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Pink Santa

 

 

 

Pink Santa

Pink Santa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pink Santa

Tanya Hennessy

Ben Whitehouse

Albert Street, 2023

24pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9781761180392

‘Twas the night before Christmas and everything in Santa’s workshop was ready to go – work done, lists checked, biscuits baked, gifts wrapped… But then Santa remembers his suit is still in the dirty clothes hamper from when he wore it last year and it desperately needs a wash before he and the reindeer can go.

 Being helpful, Rudolph volunteers to do it but when he takes it out at the end of the cycle, it has turned PINK. Can Santa be Santa in a pink suit? 

With rollicking, rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, this original story touches on being who you are inside rather than what you look like on the outside, even venturing into stereotypes and preconceptions formed on the basis of appearance. Will the colour of Santa’s suit really affect the joy and delight of the children in the morning? Indeed, with Santa’s proposal to make the following Christmas even more radical, older readers might want to trace how the image has changed since the days of St Nicholas in the 3rd century being variously depicted in the long garb of a bishop and particularly the influence of the Haddon Sundblom images of the 1931 Coca Cola campaign.  

But whether it is used as a stepping stone to learn more about the traditions, the man or ourselves, or just for the sheer fun of it, this is one to keep in your collection.  It is thoroughly modern and will cheer up anyone, even The Grinch!

 

Santa’s New Reindeer

 

 

 

Santa's New Reindeer

Santa’s New Reindeer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa’s New Reindeer

Caroline Crowe

Jess Pauwels

Faber, 2023

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

9780571375134

One week to go ’till Christmas Day,
The final touches underway,
A ribbon here,
a flourish there,
And presents piled up everywhere.

Santa smiled. ‘What could go wrong?’

It didn’t take long for him to find out.  Suddenly, there is a crash and a bang and Rudolph tumbles through the workroom roof after one of his flying tricks goes disastrously wrong!

And if that’s not bad enough, he has injured himself so now he can’t pull the sleigh!  And, on top of that, no one else has any flying reindeer to spare and using just seven will mean the journey won’t be completed in time!  What will they use instead>  The other reindeer make all sorts of suggestions, but each creature has an issue that makes them unsuitable, proving that only reindeer can pull the sleigh with its precious cargo.  But then Lizzie, the elves’ Head Inventor offers a solution…

For those familiar with the hijinks of Santa’s New Beard and Santa’s New Sleigh, this is another rollicking story that offers young readers an insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of that special place at the North Pole.  It’s a hive of activity all year round and they will have fun exploring all the details in the illustrations as well as suggesting solutions for Santa’s dilemma.

Every year there is a whole new wave of children who begin to appreciate the fun and excitement of Christmas, and their joy is palpable so to feed it with original and entertaining stories of the time is a privilege.  This series is definitely one to bring out during your Christmas Countdown.

 

Bunnies in a Sleigh

 

 

 

Bunnies in a Sleigh

Bunnies in a Sleigh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bunnies in a Sleigh

Philip Ardagh

Ben Mantle

Walker Books, 2023

32pp., hbk., RRP $A27.99

9781529507126

Christmas Eve and suddenly Santa’s elves are feeling very unwell because someone has given them sugary candy canes and they have scoffed the lot!  How will Santa finish those last-minute chores and deliver the toys?  But it’s OK.  The Bunnies have arrived, and this time, instead of taking over the bus or the boat, they take over the sleigh, giving Santa delivery ride he will never forget. 

Rhyming text and bright, detailed pictures create to the pace and excitement of this hilarious story of mad bunnies helping Santa, and young children will enjoy the chaos and mayhem as it unfolds.  It is likely to be one they will want to revisit again and again, if only to absorb all that is in the illustrations – in fact, they can start by trying to spot the culprit responsible for the elves being sick!

Something whimsical to add to the hype of the season.  

 

Peekaboo Santa

 

 

 

Peekaboo Santa

Peekaboo Santa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peekaboo Santa

Camilla Reid

Ingela P. Arrhenius

Nosy Crow, 2023

10pp., board book., RRP $A15.99

9781839946783

Anyone who has played peekaboo with a young child can still hear the squeals of delight as the hidden is revealed, and so this interactive board book with all sorts of things to discover is going to be greeted with great anticipation.

Start by focusing their thoughts on the season and the sorts of things that might be mentioned – a critical early reading behaviour that develops the ability to predict text – and then use the support of the rhyming structure to narrow their choices.   There are multiple sliders for young fingers to manipulate and a surprise ending that will have them giggling for ages.

An ideal way to build anticipation, context and the joy of reading a book that they can return to again and again, because even if they know the secrets it is the power of being independent that is such a drawcard.

 

Santa’s Stolen Sleigh

 

 

 

Santa's Stolen Sleigh

Santa’s Stolen Sleigh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Santa’s Stolen Sleigh

Tracey Corderoy

Steven Lenton

Nosy Crow, 2022

32pp., pbk., RRP $A16.99

9781788007771

 

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are two dogs who used to be robbers, but, having seen the error of their ways, now bake delicious treats and solve mysteries and sniff out crimes! In this new adventure, they  are off to Lapland to bake a festive feast for Santa and his elves. But there’s a Christmas crisis – the elves are unwell and can’t finish the toys! Does mysterious stranger and gadget queen, Flo Frost, really want to help? Or could she have her eyes on the most magical gadget of all . . . Santa’s flying sleigh?! It’s up to Shifty and Sam to race across the snowy slopes and save Christmas for everyone!

Written in rhyme, this is a story that will delight young readers with its sense of fun made even better because they can scan a QR code and have it read to them if they can’t manage it for themselves yet.  It is one of the latest in this series which has endured for 10 years, and so, those who are already familiar with Shifty and Sam will delight in seeing them again and putting all they know about them already into continuing their friendship. 

Pow Pow Pig 5: Snow Action

 

 

 

Pow Pow Pig 5: Snow Action

Pow Pow Pig 5: Snow Action

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pow Pow Pig 5: Snow Action

Anh Do

Peter Cheong

A & U  Children’s, 2023

240pp., pbk., RRP $A15.99

9781761068928

It is the year 2050 and the world is in trouble. In 2030 the rich animals of the world voted to stop helping the poor and as they became richer, forever seeking bigger and better while discarding their unwanted things instead of sharing them, creating a huge amount of waste.  And then the fighting started.

But all is not lost and Piccolo Pig (aka Pow Pow Pig) , inspired by his parents’ role model has yearned to join CHOC (Creatures Helping Other Creatures) to help make the world a better place through small acts of kindness. So as soon as he was old enough he joined, and now, after three years of training it’s Graduation Day. But he and his friends Danielle Duck (aka King Fu Duck), Chelsea Chicken (aka Cha Cha Chicken) and Barry the Goat (aka Barry the Goat) are not in the A Team but the Z Team.  So they are the last to be picked when it comes to world-saving missions,

So when a call comes in and they are the only ones left, it is up to them to save the situation.  Although they live in 2050, they have time machine that allows them to travel back in time but sometimes it doesn’t work as it should.

This time, they find themselves at the North Pole, and after being rescued from a giant snowball, find themselves in Santa’s village. But when they meet Santa himself he seems a little distracted… two of his reindeer, Comet and Vixen, are missing. And he’s convinced they have not left of their own accord. 

And so begins another zany adventure perfect for a Christmas read-aloud.  Written for younger independent readers  with all the attributes required to support their transition to novels including a larger font, a light-handed layout and many illustrations, as with his other series,  embedded in the thoroughly modern characters, action, adventure and humour, there is an underlying message that gives the story more than just fleeting entertainment value. By making the heroes creatures often associated with being underdogs and having them as the Z Team readers can learn that success can take many forms, that not all battles are won with might and power – a tea towel and a broom can be very effective when used cleverly – and that the desire to do well has to come from within. They can also visit other time periods in an exciting adventure, providing a gentle step into the concept of history and offering an insight into life in those times that is much more fun that facts and figures.

Something for the Christmas stocking of both fans of the series and Anh Do fans generally. 

 

 

 

 

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas

 

 

 

Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas

Matt Tavares

Walker Books, 2023

40pp., hbk., RRP $A27.99

9781529514193

Ever since Dasher left the travelling circus and went to live with Santa at the North Pole, Christmas has been her favourite time of the year.  Impatiently she waits for the big night to come, counting down the sleeps, but one night, when she hears the sound of Christmas carols she can wait no longer and she takes off on her own.  I’ll be back before they even know I’m gone,” she says with confidence before flying off.

Knowing that the North Star will always guide her home she is not afraid, but when the clouds build and it starts to snow, she loses the sound of the music and the sight of the star and before she knows it she is lost, hungry and tired. Until she sees a little house with a tree covered in lights in the garden…

Young readers will be familiar with the legend of Santa’s sleigh being pulled by magical reindeer. and may even be able to recite their names first given to them by Clement C. Moore. In the original story, they learn the backstory of these creatures and how they came to be Santa’s helpers, and this is a delightful sequel.  The digital illustrations that feature all that you would expect of a northern hemisphere Christmas scene have a lifelike feel to them adding to the magic and consolidating it for just a little bit longer.. 

