There’s still plenty of time to tackle your holiday shopping list with these entertaining reads for winter and holiday enthusiasts! From newborns and first-time parents to educators who love sharing read-alouds with students to celebrate colder temperatures and the holiday spirit, we’ve picked our favorite reads for bookworms of all ages.
Winter Babies
by Kathryn O. Galbraith
illustrated by Adela Pons
“Vibrant… Pons brightens the snowy day with shades of purple, red, and blue in the children’s clothing and in lollipop like trees―which is particularly striking when set against the whiteness of snow.” ―Publishers Weekly
Spirited, rhyming text and colorful, graphic art reveal an energetic cast of babies having an action-packed day of play in the park on a cheerful winter day. Featuring diverse characters and highlighting early concepts like shapes and repetition, books in the Babies in the Park series encourage an appreciation of nature and outdoor imaginative play.
Buy Winter Babies today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!
The Santa Trap
by Jonathan Emmett
illustrated by Poly Bernatene
“An ideal Christmas present for children who prefer Halloween.” ―Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Bradley Bartleby is bad. Very bad. All the adults in Bradley’s life give Bradley anything he wants to avoid his wrath―except for Santa Claus, who refuses to give him anything but socks. But Bradley vows to get what he deserves. He transforms his house into a trap so fearsome even his parents refuse to enter it. With dynamite, trapdoors, guillotines, and tigers in his path, Santa doesn’t stand a chance. Or does he? Jonathan Emmet gives readers a Christmas tale from a new and devious perspective. Poly Bernatene’s illustrations perfectly complement this a hilarious and exciting story that will keep readers laughing from beginning to end.
Buy The Santa Trap today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!
Snow Day!
by Lester L. Laminack
illustrated by Adam Gustavson
“Laminack generates the increasingly hopeful energy to a fever pitch… Gustavson creates a festive mood with his oil illustrations, so luxurious and ample they feel like bundles of winter clothing, topped with bright scarves.” ―Kirkus Reviews
When the weatherman predicts a big snowfall, it’s hard not to imagine the fun-filled adventures of an unscheduled school holiday! You can build snowmen, go sledding, have snowball fights—the possibilities are endless. Except when the family wakes up that next morning, they find no snow! School is happening, and all their dreams of a winter wonderland are gone. But as the family piles into the car to head to school, an unexpected twist reveals who wanted the snow day most of all. Adam Gustavson’s expressive illustrations comically capture the excitement of pure possibility in author Lester Laminack’s clever take on a familiar childhood wish.
Buy Snow Day! today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!
Christmas in the Trenches
by John McCutcheon
illustrated by Henri Sørensen
“The text is clear and lyrical. Sorensen’s beautiful double-page spreads in sepia shades show the young men from the two sides celebrating together-with individuals just like them.” ―Booklist
It is cold and clear on Christmas Eve night in 1914. Suddenly, a strange sound pierces the darkness. Someone is singing a Christmas carol in German. As the Germans’ carol ends, the British soldiers across the field sing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Soon carols are being sung back and forth. Slowly, the British and German soldiers leave their trenches—and the war—behind to stand together in the open field. This beautiful, haunting story, based on the real-life WWI event known as the Christmas Truce, is adapted by award-winning songwriter John McCutcheon from his song of the same name. Henri Sørensen’s traditional, full-color oil paintings reinforce the emotional power and dignity of the story. Back matter features more information about the historical event.
Buy Christmas in the Trenches today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound!