5 comments about The Night Before the Night Before Christmas (Reading Railroad Books).

1. We love this book. My three year old daughter loves the story and illustrations as do I. It also hits home as a parent during this frantic time of seeming unbridled avarice. Love is the best gift of all. Buy this book today and snuggle up with the ones you love for a hilarious spin on the classic poem. Happy Holidays!



2. This twist on Clement C. Moore's Christmas poem is one that parents can really identify with! It's about all the things that can and will go wrong during Christmas preparations, like burnt cookies. Yet the spirit of the holiday wins out. My daughter really likes this book and I think it is a pleasure to read to her. I don't agree with the editorial review that it, "...scans awkwardly and does not easily lend itself to sharing aloud." I love the illustrator's style too. It's a very cute and clever book that is worth having in your Christmas library.



3. ...this is their favorite Christmas story.
   
   As a housewarming gift, I picked up a pair of Christmas books for my friends' children last year. This year, their mother again thanked me for "The Night Before the Night Before Christmas." It had become her kindergartener's and pre-schooler's favorite. In fact, it was the only story the pre-schooler wanted to hear.
   
   For fun, I ordered myself a copy. It is now my favorite too. Following the cadences of "The Night Before Christmas," readers are invited along to witness a typical, loving family's Christmas challenges. Page after page of endearing illustrations will enchant readers of all ages. Not even the most dedicated Grinch can resist.
   
   Don't wait another year to pick up this great story.



4. This book is a clever and funny version of the "Night before Christmas". The kids think its funny and as a mother, I found it to be VERY true to real life on the nights before the big day, but with a comical twist!! The price is right...we gave these to friends and neighbors instead of holiday baking!



5. My family and I love this book. A favorite at Christmas, its a nice take on the traditional version. Having 3 kids and reading stories constantly, you relish and enjoy the ones that are unique and fun to read.

5 comments about Toot & Puddle: Let It Snow (Toot and Puddle).

1. Who doesn't love Toot & Puddle? This book talks about the two's desire to find the perfect gift for the other. The love the characters show each other gets to the root of what we want children to understand about giving. The art work is, as always, beautiful. I love these characters and this book gave the perfect holiday, sentimental feeling. Every toddler should have the chance to hear this book this holiday season.



2. Super addition to any Toot and Puddle collection! Illustrations are as charming as the text. Another homerun! Adults and children alike will enjoy this one.



3. A beautiful book with gorgeous pictures. Something to treasure forever and make a great addition to a collection.



4. Reviewed by Avery Connett (age 6) and mother Erin Flynn for Reader Views (1/08)
   
   This is yet another book in a series featuring piggy friends Toot and Puddle. One is a contented homemaker and the other lives for adventure, yet, together they work because of the love they have for each other.
   
   The point of this book is wonderful: How to choose the perfect present for someone you love. In this case, it's Christmas and four round cut-outs of sweet illustrations are provided at the back of the book to make your own decorations. That is another point of the book-- that homemade, thoughtful gifts are best. As Toot says, "He knew that the best present was usually something you made yourself, a one-of-kind thingamajig, not just a whatsit anyone could buy in a store." We can all use that reminder.
   
   Six-year-old Avery liked the book because, "the story was about Christmas and making your own presents." She added that "the pictures are funny and have lots of color. I like the pigs because the pigs are always doing something new in each of the pictures." The illustrations are delightful for all ages. The pigs are simple, watercolor (?) illustrations that are expressive and warm. And just as each photo tends to feature both pigs, the story line tends to focus upon the friends caring for each other in their own special way. It's touching, simple and effective. (However, it is the kind of book that younger kids need read to them as there are words like "suppress" which may elude the first-grade set.)
   
   We heartily recommend "Toot & Puddle: Let it Snow" for conveying the importance of friendship and gift giving throughout the year.



5. Very, very cute! Holly Hobbie does such a great job on her Toot & Puddle books, we really enjoy them! Thanks!

2 comments about Geronimo Stilton #12 (Geronimo Stilton).

