Arlo’s Book Club: Holiday Cheer Edition
December 7, 2017
It’s that time of year again! It’s time to dust off the old bins of holiday decorations and cheer, toys, knick-knacks and ornaments you swore never to put out again, but your kids just love them, and so there they hang. And at the very bottom of the box are the holiday books, which get more and more special and exciting every year, when they are pulled out and loved once again. For this edition of Arlo’s Book Club, we have some new and old selections to add to the bottom of that box of treasures. Enjoy!
William’s Winter Nap
by Linda Ashman, with pictures by Chuck Groenink
Disney-Hyperion, 2017
The 12 Days of Christmas
by Greg Pizzoli
Disney-Hyperion, 2017
You can already sing along with this one, as Greg Pizzoli’s new picture book, The 12 Days of Christmas, illustrates the treasured holiday song in a new and hilarious way. Elephant loves receiving the gifts, until they start piling up and taking over the holiday! Brilliant, modern illustrations and fun imagery that you can laugh along to with the kids.
Pick a Pine Tree
by Patricia Toht, with illustrations by Jarvis
Candlewick, 2017
You may recognize this one from the recent giveaway we did with Book Bloom, and we’re happy to add it to Arlo’s Book Club! This book celebrates the joy of picking the perfect Christmas tree to take home and decorate, and the warmth that it creates as families gather and enjoy. Sparkling illustrations and rhyming text add to the fun of tradition, ritual and celebration.
When Santa Was a Baby
by Linda Bailey, with illustrations by Genevieve Godbout
Tundra Books, 2015
This one reminds us a bit of a tall tale (think Paul Bunyan or John Henry). Baby Santa has a loud, booming voice, stands in front of the refrigerator to cool off, and is already giving his gifts away to all of the boys and girls in the neighborhood. His loving parents don’t know what to think but are proud all the same. The retro illustration and color scheme allow this one to fit right into your vintage collection.
The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker
Illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2017
The classic Nutcracker tale is told musically, in this interactive book with illustration by Jessica Courtney-Tickle. The magical twist: press a button and hear Tchaikovsky’s original suites that go along with the story. Read along with the story and listen to the songs that accompany the Nutcracker battle, the Sugar Plum Fairies andthe Land of Sweets!
White Snow, Bright Snow
by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin
“The policeman said it felt like snow, and his wife said her big toe hurt, and that always means snow.” Sweet, matter-of-fact prose coupled with Roger Duvoisin’s bold illustrations are cozy and bright in this Caldecott Medal award-winning picture book. Read along as a quiet town goes about their business in quiet awe of the falling snow. Duvoisin’s winterscapes in in soft blue with bright splashes of yellow and red give the story a magical touch.
