LDN - Book Look

Children's book reviews

By Pat Schlough of the Lincoln Public Library

[DEC. 20, 2000] ^{^“}Mouse’s Christmas," Alan Baker. Copper Beech Books, 1996, 18 pages, ages 2-5.

It is a cold Christmas Eve and Mouse hasn’t seen any of his friends for days. Wondering if they have forgotten him this Christmas, he decides to visit them all. This oversized picture book is fun to look at as well as to read. As Mouse arrives at each animal’s house, the reader can peek through the window or door and see the animal. When the page is turned, a beautiful double-page spread shows how each animal is preparing for Christmas, and Mouse can be viewed through the door peering in. At the end of the day, very cold and tired, Mouse arrives back at his house to discover a very unexpected surprise. Baker’s book is full of large, bright illustrations and is sure to become a holiday favorite.

'The Twelve Days of Christmas'

[DEC. 20, 2000] ^{^“}The Twelve Days of Christmas," illustrated by Jan Brett. Dodd, Mead & Company, 1983, 25 pages, ages 3-7.

"On the first day of Christmas

My true love gave to me

A partridge in a pear tree."

This song is familiar to all, but it’s Jan Brett’s illustrations that make this book delightful. The French hens are dressed in their best finery, complete with wigs and lace. Look closely at the borders where families can be seen making Christmas preparations and "Merry Christmas" is written in another language — French for the French hens.

As you share this book with children, allow plenty of time to enjoy the detailed, colorful illustrations that seem to jump off the page.

Jan Brett has also illustrated "The Night Before Christmas," "Christmas Trolls" and "The Wild Reindeer."

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'The Dog Who Found Christmas'

[DEC. 20, 2000] ^{^“}The Dog Who Found Christmas," Linda Jennings, illustrated by Catherine Walters. Dutton, 1993, 28 pages, ages 4-7.

Buster, a very active puppy, finds himself alone and wandering the streets at Christmas time. His former family has put him out because of his chewing and breaking things. In his search for a new family, he encounters a snarling collie and a hissing cat who do not want him in their neighborhood.

When Buster hears singing, he decides to move along with the carolers, hoping they will take him home. To his delight, a man who opens the door to listen to the music decides Buster is just the dog he’d been looking for.

Walter’s illustrations contain the rich color and detail needed to make this a memorable Christmas story.

'Kit's Surprise: A Christmas Story'

[DEC. 20, 2000] ^{^“}Kit’s Surprise: a Christmas Story," Valerie Tripp, illustrated by Walter Rane. Pleasant Company, 2000, 71 pages, grade 4-6.

Kit and her best friend, Ruthie, were looking forward to the Christmas season until the Great Depression hit Kit’s family hard. Her father had lost his job and they didn’t have spare money for luxuries like new dresses, movie tickets or even Christmas presents. The final blow came when Kit overheard her parents talking about being evicted from their home because they weren’t able to make mortgage payments.

They took in boarders, and Kit was able to earn money to help by doing odd jobs for Uncle Hendrick. In Kit’s words, Uncle Hendrick was "exactly like Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’ before the ghosts visited him and scared him into being nice," and he also had a mean dog. All turns out well as Kit and Ruthie work out their problems and exchange gifts that are perfect for each other.

"Kit’s Surprise" is about problems, solutions, friendships, and a girl with spirit and resourcefulness. Kit is the seventh girl in "The American Girls Collection." This book, like the ones before it, has a section at the end with pictures and information about the time period. This is a good story to be enjoyed at Christmas or anytime.

'The Christmas Eve Mystery'

[DEC. 20, 2000] ^{^“}The Christmas Eve Mystery," Joan Lowery Nixon. Albert Whitman, 1981, 32 pages, grades 2-4.

Do cattle kneel, or bees hum a hymn, or horses talk at midnight on Christmas Eve? Mike and Susan, child detectives, want to stay up late and hide in the hayloft of the riding stable to listen to the horses. What they hear is the plot for a mystery that is just right for children ready to read at a level above beginning readers. The paragraphs are short, and every other page contains a picture. Did the horses talk at midnight? That’s another mystery for Susan and Mike.

[Reviews by Pat Schlough, Lincoln Public Library]

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