Santa Duck

Santa Duck
by David Milgrim
Putnam
ISBN: 978-0399250187

Worried about "another year of socks and underwear" under the tree, Nicholas Duck sets off to find Santa so he can tell him what he really wants for Christmas this year. But on his way out the door, he finds a surprise: someone has left him a Santa hat. Pleased by the gift, he dons the cozy warm hat and sallies forth, until he's stopped by a persistent chicken (bock!), who starts to tell "Santa Duck" what he would like for Chistmas. Soon after, a cat, turtle, squirrel, rabbit and a gang of other excited animals rattle off their (hilariously detailed and extravagant) Christmas wish lists. Duck thinks they've all gone bonkers and runs far away, straight into the real Santa Claus. "No way!" Duck says. "Way," says Santa. Duck tells Santa what all the other animals want, but forgets to tell him about his own list. Poor Duck! Will it be another year of socks and undies for him? Check out this perfect holiday read-aloud to find out!

p.s. The final illustration shows all the animals cheerfully enjoying their gifts from Santa, who has given each of them something they wanted, although not everything they wanted. Thank you, David Milgrim, for ending this charming book in the true spirit of the season -- parents everywhere will appreciate this small yet important detail!

Merry Un-Christmas

Merry Un-Christmas
Written by Mike Reiss
Illustrated by David Catrow
HarperCollins Publisher
ISBN 9780060591267
A new bike, a computer, roller skates and a pony! What could be more exciting for Christmas? When you've just celebrated Christmas 364 days in a row, how about NOT getting a pony? The latest holiday book by author Mike Reiss and illustrator David Catrow, explores Christmas City in the state of Texmas where Un-Christmas comes but once a year. And what a treat that is! Un-decorating the tree! Taking down the lights! NOT shopping!

Reiss mines all the possible angles of this scenario and provides some fine laughs along the way. Can you guess what chubby man with a sack comes to visit on Un-Christmas.? (We can't tell and spoil the surprise!) Catrow, whose trademark illustration style is fun and funky as always. Ho! Ho! Ho! Fun! Fun! Fun!

Santa Knows

Santa Knows
Written by Cynthia & Greg Leitich Smith
Illustrated by Steve Björkman
Dutton Children's Books
ISBN 0525-47757-8
http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/
http://www.gregleitichsmith.com/
http://www.stevebjorkman.com/

Alfie F. Snorklepuss is a very silly boy. He does not believe in Santa and wants all the world to know it. He tells his little sister, Noelle, who thinks he's nuts. He scolds the kids at school, writes wicked letters to the editor, hits the radio and tv talk show circuit, and blabs his news on the World Wide Web. No one believes him. Still, Alfie is not to be stopped. On Christmas Eve, he waits up for Santa "to not arrive." What a surprise Alfie gets when the man in the big red suit shows up!

The authors expertly create a fun tale that explores Santa's world and provides some very surprising answers to those nagging questions about Santa and his mysterious magic. How does Santa travel so far in one night? How can he possibly carry such a load of toys? Inquiring minds want to know! From our first glimpse of Alfie on the title page, we know that he is a boy with an attitude. Björkman's animated watercolor perfectly capture Alfie's range of emotions from defiant to exasperated to remorseful and finally joyful. Santa Knows is a holly jolly read for the holidays.

Christmas in the Coop

We love this time of year! It's a time for caroling, merriment, gingerbread lattes, sleigh bells, shopping for gifts, waiting in lines, looking for parking spots, running up credit card limits, gaining weight, snapping impatiently at idiotic salespeople who don't know their own stock--

Oh my. Let's start over, shall we?

We love this time of year! It's a time to browse through all the heart-warming holiday books extolling the beauty of the season. We're all in favor of new authors creating new books, but we still have our sentimental favorites. Here's our list. We'd love to hear about yours, too!

Carolyn's favorites:

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, by Robert Barry. My best friend and I used to read this every year while eating ice-cream sandwiches. It's entirely possible that it's my favorite because of the ice-cream sandwiches.

My favorite holiday movie is A Christmas Story. If you have any doubt as to why this is such a classic, I have three words for you: Pink Bunny Suit.

Andrea's favorites:

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by the man! Just because you gotta love the Grinch!

How Murray Saved Christmas, by Mike Reiss and David Catrow. I love this because it makes my kids roll on the floor laughing.

The Christmas Crocodile, by Bonnie Becker, illustrated by David Small. I especially love the eccentric family in this book. They remind me of my own family!

My favorite all time Christmas movies: It's a Wonderful Life. The Grinch. Holiday Inn. And quite possibly the best animated short movie ever--The Snowman.

Julia's favorite:

Santa Mouse and the Ratdeer, by Thacher Hurd. Why? Because the Ratdeer's names are Blunder, Basher, Lousy, Loopy, Bugsy and Twizzlebum.

Now there's an author after a silly chick's heart!

Okay, folks, spill it! What are your favorites and why?