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The Twelve Days of Christmas

Dec24

 

 

 

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Don Daily

Running Press Kids, 2024

20pp., board book, RRP $A14.99

9780762486700

On the first day of Christmas…

Beginning on Christmas Day, the twelve days of Christmas traditionally embrace the days following up until January 5, the day before the Epiphany which commemorates the arrival of the Magi and this song marks each of those days. Given that it dates back to at least the late 18th century when it was first published in  an illustrated children’s book, Mirth Without Mischief, it has evolved over generations with the current version attributed to Frederic Austin in 1909.  And with such a long history, it has been published, adapted and presented many, many times so one wonders what could make yet another version stand out.

The answer lies in the illustrations.  While the text is that of the familiar song, Daily has interpreted them in his iconic, detailed style that brings a whole new magic.

A peek inside...

A peek inside…

Its board book format is ideal for small hands as families share this classic and they begin to learn the words of a song that they will hear again and again.  The perfect finale to this Christmas Countdown. 

A Christmas Present for Roo

Dec23

 

 

 

A Christmas Present for Roo

A Christmas Present for Roo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Christmas Present for Roo

Sophie Sayle

Daron Parton

Lothian Children’s, 2023

32pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9780734422248 

It’s Christmas Eve and the bush babies are putting their presents for each other under the tree, But Echidna is fast asleep and when Kookaburra wakes her, she realises she hasn’t got anything for Roo.  She scours the bush for something appropriate but nothing seems quite right until she has a brilliant idea. 

This is a charming story for little ones that features many of our familiar wildlife that they will recognise, as well as being able to put themselves in Echidna’s shoes and consider what would be a great Christmas  present for a kangaroo.   It could also spark discussions about the nature of giving and getting and whether the best things are the brightest, shiniest and most expensive.  Or maybe simple is successful. 

Tatty Mouse Christmas

Dec22

 

 

 

Tatty Mouse Christmas

Tatty Mouse Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tatty Mouse Christmas

Hilary Robinson

Mandy Stanley

Catch-a-Star, 2024

16pp, board book., RRP $A14.99

9781922326898

Christmas is coming and Tatty Mouse is getting ready – making gifts, baking, decorating the tree…  But she is not known as the ‘make-it-mend-it mouse’ without reason so with everything she does she uses her precious toolkit to reuse, recycle and repurpose discarded items.  So as little ones share her preparations for a surprise for her friends, they get to lift flaps and search for hidden objects so they become as engrossed with the story as Tatty.

This is another new series from this publisher who understands the value of our youngest readers having quality stories that not only engage them but also empower them as they are actively involved in revealing the plot as well as being able to retell it to themselves independently.  And because Tatty’s tools are common and she uses readily-available equipment such as using food tins as baking dishes, they can start to think about how they could do the same.  Imagine the fun in creating a real cake mixture and then baking it so it is in little-person sized proportions.  

I wonder what she will do for her birthday! 

Socks: A Kid’s Christmas Lament

Dec21

 

 

 

Socks: A Kid’s Christmas Lament

Socks: A Kid’s Christmas Lament

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Socks: A Kid’s Christmas Lament

JD McPherson

Anika Orrock

Walker Books, 2024

40pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781536237023

Christmas morning has dawned and while the family is still asleep, a little boy sneaks downstairs to peek at what is under the tree.  He picks up a gift from his mother to his and gives it a shake, and, unable to resist, opens it.  But…

This is the worst gift I ever got!
It doesn’t beep or buzz or bop or rattle in the box!
Why’d they waste the paper on a lousy pair of SOCKS?

Where is the haunted pirate schooner? The pool-size trampoline? The laser sword, the Action Man, the bathtub submarine?  Despite having been extra good and kind, even bribing Santa with money stapled to his Christmas letter, it seems socks are all that is under the tree this year!

This is definitely a Christmas story with a difference – both in theme and presentation – a print version of the song of the same name, and includes a QR code that allows the reader to listen as they read.  But rather than just the audio of the original, this has visual interest with illustrations that depict the boy’s frustrations perfectly, with a variety of techniques used that express his frustration and add depth to the words. Unlike the song though, this takes the story a few steps further and there is a happier ending than a grumpy, ungrateful kid. 

 

Mr Santa

Dec20

 

 

 

Mr Santa

Mr Santa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Santa

Jarvis

Walker Books. 2024

40pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781529511574

Imagine… it’s Christmas Eve and you’re tucked up in your bed when something wakes you.  It’s Santa Claus leaving something special for you. What would you do?

