I received a sample for this review/feature. Opinions expressed are my own
I absolutely love October through December as it is full of one fun holiday after another. With each new holiday I get out our themed box of books to read. The girls get excited looking through all the books they have not seen since last year and they get even more excited for the new ones I add in. For the Christmas season here are 8 new releases from HarperCollins Children’s Books that are sure to put everyone into the spirit of the season.
Paddington and the Christmas Surprise has us following that beloved bear as he is off to the store to take a sleigh ride and visit Santa. The problem is that nothing seems to be going his way and the family must leave in a hurry. Mrs. Bird has an idea that might save the holiday and make it extra special for Paddington. This book is a true delight with amazing illustrations that captivate young children as you read the story to them. Paddington is a bear that every child should know and even though trouble always seems to find him everything seems to work out for the best in the end.
The Naughty List is a chapter book for ages 8-12. This funny story is all about the ever important list that decides whether or not you get what you asked Santa for. At 12 Bobbie has decided to ignore Christmas completely as she is done with it. The thing is she does want to help her 6 year old brother out and give him a great Christmas. Unfortunately her actions actually get him put onto the naughty list! She must make things right and travels all the way to the North Pole to fix things. Funny black and white illustrations scattered throughout the book compliment the funny story-line that will keep even reluctant readers intrigued. Nothing is as it seems and hopefully Bobbie is able to set everything right in time.
Splat the Cat Christmas Countdown is a touch and feel board book for ages 0-4. Splat is so excited for Christmas and you get to watch as he decorates the tree, wraps presents and enjoys the holiday with his family.
Pinkalicious and the Snow Globe is yet another fun book in the Pinkalicious series. Pinkalicious and her brother Peter want to celebrate winter vacation by playing in the snow but the problem is there is no snow yet. Their mother reminds them to be patient and takes them to the new shop in town for some hot chocolate. They find out the owner makes snow globes but since it has not snowed yet she has no inspiration to create new ones. Pinkalicous tells her all the fun things she likes to do in the snow and the owner tells her to come back next week for a surprise. My girls love books about snow since they have never seen any so this book was especially exciting for them.
I’m Cool! is all about the Zamboni Machine getting onto the ice and cleaning it up time for the next game period. A fun book full of bright illustrations to share with kids what exactly the machine is doing out there on the ice. It is almost like magic! A fun book for any hockey fan or in my daughters’ cases…soon to be ice skating fans.
Enzo and the Christmas Tree Hunt! is a touching story that reminds everyone about the true meaning of Christmas…family. Denny, Zoe and pup Enzo are off to the tree farm to find the perfect Christmas tree. They head over the bridge and deep into the woods to try and find the one that is just right for them. Zoe and Enzo are so busy playing in the snow that they soon find themselves lost from Denny! Enzo will do anything to protect Zoe and he knows what to do to call for help. Gorgeous illustrations accompany this amazing story that definitely warms my heart.
Flat Stanley on Ice is an I Can Read! book which is great for children still learning to read. Giant font paired with? colorful illustrations is a great way to get kids interested in reading. Flat Stanley is of course flat because a bulletin board famously fell on him making it so he is only half an inch thick. In this book he finds out how great at ice skating he is but he ignores his friends telling him to get off the ice because of the temperature rising. A fun book to coincide with the changing of the seasons.
Little Elfie One for ages 4-8 and is a holiday twist on the nursery rhyme “over the meadow.” Way up in the North, Where the reindeer run, A big mommy elf, Called her little elfie one. There is just something so fun about reading a book to this “tune” and it is exciting to see the way the author and illustrated have spiced it up for Christmas.
These children’s books for the holidays would make for great reading time together and a special way to get into the spirit of the season. Holiday themed books are extra fun and you will want to read these year after year.
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