 

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present

 

 

 

Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present

John Burningham

Walker Books, 2023

48pp., pbk., RRP $A16.99

9781529508406

Christmas Eve and Father Christmas has arrived home at the North Pole, exhausted from pulling his annual all-nighter, and, after settling the reindeer in, all of whom are just as tired, he climbs into bed.  But then he discovers that there is still one present left in his sack – a gift for a little boy who lives in a hut atop the Roly Poly Mountains far, far away.  

Will Father Christmas get out of bed, get dressed and make the arduous trip to deliver this gift.  Of course he will, because he knows that the little boy’s parents are too poor to get him a gift so the only thing he receives is what Father Christmas leaves him.

Every year books about Christmas come and go as regularly as the season itself, and it is rare to find one so good that it has endured for 30 years but this is one of those, and this is a special 30th anniversary edition.

Father Christmas decides to let the reindeer sleep and sets out on his journey alone, encountering all sorts of challenges but finding people ready to help him when he needs it, as he continues doggedly onward with no thought of not achieving his goal.  Burningham’s iconic illustrations add so many layers to the story so although the text is straightforward consisting primarily of Father Christmas explaining his problem and strangers offering to help, there are riches to explore and opportunities for adult and child to talk about what’s really happening so they can retell the story of the return journey shown in just one wordless spread by themselves.  What else could possibly go wrong? And not only will they empathise with Father Christmas finally getting back into bed, but they can speculate about what it might have been that he left for Harvey Slumfenberger.

Some of the parents of our younger readers will remember this from their own childhoods, so there is the added bonus of creating new memories as they share this with their own children.  Nestling in my box of best Christmas books is the original and this one will be there too – my granddaughters will have a copy each.  

 

Little Puggle’s Christmas

 

 

 

Little Puggle's Christmas

Little Puggle’s Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Puggle’s Christmas

Vikki Conley

Hélène Magisson

New Frontier, 2023

32pp., hbk., RRP $A26.99

9781922326812

Christmas is Puggle’s favourite time of the year as everyone helped to put together a very special day for each other.  All he wanted to do was help them as they went about their special tasks, and to their credit, Long Tail, Lacy Tail and Mama Grey were willing to let him try.  But even though he told his legs and his claws  and his arms to be careful,  somehow things didn’t go as planned.  What can you offer when all you are clumsy, spiky and waddly?  Despondent, Little Puggle wandered away and sat looking at the sparkly night sky.  And then he made a special wish on a falling star…

We first met Little Puggle when he saved the bush choir’s performance to celebrate the birth of the emu chicks, and to have him back with a special Christmas story complete with the most glorious illustrations is a treat in itself.  Once again the message of being yourself and making the most of what you can do is strong, and will particularly resonate with young readers who also want to help with the preparations in their own home but are just a little bit little to do some things.  But, maybe instead of wishing upon a star, the family could work out just what they could do and that becomes their personal task to be responsible for – even if it’s just making sure the presents are still under the tree each morning!

Loved it!  

The Wish Sisters: The Christmas Wish

 

 

 

The Christmas Wish

The Christmas Wish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Christmas Wish

Allison Rushby

Karen Blair

UQP, 2023

108pp., pbk., RRP $A12.99

9780702266362

When Flick and Birdie’s Grandma Aggie found an imp in an old bottle and wished for her granddaughters to have unlimited wishes, it seemed like it would be a lot of fun.  But then Imp twisted the wish so that only  Birdie could have the wish. But Birdie is a baby and that can get tricky when one so young and immature and isn’t yet talking has so much power.  So Flick has to be really careful how things are handled.

Christmas without Grandma Aggie is making everyone sad and while Flock knows that her gran would want this to be a special time for them all, particularly Birdie, she’s finding it hard to find her Christmas spirit.  To cheer them up, Mum and Dad invite the neighbours over to decorate gingerbread houses. After a few false starts because Birdie gets confused, all is going well until Mrs Mortlake brings up Christmas wishes, giving baby Birdie all the wrong ideas…

This is the latest in this series  there is an emphasis on family and friendships and the importance of strong, positive connections between them, with the teachers’ notes offering some relevant questions to consider and discuss that not only relate to Flick and her feelings but also those of any students facing their first Christmas without someone special at the table.  Through the story, they can see that their emotions are valid and validated and that it is okay to not have a happy face all the time. With Flick, Mr Tran and Mrs Mortlake all having different reasons for feeling off-kilter it shows that times like this when there is such an emphasis on happiness and ho-ho-ho that it is not necessarily that for everyone and so readers are encouraged to be sensitive to the needs of those around them.

Written for young girls, particularly, who want a bit of escapism without too much tension, especially those with younger sisters who can be troublesome at times, this is a series that is very much a book about being careful what you wish for.