1. Merry Christmas Geronimo
   
   The book that I am doing for a book review is Merry Christmas Geronimo By Geronimo Stilton. This book is a fantasy book. This book is about a mouse that live in the city called New Mouse City, and he is having a bad day , first Geronimo gets hurt by ice skating then a car hits him then the worst thing that happened was that his house started on fire because he went to work and he left a candle burning and it started the house on fire. I recamond this book to people who like fantasy books. This book is like Magic Tree House books.



2. I enjoyed reading this book. I liked that the main mouse had many obstacles to overcome, but he always succeeded. He's funny, too. It was very well written and perfect for a 1st through 4th grader.

5 comments about Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale.

1. I give my two young boys one Christmas book to open every Sunday until the end of December. They keep coming back to this one at bed time. Simple but magical.



2. This book is beautifully illustrated. The simple story has enough repetition for little ones to quickly start reading aloud with you. The story of love, acceptance, and putting others first told in this book is heartwarming and delightful.



3. I fell in love with the illustrations. Especially the animal's eyes. Peace and love permeate each scene. Beautiful way to tell the Christmas story.



4. This is a sweet book for a little one. It tells the story of Jesus's birth in a way that someone very young can understand. The picture illustrations are so beautiful, they almost tell the story themselves. A great way to introduce a child to the real meaning of Christmas and certainly a book for them to read over and over every year.



5. My 2 yr loved this for christmas. Just long enough for a short attention span. Illustrations are beautiful.

5 comments about Big Susan.

1. A wonderful book written and illustrated a while back by renouned author and illustrator Elizabeth Orton Jones. Mz. Jones recently passed away and will be sorely missed in our community.



2. Big Susan and I became friends 45 years ago, give or take. But with moving etc. I didn't know where she was. Having seen her advertised I thought I would enjoy her again. My only children are cats, so I couldn't really share Susan with them, which may have been why I lost track of her. Having had a learning disability I read slowly when I was young, I'm much faster now, and remembering her so fondly I gave myself a treat.
   
   Big Susan is a reminder of gentler and simpler times, when things ran on imagination and good will, and not on batteries and lasers. While I loved it, I tend to be from a less bombastic generation, but I still think this is a lovely book that should be enjoyed and imagined with.



3. I cannot believe it! I have been looking for this book for 53 years! I had read and loved it to death as a 7 year old - I borrowed it so many times from the school library that I practically wore it out. Once I became an adult I wanted to find this precious book for my own daughter and alas - it was no longer in print. I hunted and hunted!!! NOW - here it is again! I now can share this magical story with my granddaughter! I always thought that MY dollies came to life when I slept each night - that book proved it! A MUST for every little girl and boy to read. Pure magic!!!



4. If you or some little person you know likes dolls and doll houses, read this book to them. Big Susan is the name of the little girl who "owns" the doll house that the Doll family lives in. The story focuses on Christmas Night when the dolls come alive. It is a family story of love, sacrifice and sharing. It is a great book for little people who know their dolls can talk and come alive when they are asleep.
   I checked this book out of the library as much as I could get away when I was a kid. My local library burned when I was in high school, and one of the library staff asked if there was anything I wanted as a souvenir. I asked for one thing, "Big Susan. I still have the book and reread it several times a year.



5. Here's a story that combines imagination with reality in such a whimsical way that children (and grownups) will appreciate Mr. and Mrs. Doll as they face the pickle they are in. Readers will hurry through the book, hoping that Big Susan comes back to the doll house to keep the promises she's made. Afterwards, you and your child may find yourselves doing some spring cleaning in your own dollhouse. A truly good read.

5 comments about Librarian's Night Before Christmas (Night Before Christmas Series).

1. A friend of mine gave me the Librarian's Night Before Christmas as a birthday gift and I found myself living every moment of the story. What librarian wouldn't want Santa and his elves to bestow much needed gifts upon the library?!
   
   As a librarian, I totally could relate to this story. It is well written and even though it is entertaining, it isn't "too" cutesy. This book reads easy and is packed full of wonderful illustrations that captivates my 8 year old every time we read the story together.