Lie there quietly?  Pretend you’re still asleep?  Or jump up and pepper him with questions like, “Did you read my letter?” “Did you wipe your shoes?” and make him choose between cats and dogs.  Would you offer to play your recorder, follow him up the chimney and hitch a ride in his sleigh? Because that’s what happens to the little girl in the story – she wakes up and there is Santa, right at the end of her bed!!!

While the text is written entirely in the little girl’s incessant and numerous questions – and anyone with experience of a curious child demanding answers now, will hear her – the story is carried in the warm ‘fuzzy’ illustrations that hover between dream and reality so the reader is transported along on the adventure- because who wouldn’t want to be – but left wondering if indeed, it really happened.  Santa’s expressions are many and one wonders if he is pleased to have company on his trip or if he wishes she had stayed at home – or maybe he is glad that she is such a chatterbox and he doesn’t have to answer! . 

We know little ones always have lots of questions, and they often from left-field or places that only a child’s mind goes, so how much fun would it be to ask them what they would ask Santa if they found themselves in this little girl’s situation.  And then have them imagine what Santa’s answers would be. 

Stories like these not only reignite the excitement of Christmas that is building in our little people but also the joy in sharing stories with them as we are drawn into the magic and imagination.  

Delightful.

Find Spot at Christmas

Dec19

 

 

 

Find Spot at Christmas

Find Spot at Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find Spot at Christmas

Eric Hill

Puffin, 2023

16pp., board book, RRP $A16.99

9780241610329

It’s Christmas and it’s time to decorate the tree. But where is the star for the tip-top ?  As they search, Spot himself goes missing.  Where can he be?

It’s over 45 years since English author Eric Hill noticed his toddler son was fascinated by lifting up a paper and peeking at the picture underneath and thus conceived this series of stories about a puppy in a lift-the -flap format, first published in 1980.  Even though it is 10 years since his death in 2014, his stories are still being published and republished as their simplicity and interactivity continue to fascinate new waves of little people, because just as I introduced my little one to the stories way back then, so he did for his girls and now it won’t be long before they share it with their children. Such is the power of stories that invite the reader to not only be an active participant in their reading but also be able to retell themselves the story without adult help.

If we draw on our knowledge of Cambourne’s Conditions of Learning, then we know that one of the prime motivators of being a reader is the expectation that we will succeed and thus being able to tell yourself a story without adult intervention is very powerful.  So as our little ones draw on what they already know about Christmas and put it together with the simple text, clear illustrations and the fun of discovery this one is a winner for sharing in these days as the anticipation grows.   

 

Why I Love Christmas

Dec18

 

 

 

Why I Love Christmas

Why I Love Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why I Love Christmas

Michael Wagner

Tom Jellett

Puffin, 2024

40pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9781761344688

For many children, Christmas and the lead-up to it is the most exciting time of the year.  From the moment they open that first window of the advent calendar the countdown is on, and there are so many things to pack into those 24 days.  Decorations to make, gingerbread to bake, trees to adorn, presents to buy and wrap, parties to attend, carols to sing…the traditions are strong, predictable and much-anticipated. Even putting a gift under the community Giving Tree is now entrenched in many family routines.  But threaded through all of it and making it so special, like the tinsel on the tree, are the people we share those things with. Family, friends, relatives, community, strangers – it is a time to come together and just be grateful to have each other. 

From the ubiquitous tangle of Christmas lights to the memories of those no longer there to share the day, Wagner takes the reader through all the fun and excitement while Jellett’s iconic illustrations with their speech-bubble additions are the perfect accompaniment in this story that is made for sharing as little ones not only recognise the familiar rituals and routines but also share what happens in their families.  It’s an opportunity for our little ones to begin to appreciate that families are unique and each has their own special way of acknowledging this time, if indeed they do.  

It’s also an opportunity to look beyond what is done to why it is, as the origins of various events are investigated; to consider adding new things that embrace other families whose festivities  may differ; and think about what will be continued into the future.  But whether it’s the children gathering to greet Santa in the fire truck or families gathering in the park for Christmas carols and fireworks, the emphasis is on the togetherness, the goodwill to others, and the coming together of people that draws all the celebrations into one large package that make this such a special and joyful time.  Because no matter how much the surface events might evolve, the ribbon that holds it altogether through the generations is those we love. 

