Stranger in the Woods

Authors: Carl R Sams II, Jean Stoick
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 48
Recommended Age: 3+

There's a stranger in the woods! Forest animals investigate this stranger, a snowman, that has taken up residence in their woods. The birds snap up the birdseed scattered on the forest floor around him, and a deer bites off his carrot nose. Meanwhile, unseen by the animals, two children watch in silence from their hiding place to make sure the animals eat all the food. On their way home, they wonder how many more carrots they'll need to make sure the deer don't go hungry before the snow melts.

This endearing book, especially suited for animal-loving children, will be a favorite winter story in no time. The illustrations are photographs taken out in a snow-covered forest and are accompanied by clever text and dialog from all sorts of curious critters.

The Jolly Christmas Postman

Author: Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Recommended Age: 4+

Now here is a fantastically fun book for all ages! When I was little I used to love the original version of this book The Jolly Postman, and I am very excited that a Christmas edition has joined it. This book centers around the postman who delivers mail to a magical neighborhood of fairytale and mother goose characters(such as the three bears, Jack of the magic beanstalk, etc). In the Christmas edition the postman is delivering holiday cards and gifts from one character of a given fairytale to another from the same tale.

What is even more fun about this book is that the letters are included! For each letter being delivered, there is a page designed, front and back, to look like a fully addressed and postmarked envelope. The envelope opens and the card, letter, or note is tucked inside for kids to take out and read for themselves. I think it is great fun to not just tell kids what is in each letter, but to actually include it for them to see for themselves.

This clever book is a great addition to any Christmas collection. Kids will look forward to it every holiday season for years to come.

A Wish To Be A Christmas Tree

Author: Colleen Monroe
Illustrator: Michael Monroe
Format: Hardcover Picture Book
Pages: 32
Recommended Age: 3+

This is a charming story about a forest pine tree who keeps getting passed over by all the people who come looking for a Christmas tree because he has grown too tall to fit in anyone's house. To cheer him up, all the forest animals he has provided shelter for over the years wait until he goes to sleep Christmas eve, then decorate him for Christmas(think of the animals decorating the forest in Frosty the Snowman). This is a touching story about friendship and helping to cheer up those who could use a little cheer.

Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas

Author: Jane O'connor
Illustrator: Robin Glasser
Format: Hardcover Picture Book
Pages: 32
Recommended Age: 3+

Okay, after years of super-seller Fancy Nancy books, they finally released a Christmas book last year! For those who are unfamiliar with Fancy Nancy: if you have a girl under about 6 they are must have books. Fancy Nancy is the quintessential little girl. She loves everything to be dressy and fancy, including her words. This is where the real value is. She loves fancy(often French) words and explains them when she uses them.

In her Christmas book it is all about getting ready for Christmas. She and her family go to get a tree, they go caroling, they wrap presents, and so on. When they decorate the Christmas tree Nancy is super excited to put their beautiful star on top, but when she is playing with the dog, there is an accident and the whole tree falls over and the topper get broken. Nancy is "devastate, which is upset only a zillion times worse!" until her grandfather arrives and shows her that they can make the best of it by making a new tree topper themselves. Robin Glasser's fun, extravagant illustrations compliment the "fancy" tone of the story perfectly.

Christmas for a Kitten

Author: Robin Pulver
Illustrator: Layne Johnson
Format: Paperback Picture Book
             Hardcover Picture Book
Pages: 32
Recommended Age: 3+

This is a sweet tale about a little kitten who is separated from his mother and ends up eventually being adopted by Santa Claus! It is a delightful story that will be fun to read over and over. Painted illustrations compliment the story nicely. Especially great for homes with a pet!

Winter's Gift

Author/Illustrator: Jane Monroe Donovan
Format: Hardcover Picture Book
Pages: 32
Recommended Age: 2+

This is a beautiful story about a Christmas miracle. When a horse gets lost in a snowstorm, an old man finds her collapsed in the woods and barely manages to lead her into the shelter of his barn. When he goes to check on her in the morning, he discovers that during the night she gave birth to a little colt with a perfect star on his forehead.

I used to recommend this to almost everyone who came into the store when I was at Barnes and Noble because it is such a sweet story. I think the underlying lesson that it is always good to help those in need and that you never know what additional good will come of it is a great lesson for kids of all ages.   

The Advent Storybook

Author: Antonie Schneider
Illustrator: Maja Dusikova
Format: Hardcover Picture Book
Pages: 64
Recommended Age: 3+

Here is another great book to incorporate into your holiday traditions! It is a collection of short stories to go with the days of advent. The primary story is about a mother bear helping her cub to deal with his impatience for Christmas to come by telling him a story each day when he opens a door on his advent calendar. The stories are about another little bear journeying toward Bethlehem for the nativity. This is an endearing book with sweet illustrations and children will quickly identify with the young cub who is so excited for Christmas he just doesn't want to wait anymore.