2. This is a must have for those who love books and libraries. I shared it with the school librarian and she was delighted!



3. As a long-time library user, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it for the sheer enjoyment. The text flows smoothly with lovely images that will make it a delight to read out loud. I love the illustrations, too - Santa's hat cracked me up.
   
   I also want to purchase multiple copies to send to my library's leadership as there are several zingers in there about the effect of the lessening financial support for libraries.
   
   As a librarian, though, I see that this book reflects a major problem of librarianship today - it does not recognize that a library is much more than a warehouse for books. (For that reason, I've knocked one star off the rating.)
   
   THE FUNDAMENTAL PURPOSE OF A LIBRARY IS TO PROVIDE A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES. By whatever means legally possible. Print, non-print, electronic, programs, outreach, whatever.
   
   Our young people in particular do not limit themselves to learning from books. They learn from everything around them, using whatever method they can find. Yes, this includes websites and Wikipedia, but it also includes looking for experts (people) in blogs, discussing issues in chat rooms, creating and sharing videos with friends, and learning life skills from gaming. (Failed and died? Pick up and start again. Can't do it alone? Put together a team and lead them to success.)
   
   They take this attitude of curiosity to every aspect of their lives, seeking better, faster ways to find quality information. (Need to get an answer to a question? Text message your local librarian.)
   
   Libraries can and do provide access to all of these methods and more. The problem of the lack of funding that is illustrated so clearly in the book is important, but it should have been related to the effect on all library services instead of harkening back to the library of our youth. We are that library - but we are also much, much more.
   
   Thank you for a delightful book, Mr. Davis, but go explore your local library a little deeper.



4. David Davis's book is a wonderful Five-Star Christmas tribute to librarians and all the good they do all year round! For all of us who depend on libraries for our education, inspiration, and entertainment, Davis's message on supporting our libraries is both timely and serious! Libraries bring such joy and peace and love! Thank you for the beautiful illustrations, Jim Harris, and the great words, David Davis!



5. Was bought for grandson whos mother
   is a librarian. It will become a xmas tradition in his house.

5 comments about The 12 Bugs of Christmas: A Pop-up Christmas Counting Book by David A. Carter.

1. I am a big fan of David Carter's bug pop up books. At first the concept seems a bit odd and off setting, but they really are cute bugs, and the interactive elements are quite thoughtful and inventive.

   This book goes through the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas," but makes up new words that are related to his buggy creations. Throughout the book, you open each present (lift the flap), to see the bugs inside. Inside each package is some type of pop up element (my favorite is the one that comes complete with tinsel). Each is creative, delicate (as one reader mentioned), and attention getting.

   My only reservation about this book is that the interactive elements are not as diverse as in his other Christmas book, Jingle Bugs. With this book, it is basically entirely lift the flap, whereas the other one has different types of activities throughout. However, I do like the fact that you can sing to this one (a great plus in keeping little ones interested).




2. My 6 and 2 year old kids love this book and wanted to read it over and over during Christmas. The bugs are really cute and Christmas themed. There are tinsel bugs, gingerbread bugs, fruitcake bugs, yodeling Christmas tree bugs. The pop ups work smoothly.

   You can even sing the book to the tune of 12 days of Christmas - if you can stand it.




3. My 3 1/2yr old bug lover is enamored with this book (and Jingle Bugs too). He LOVES to sing the 12-bugs-of Christmas and it is good for his memory skills to try to remember them all. When he hears the 12-Days-of-Christmas on the radio, he always points out how it is so similar to HIS song! Ha!



4. 
   
   Our great grandsons (ages 2 and 4) are enjoying the book and begging constantly to have them read.



5. This book is really great. It is full of cute bugs and great pop-ups. My daughter loves it and we sing it all year.

5 comments about Merry Christmas, Curious George! (Curious George).