 

Merry Christmas, Little Wombat!

Dec17

 

 

 

Merry Christmas, Little Wombat!

Merry Christmas, Little Wombat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas, Little Wombat!

Charles Fuge

Walker Books, 2024

28pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9781760655105

In the bush. Christmas always starts with a lucky dip from Mrs Roo’s pouch and this year all the little animals have discovered musical instruments, perfect for tootling and banging and tinging as they march down to the beach for the Christmas party.

“I wish we had a Christmas tree,” Little Wombat muses, and suddenly, after they have been rolling and jumping in the sand, they did.  Not only that, there was Santa and a reindeer … and a very clean beach. 

Little Wombat and his friends are fast becoming a preschool favourite series as not only are the creatures familiar and seemingly the same age as they are, they do the sorts of things that little ones do while there is always a subtle message to gently absorb as they read – this one about being aware of how we treat our beaches.  Despite being an Englishman living in England, Fuge’s illustrations capture Little Wombat and those in his world perfectly with just the right blend of anatomical correctness and whimsy.  

While our little ones are no doubt seeing the traditional pine tree being decorated for this festive season – whether it is real or fake – it is an opportunity to think about how else they could make a Christmas tree from what is around them.  They might not have an echidna with a spiky back, but it only takes a little imagination… At the same time, older siblings might like to investigate why we have trees at all, as well as what inspired them to be decorated.  From seemingly simple books can come lots of learning… this one is going in my to-keep collection. 

When Santa Got Stuck in a Gum Tree

Dec16

 

 

 

When Santa Got Stuck in a Gum Tree

When Santa Got Stuck in a Gum Tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Santa Got Stuck in a Gum Tree

Jackie Hosking

Nathaniel Eckstrom

Walker Books, 2024

32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781760657406

There is a popular children’s song that begins…

When Santa got stuck up the chimney,
He began to shout.
You girls and boys, won’t get any toys,
If you don’t pull me out.

But what happens when Santa gets stuck in a gum tree?

He flew too low, and Ho! Ho! Ho! got snagged on the branch of a tree.

While the reindeer and sleigh land safely, there aren’t any children to help out so how is he going to be rescued? Luckily, it’s not long before a group of familiar Australian animals gather to help, and each has a go but it proves a task too hard.  Bilby is too small, as was Wombat, but what about Emu?  While Cockatoo flies off to fetch him, Koala is sure he can can help because he can climb but the tree is tall and there are gum leaves to eat…  Even Kangaroo can’t jump high enough…

Is Santa destined to stay stuck forever – or does Owl have a suggestion?

With its clever rhyming text and hilarious illustrations,  this is a uniquely Australian story that is going to appeal to all ages, especially if they are invited to suggest solutions to Santa’s problem or speculate on how the children will feel if there is nothing special under the tree in the morning because Santa is still stuck in the tree!

While our young ones are quite prepared to accept Christmas in its northern hemisphere guise of snow and ice, hot meals and stories around a blazing fire, and even Santa dressed in a warm furry suit (it does get cold at night despite the daytime temperature),  stories that depict the Australian situation are always welcome and this one is one of the best – right up there with All I want for Christmas is Rain and Christmas Always Comes. 

In the meantime, for you earworm pleasure… You’re welcome.

 

Snow Bunny’s Christmas Show

Dec15

 

 

 

Snow Bunny's Christmas Show

Snow Bunny’s Christmas Show

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Bunny’s Christmas Show

Rebecca Harry

Nosy Crow, 2024

24pp., board book, RRP $A16.99

9781805131076

Snow Bunny and her friends Mouse, Fox and Bear, live in the forest, and as Christmas draws near, they decide to put on a show.   As they build a stage, and put up lights and curtains, each thinks about what their act might be.  Snow Bunny has ideas for each of them, but just as she begins to think of what she might do, the audience begins to arrive.  There is no time for her to do anything but introduce the other performers.

At the end, while Mouse, Fox and Bear are receiving the accolades, Snow Bunny feels a bit left out but then…

As school concerts and other performances are in full swing, there are going to be those who are disappointed that they might not have the spotlight they desired, so this is an excellent (and original) opportunity to show them that it takes a team on the stage and behind it to put on a show, and one can’t happen without the other. It’s also a timely reminder to acknowledge the back-stage folk who work so hard as well as remembering that there are those who prefer to be back-stage and respecting those feelings.  Ask me how I know…