Monday, December 8

5 New Holiday & Snowy Picture Books

'Tis the season for festive picture books! Here are some awesome, brand-new releases just in time for the winter holiday season.




Here Comes Santa Cat
Written by Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by Claudia Rueda
ISBN: 978-0803741003
Dial (October 21, 2014)

Cat has decided to be Santa, so that he can give a present to himself. Cat might not get one otherwise; he hasn't exactly been nice this year. But the job is harder than it looks. And being nice is even harder. Can Cat work out his own Christmas miracle?

I was so excited to see another Cat book—have you seen Here Comes the Easter Cat?? I love that one. And this one did not disappoint, either. Underwood has created a fun interchange between the reader and Cat; Rueda creates excellent illustrations for a word-less Cat who has a lot to say. Highly recommended.

Skippyjon Jones Snow What
Written and illustrated by Judy Schachner
ISBN: 978-0803737891
Dial (October 21, 2014)

Skippyjon Jones loves to play with his sisters, but when they choose to hear the tale of Snow White—"Nuh-uh!" Especially if kissing is involved. But when the cat-turned-chihuahua steps into his closet and into a snowy forest, he's in for his own fairytale adventure.

If you love Skippyjon Jones, then it really goes without saying you'll love his newest adventure. It's adorable and hilarious, with just the right amount of cleverness—just like his other ones. The illustrations are vivid and the story has just the right amount of rhyme and rhythm. It's a fantastic wintry-retelling of a classic fairytale.

The Animals' Santa
Written and illustrated by Jan Brett
ISBN: 978-0399257841
Putnam (October 21, 2014)

Little Snow has heard Santa is coming, but wants to know who he is. No one has ever seen him, and all take turns guessing if he's a wolf, badger, or bear. Determined, Little Snow stays up and is rewarded with a visit from the animals' Santa.

Jan Brett is an amazing author/illustrator that manages to deliver a fantastic book every year. Perfect for Christmas, her newest illustrations of snowy animals are (again, of course) amazingly detailed. The story is cute enough—if a little simplistic and unimpressive—and encourages the holiday spirit. If you're a fan of Brett, make sure to check this one out.

Snowman's Story
Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
ISBN: 978-1477847879
Two Lions (November 18, 2014)

With the help of some forest friends, a snowman comes to life, ready to read his story. But the mischievous bunny that brought his top hat steals the book! Snowman runs after him, determined to get his story back.

It's a wordless picture book, and Hillenbrand depicts an exciting chase in snowy landscapes. It also seems the kind of story that kids could relate to pretty easily: having something taken, thinking it's unfair, but realizing the reasons behind it. The reasons behind this chase were a nice way to end the book.

Frankenstein's Fright Before Christmas
Written by Rick Walton
Illustrated by Nathan Hale
ISBN: 978-0312553678
Feiwel & Friends (October 14, 2014)

The little monsters at Miss Devel's castle are excited—so much so they've lost their heads! It's Christmas Eve, and Santa is on his way; what will he bring them? But Santa and the monsters might both be in for surprise.

Still got Halloween on the brain? This here is a pretty comical parody of The Night Before Christmas with the cutest little orphan monsters. It definitely has its strange twists (yes, they literally lost their heads), but the festive illustrations and classic poem is sure to delight readers. Check it out!

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