1. and I just laughed when I saw the tree that George decorated with Dixie cups, X-Rays, gauze, bandages, people's get-well cards, and the like. The text doesn't win you over here, it's the pictures. I can't tell you yet what my kids think because I am giving this to them for Christmas, but I know they'll laugh too, especially my son because he'll wonder why he didn't think of doing that first!
   
   Very cute for young kids--but they need to be old enough to see the humor in the tree decor (won't be funny if they don't know what X-Rays are, etc.) At least, the parents can have a chuckle while they wait for their child to grow up a little!



2. I love all the curious George books. Who Doesn't?
   
   author of "Hobo Finds A Home"



3. I honestly can't review the book, because it never arrived! I ordered it for my nephew on Dec. 2nd, and it didn't arrive in time for Christmas. It's now Jan. 2nd, and it still hasn't arrived. Two other items ordered from Amazon haven't arrived either. (One is a My Little Pony Christmas book which I ordered for my niece...)
   This experience is not typical of Amazon, and I welcome a customer service rep to contact me to get it straightened out.



4. We love George! Book came and we were so excited. George always gets himself into trouble but also gets himself out of it! We started our George collection in 1999. My oldest son received his first stuffed George for his birthday! He carried that George around with him everywhere. Our second son has loved George since he was a baby. We love to read and George books make it fun. This book is as great as all the others.



5. This is a very nice, fun book for a child who loves Curious George. I am saving it for Christmas. He is going to love it. I do.

5 comments about The Night Before Christmas.

1. This is a classic. The art work is very nice and it will be a great read every Christmas with the kids.



2. This is a beautifully done book. It is the same classic story we all know and love, and the illustrations are brilliant. Mary Engelbreit's drawings fill the page, are colorful and detailed. Everytime you look at the pictures you will notice a small detail that you've previously missed. My daughter is 3 months old, but when I read this to her, she actually stared at the page with wide eyes as if she was amazed at all the colors. This is certainly one book I will buy for my friends' children, and I highly recommend it.



3. Book is so beautifully illustrated, it does the classic poem justice. It made a great "first christmas" gift.



4. This version of "The Night Before Christmas" is by far the best illustrated edition I have ever seen. The artwork is incredible. My children love looking at all the vibrant, detailed pictures, and I even pause while reading the story so I can look at the pictures too. It seems like I find something new in the artwork everytime we read the story. Make sure to get a copy of the book for each of your children. You will want to pass this down to them so they can read it to their own children some day, and I would hate to have to choose who would get this beautiful book, and deal with the ramifications of the one who did not!



5. It's classic Engelbreit at her best. Exquisite detail in the drawings. It's a book to savor alone, read aloud to children and share the pages, or just keep it enticingly on your coffee table.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5 comments about Nutcracker Ballet.

1. it was christmas 1989 and before the holidays my grade 1 class was studying this book and we even saw the ballet downtown and I thought it was so pretty that my mom bought me the storybook and I really loved all the illustrations and my favourite parts were how big the candies were. I plan to see the ballet again if it plays again in my hometown this christmas.



2. This is a fine, beautifully illustrated companion to a child's first Nutcracker. While the text may be a little advanced for smaller children, the illustrations will bring the ballet to vivid life. The picture of the Mouse King may be a bit frightening for younger children (as it was for the young person to whom I read the story).



3. This book was a gift to two young grandaughters who had recently seen The Nutcracker Ballet on stage, for the first time. The book tells the story beautifully and is a wondeful keepsake. The girls love it!



4. We read this book to our sons, 4 1/2 and 2 yrs. old, before taking them to the Nutcracker ballet. It is great version for introducing kids to the storyline. Nice illustrations and just enough text for young children.



5. This is a beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of the Nutcracker simply and well. I bought it with the George Balanchine's Nutcracker DVD and the book very closely follows the DVD. This is handy for explaining the story to young children (except the DVD does call the girl "Marie"... young children don't mind). My four-year-old daughter loves the book and isn't frightened by the Mouse King scene (which is short, but does contain a few graphic words like putting a sword in his heart). I can overlook this because the book is so well done.