEL on one of the roofs and candy canes along the peak, glittering strings of lights, Santa on another roof and a smiling snowman in another yard.  Spot varnish on the lights gives the appearance of twinkling when the jacket is moved in the light.  Santa, his sleigh and reindeer and his magical dust along with the snow globe and text are varnished.  The title text is in red foil.

The book case is covered in green plaid wrapping paper.  Rows of Santa faces provide an additional pattern.  Crossed wide red ribbon is shown on the front and back.

On the opening and closing endpapers readers are given a close-up glimpse of OPERATION SANTA SELFIE-01 and OPERATION SANTA SELFIE-02 (next year) blueprints on Freddy's desk with a desk lamp providing illumination.  His drawings are labeled with the steps and speech bubbles.  In the lower, right-hand corner as if it's genuine, the caption reads

FREDDY MELCHER
OFFICIAL BLUEPRINT OF MELCHER INC.

Dan Santat's pictorial vision begins on the title page with a double-page image of Freddy, in his Santa clothing, working at his desk.  A Santa mug holds his drawing supplies.  The only light comes from the lamp.  The next double-page picture crosses the gutter into the verso and dedication pages on the left and we read the first sentence on the right.  It's a close-up of a grinning Freddy in his Santa attire.

Each illustration rendered

with ink, watercolor, and Adobe Photoshop

spans two pages or a full page to enhance the pacing.  Readers will pause at every page turn to notice the Santa elements in each scene, especially in Freddy's bedroom with his collection.  They will burst out laughing at the bus stop when Freddy appears in full Santa dress with a beard and green backpack on Talk Like a Pirate Day.  All the other students are dressed like a captain and crew straight off a pirate ship.  Without a doubt it's the expressions on the faces of Freddy and the other characters which heighten the emotional impact of the story.  Dan Santat uses light and shadow and shifts in perspective to great effect.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations, in addition to those previously mentioned, is a two-page picture.  It is Christmas Eve.  The only light in the setting comes from the open doorway to Freddy's bedroom.  His smiling parents are standing there looking at him.  In the darkness to the left and right of the doorway we can faintly see portions of Freddy's collection of Santa items.  In the front and larger than life is Freddy lying with his back to his parents and facing readers.  His eyes are wide open.  There is a faint smile on his face.  He is wearing green snowflake pajamas and a red snowflake blanket covers him.  This image is overflowing with anticipation . . . and something else, too.


You'll want to add The Great Santa Stakeout written by Betsy Bird with illustrations by Dan Santat to your professional and personal collections as fast as possible.  It's a hilarious look at the love of a child for Santa.  You'll find yourself cheering for Freddy Melcher and his efforts.  This is pure Christmas merriment.

To discover more about Betsy Bird and Dan Santat and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access the respective websites.  Betsy Bird has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  Dan Santat has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  The cover reveal and interview and book trailer premiere are found on Betsy Bird's blog at School Library Journal, A Fuse #8 Production.  Interior images and activities can be found at the publisher's website.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like . . . 2019

Children are most excellent observers.  No detail escapes their attention.  Most educators can attest to the fact their students notice if they get a haircut, are wearing different glasses, switch out their style of shoes or if they alter their everyday watch or jewelry.  Even the smallest change in the classroom or library setting will prompt a question.  That's another wonderful quality of children; their curiosity is rarely satisfied.

They want answers when something out of the ordinary happens.  Santa's Secret (Sleeping Bear Press, August 15, 2019) written by Denise Brennan-Nelson with illustrations by Deborah Melmon addresses a suspicious situation a little girl sees.  She is determined to discover the truth.

My parents had planned an adventure one day.
We loaded the car and went on our way.

From their home to the center of the city, the girl, her parents and grandmother sing Christmas carols.  (The family dog looks happy, too.)  Perched on her father's shoulders, the child has a perfect view of the festive parade.  Soon a red sleigh, carrying Santa, passes them.  The crowd roars with delight.

As the family walks along the city streets, the girl notices another Santa.  He is not the same Santa as she saw in the sleigh.  After announcing this out loud, her mother tells her Santa needs helpers to complete all his work.  Who is the real Santa?  Her grandmother tells her it's Santa's secret.  Only he knows who the real Santa is.  If Santa knows, this little girl wants to know, too.

Later, approaching Santa in his chair, the girl, armed with a pad of paper, pencil and questions, is ready to reveal the truth.  She asks question after question from simply wanting his name to the reindeer's favorite food and then to who helps him decide what presents to give. Does he ever take a vacation?  When she asks him if he is the real Santa, he answers without words.

