We received two new Christmas books from Albert Whitman & Company this week: What Am I? Christmas by Anne Margaret Lewis and illustrated by Tom Mills and The Christmas Pups by Teresa Bateman and illustrated by John Kanzler.
MES was super-excited because these books were totally her speed!
What Am I? Christmas
What Am I? Christmas
Author
Anne Margaret Lewis
Illustrator
Tom Mills
Hardcover
9780807589588
$9.99
Published 2011
Age Levels: 2-5, Grades: Preschool-Kindergarten
Pages: 24
7.50″ x 9.00″
Illustrations: Full color
Plot Summary
For young children, a lift-the-flap look at what makes Christmas special. From Santa to a Christmas tree, this is a sure hit for little ones as they guess “What Am I?” and lift the flap to find out!
MES thought this book was tremendous fun! She enjoyed guessing what each of the pictures under the flap could be. Lift-the-page interactivity is perfect for small children like MES. I like these kinds of books because they help improve vocabulary skills. The illustrations are colorful, bright, and Christmas-y! They are large illustrations too, perfect for little ones who don’t need a great many details but those bright, colorful graphics help teach the key symbols of Christmas. The paper is thick cardstock-like paper too so that little hands can turn pages and lift flaps without ripping paper. She was giggling the whole way through the book because of the fun pictures and the game-like format of the book. She really thought the candy cane page was hilarious. After I read, “I am a sweet treat, a candy cane. That’s me!”, MES exclaimed, “HEY! Candy canes can’t talk!” I’m not sure that a stocking or a Christmas tree can talk either, but she only recognized that CANDY CANES can’t talk! Kids!
About the author: Anne Margaret Lewis
Anne Margaret Lewis is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than ten children’s books. She enjoys working withfun characters and carefully weaving importan lessons into her stories. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she lives with her husand and four children in northern Michigan.
About the illustrator: Tom Mills
Tom Mills has over twenty-five years background in art direction and graphic design. An award-winning cartoon animator and illustrator, Tom has taught college classes in graphic design and creative thinking, and has been teaching animation to children for more than fifteen years. He lives in Traverse City, Michigan with his wife.
The Christmas Pups
The Christmas Pups
Author
Teresa Bateman
Illustrator
John Kanzler
Hardcover
9780807511602
$16.99
Published 2011
Age Levels: 4-8, Grades: Preschool-3
Pages: 32
8.50″ x 11.00″
Illustrations: Full color
Plot Summary
On an icy, December night, three puppies are rescued from the side of the road and taken to an animal shelter. Ruff and Tuff have the plan to ensure that their sister, Penny, finds a home for Christmas, even if they can’t. But with the help of an older dog named Brownie, the puppies learn the true meaning of Christmas…and find a home for all four of them just in time.
MES loves puppies, so this book was a great treat for her. She loved turning the pages, watching puppies play, and loving each other. Ballerina, the eight-year-old, even wanted to listen to this heart-warming story that teaches a subtle message about animal rescue. The two brother puppies sacrifice their own ability to find a home so that their sister, Penny, can find a home for Christmas. Of course, the book has a wonderfully happy ending with the grown dog, who has given up hope of finding a home, and the puppies all learning that Christmas miracles do happen!
About the author: Teresa Bateman
Teresa Bateman is the author of many books for children, including Paul Bunyan vs Hals Halson: The Giant Lumberjack Challenge, The Bully Blockers Club, and April Foolishness. She is a children’s librarian and lives in Washington State.
About the illustrator: John Kanzler
John Kanzler has been creating illustrations for the children’s market for fifteen years. Recent releases include Whose Feet? and Safari Sounds. John and wife, Diane, live in Greenfield, MA.
You can order both of these books and other great titles from Albert Whitman Books or other book retailers.
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| Lauralee Saad loves homeschooling her three kiddos: Ballerina, age 8, Big Boy, age 6, and MESS, age 3. She enjoys sewing when she can find a spare corner to set up her machine and dig out fabrics, cooking and baking – especially if the kiddos are helping, and enjoying a good book after the kiddos have gone to bed. She is thrilled to be welcoming a baby girl into the family in March of 2012. |
*I received the above books in order to facilitate an honest review. The opinions are my own and were in no way influenced by the sponsor. Others experiences may vary.