When this Santa asks her a question, she complies and then goes with her family to a cozy coffee spot.  Sipping on her hot chocolate, she ponders her notes.  She then sees a startling sight.  Without hesitation, she moves to the quiet corner.  Before she can utter more than an

Excuse me

spoken words have her suddenly turning toward her mother.  When she looks again, her surprise turns to satisfaction.  Sometimes being a secret keeper is more important than being a secret solver.


With her opening sentences author Denise Brennan-Nelson promptly brings the joy, the secrecy and the magic of the season to readers.  This story in rhyme, each two lines conclude with rhyming words, creates an inviting cadence. A lively mix of text and conversation keeps us eagerly turning the pages.  Readers find themselves as anxious as the little girl to solve the puzzle.  Not only, through the narrative, do we come to understand the character, but we know her family to be supportive, loving and wise.  Here is a passage.

I had questions for Santa.  I would see what he knew---
About reindeer and elves and the rest of the crew.

I got out my notebook.  I would crack this case wide!
From a good detective, the truth cannot hide.


The wintry background in pale teal, with swirling snowflakes above the snowy ground, spreads from the left, back, across the spine, to the right, the front, on the matching dust jacket and book case.  The smiling faces of the three Santa Clauses, their clothing, glasses and body postures radiate happiness.  By placing the girl, full of curiosity, with her pencil and notepad full of questions, in the foreground, our curiosity is piqued also.  What exactly is Santa's secret?

To the left, on the back, a portion of the interior text, is placed beneath the child and her grandmother.  Her grandmother is whispering to her.  This makes us more excited to uncover the truth.

The opening and closing endpapers are as white as new-fallen snow.  With a page turn we see the family dog, tail wagging, sniffing the notebook and nearby pencil.  On the title page, the girl is seated on Santa's lap.  She and Santa are looking at each other with questioning eyes.

Illustrator Deborah Melmon has chosen a full-color palette with vibrant hues exuding warmth and cheer.  She alternates her image sizes from double-page pictures to full-page illustrations.  For emphasis on pacing several smaller visuals are grouped together on single pages or as part of a double-page image.  Perspectives are similarly shifted to accentuate emotions or moods in a moment.

One of my many favorite illustrations is the first double-page picture.  On the left from a few homes among rolling hills in the country, the road stretches into a bustling city.  With stones walls on either side of the road, the family's bright red car travels.  A Christmas wreath hangs on the front.  Everyone inside the car is singing, wearing their winter clothing.  The right side shows the city buildings festooned in greenery and lights.  Large evergreens are glowing with lights and shiny ornaments.  A large happy snowman watches everything and everyone from a rooftop.  When you look at this page (and all the following pages), it's like holding happiness in your hands.


For inquisitive readers with a thirst for the truth, Santa's Secret written by Denise Brennan-Nelson with illustrations by Deborah Melmon is a scrumptious holiday delight.  The playful, rhythmic words with the vivid, merry images will fully engage readers.  You'll want to add this title to your holiday collections to keep the spirit of Santa Claus strong in readers' hearts.

To discover more about Denise Brennan-Nelson and Deborah Melmon and their other work, please visit their respective websites by following the links attached to their names.  Denise Brennan-Nelson has an account on Twitter.  Deborah Melmon has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  To view interior pages, visit the publisher's website.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like . . #6

On December 19, 1843 the world was introduced to Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  Scrooge, a penny-pinching, irritable man, over the course of visits by four spirits, his old business partner, Jacob Marley, The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is completely transformed.  For the rest of his life he honors the true meaning of Christmas with generosity.

Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) published How The Grinch Stole Christmas! in May of 1957.  This creature and his dog, Max, attempt to stop Christmas from coming to the Whos in Whoville.  On Christmas Day from the top of Mt. Crumpit, Grinch is shocked to hear singing instead of sobbing down in Whoville.  They say

that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day! 

A bear whose grumpiness has made readers laugh in Mother Goose Bruce, Hotel Bruce, and Bruce's Big Move is back in a fourth companion title.  He is as cranky as ever in Santa Claus Bruce (Disney Hyperion, September 4, 2018) written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins.  Will Bruce's peevish personality surrender to seasonal cheer?

Bruce was a bear
who did not like the holidays.

Being a bear, Bruce preferred to slumber through the winter but his acquired family, four geese and three mice, had other ideas.  They wanted to have an old fashioned, shared Christmas.  The house was decorated courtesy of the geese and the mice made an enormous batch of eggnog.  Bruce was not happy about this; not happy at all.

To keep warm (he detested being cold) Bruce wore red, long underwear and a red hat when he was outside.  In a blink of an eye, a young raccoon mistook him for Santa.  Despite Bruce's denials, the youngster left announcing to the woods he had met Santa.  In another blink of an eye, multiple animals were gathered outside Bruce's home.  To his unending sense of dismay, one of the members of his family let everyone inside.

Bruce slumped in a car as critter after critter shared their secret Christmas wishes with him.  To make it worse, the parents arrived to thank Bruce for his. . . er. . . joy with their children.  While Bruce was trying to process yet another case of mistaken identity, Thistle (a mouse) announced

Santa Bruce is going to deliver presents to all of your kids tonight!

Bruce stalked toward his bed.  The mice had other ideas.  For every objection he made, the mice had a solution.  Reluctantly Bruce agreed to go out as Santa Bruce.  His crabby self was getting crabbier with every tug on the "sleigh" he ends up pulling and every complicated delivery.  All Bruce wanted to do as dawn breaks was sleep but he had no such luck.

HONK!


The comedic pacing Ryan T. Higgins supplies readers with his impeccable blend of narrative and conversational commentary by the characters is like opening a gift full of laughter with every page turn.  The other characters are oblivious to Bruce's sulking, gruffness and declarations which continuously heightens the hilarity.  Ryan cleverly and carefully leaves spaces in the text for his illustrations to complete a humorous moment.  Here is a passage.

Tell them I'm not Santa.

Everyone, listen up!
Single file!  No pushing!
Santa Bruce has time
to see all of you!
Who wants cocoa? 


You cannot look at the opened dust jacket, especially the front without laughing.  The contrast between the expression on Bruce's face and the faces of the young animals around him is funnier than funny.  Ryan T. Higgins includes the three mice who continually push Bruce into uncomfortable situations.  Notice the third mouse with the pencil in his hand at the top of the image.

To the left, on the back, a Christmas red provides a canvas for a loosely framed white oval.  One of the geese is walking with the three mice.  Two of them are carrying a large evergreen wreath with a big red bow.  This illustration is varnished as is the sign on the front.  Santa Claus Bruce is in red foil.

The book case, front and back, is one of Bruce's gifts wrapped in green paper with a red bow.  On the far left and far right the paper is ripped.  It reveals the gift.

The opening and closing endpapers are a scene in the woods.  It's serene with Bruce's house on the right.  In the first one, colored Christmas lights outline windows, the roof and door.  A wreath hangs between the front window and the door.  For the closing everything is now dark except for the starry sky.  Smoke still comes out the chimney.

As soon as you see the mice on the title page, you know something wild and wonderful is going to happen.  On the next page (verso) they are dragging a Christmas tree toward Bruce who is standing, arms folded, on the first page.  (The verso background is bright red.)

The illustrations created using scans of treated clayboard for texture, graphite, ink, and Photoshop are on full pages with large areas of white space for framing, full pages, edge to edge, and large double-page pictures, edge to edge.  For purposes of the passage of time, smaller images are grouped three times.  The body postures and facial expressions of the characters send the laughter factor sky high.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is a close-up of Santa Bruce hunched over in his chair.  He is not happy at all.  The parents have left after the announcement was made that gifts will be delivered.  One of the mice wearing an elf hat is giving the disgruntled bear a thumbs-up.  The other in a baseball cap with hands raised in the air cries out:

It's a Christmas miracle!


Santa Claus Bruce written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins is going to be a favorite in any setting, story times in schools and public libraries and for family read aloud gatherings.  You are going to get requests for repeat readings.  You might want to stock up on crackers.  I highly recommend this title for your professional and personal collections.

To learn more about Ryan T. Higgins and his other work, follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  Ryan has accounts on Twitter and Instagram.  At the publisher's website there are several pages of activities.

Epic Elf Ingenuity

Usually speculation increases around the date of the winter solstice.  In a few days a trip (defying most scientific evidence) around the world takes place in a single evening.  The speed at which the vehicle needs to move is said to be 5,083,000 mph.  Over decades individuals have compiled mind-boggling statistics on the number of cookies consumed, the glasses of milk drank, and the number of homes visited by Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.  For most children (and true believers), these theories are answered with a single word . . . magic.

It also seems Kris Kringle's driving record is flawless.  Surely we would know if there were ever any mishaps over the centuries.  Right?  Maybe the inhabitants of the North Pole have kept them a closely guarded secret.  The 12 Sleighs of Christmas (Chronicle Books, October 24, 2017) written by Sherri Duskey Rinker with illustrations by Jake Parker gives readers a look at a wonderfully funny and inventive scenario.  

Two weeks before Christmas,

and every elf

is building, rushing, racing, busy---

every elf is in a tizzy!

One major task is to inspect Santa's sleigh making sure everything is A-Okay.  When Tim, Crew Chief and Head Mechanic, with his group of elves see the sleigh, they discover it's in shambles.  It looks as if Santa raced around the world a bit recklessly.

As each elf voices an opinion on the necessary changes, it's decided, out of necessity and to keep the peace, a competition will determine the design of a new sleigh.  Santa will pick the winner.  Oh, the elves are busier than ever; hustling and bustling to build their idea of a marvelous vehicle.  The clamor they raise echoes across the North Pole.

The first team, on the first day, develops a dragster able to glide on the ground and zoom above the clouds.  No reindeer are necessary.  As each day comes and goes the modes of transportation shift from an enormous big rig, to a ship with fifty sails using air like water, to an unstable rocket and blimp combination, to a super-duper plow truck on tank treads, and to a motorcycle sleigh with a side car to hold the toys.

Days whiz by with travel by water, land, air and space all options for St. Nick.  On the twelfth day, Christmas Eve, the jolly man in red commends his elf teams.  Their astounding accomplishments are wonderful but he longs for what is familiar and comfortable and classic.  A voice from the smallest elf, working alone, shouts out what Santa has been waiting to hear.  It's the first of three revelations.

The true spirit of the workmanship, as readers imagine it, of the elves sounds off the pages with a joy from doing what is loved.  These lively individuals take a disaster and turn it into a spectacular display of creativity.  The rhymes written by Sherri Duskey Rinker roll off your tongue in a delightful cadence.  The blend of narrative and conversational comments provides upbeat pacing. Here is a passage.

Welders spark in the dark;

hammers bang, tools clang . . .

all night long,

going strong.

Grinding, buzzing, clanking,

whirling, twirling, cranking . . .

a squeal, a bonk,

A BONK!

A splat?  A quack?

Goodness gracious!

What was that?!

As soon as readers catch a glimpse of the opened, matching dust jacket and book case, they know this is no ordinary variant on the classic Christmas carol as Santa Claus roars above the evergreen tops through a snowy sky on the dragster sleigh.  To the left, on the back, he is followed by other sleighs built by the elves.  They are driving a locomotive, the rocket and blimp combination, a spaceship and the fifty-sail ship.  By the looks on all their faces, they are determined in their desire to be the best.  Can you imagine looking up and seeing this on Christmas Eve?  On the dust jacket the title text is in red foil.  Placing the letters in the folded ribbon gives this book timeless appeal.  

On the opening and closing endpapers in green and white are the blueprints for most of the sleighs.  They overlap each other as if spread on a work table.  On the title page, cans of magic fuel, a wheel, gears, hammers and wrenches are placed among holly, ribbons and a wreath.

The thicker, matte-finished paper is ideal for the color palette of mostly red, green, cream, yellow, blue, some white and a dash of pink and orange.  Jake Parker rendered these images in brush pen coloring them digitally.  He alternates between two-page pictures, single page illustrations and a collection of images on one page.  Once, two pictures appear vertically in panels like a comic.

His elves, with varied skin tones, are garbed in pointed hats, jackets with a big round button at the top, pants and mittens.  Their ears, noses and different colored tufts of hair help to distinguish one from the other.  They are so animated you would hardly be surprised to hear them talking.

One of my many favorite illustrations is for the quoted text.  It's a panoramic view of the northern landscape spread across two pages.  On the left are billowy clouds along the horizon.  Evergreen trees frosted in snow dot the hilly vista.  A road curves from the bottom left into the village at the North Pole.  Smoke rises from chimneys.  A sign reading 

ELVES AT WORK

is in the snow on the right page.  Behind it their workshop, several stories high, is glowing with lights.  Stars, the result of their efforts, are shooting from the building's walls.  A crescent moon hangs in the sky.  This workshop is on the edge of a cliff. 

Reading this book, The 12 Sleighs of Christmas written by Sherri Duskey Rinker with illustrations by Jake Parker, silently to yourself is truly a pleasure but when you read it aloud, it's a whole fresh experience.  Through the words and art you become a part of the story.  Your readers who gravitate toward the vehicle sections of your libraries will love this book.  Others will enjoy it too for the cleverness of the elves.  You will want to make this a part of your collections.

To learn more about Sherri Duskey Rinker and Jake Parker and their other work, please follow the links embedded in their names to access their respective websites.  Sherri Duskey Rinker is featured at KidLit 411 and HenryHerz.com. Jake has accounts showing his art at Instagram, Tumblr and on YouTube.  Sherri and Jake are on Twitter.  Jake Parker is highlighted at Smash Pages and byutv. His process for the cover is discussed in a post on the publisher's blog.  There is loads of artwork.  Several activities can be found in links at the publisher's website to extend the experience of reading this title.  Enjoy the videos.