Secret Santa by Fernleigh Books
Ages 4-8
Sterling; Pop edition (October 6, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Letters to Santa fill the pages of this paper-engineered pop-up book. Santa responds to each letter with some surprising answers, always followed by a p.s. about the fact that Santa just revealed a secret and the reader should tell no one. This book is fun and festive and a great gift for kids 3-8.

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The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman
Ages 4-8
Feiwel & Friends (September 29, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Nancy Tillman has created a lovely story with gorgeous illustrations about the importance of being with ones we love at Christmas. The verse rhymes and chimes about all of the trappings of the season, but takes us to the story’s message swiftly, yet gently; that the season is just not quite right when a loved one isn’t there.

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Mo Smells the Holidays: A Scentsational Journey by Margaret Hyde
Amanda Giacomini (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8
Mo’s Nose, LLC (August 15, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
If you’re going to create a scratch n’ sniff reading experience for children, we can think of no better scratchers or sniffers than dogs. Mo is a rescue dog who takes his readers on a journey of the senses, particularly scents. The author wisely lets the reader place scented stickers throughout the book as they choose, rather than overwhelming us with pages of spicy pumpkin or sweet candy scents. We are particularly excited that she opted out of ‘wet dog,’ ’something dog rolled in,’ and ‘other unidentified dog scents.’

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A Family Christmas CD by Putumayo Presents
Release Date: October 27, 2009
Putumayo World Music
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
This wonderful collection of holiday songs will have everybody in a great mood. Unlike many other Putumayo creations, 10 out of 11 songs are sung in English with covers of traditional non-secular tunes such as Holly Jolly Christmas and Frosty the Snowman.

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On This Special Night by Claire Freedman
Illustrated by Simon Mendez
Ages 4-8
Scholastic Press (September 1, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
This holiday season is going to be one of the best years for children’s picture books. Every title that has crossed my path has been gloriously illustrated and beautifully written, whether it be on Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas or the glory of winter. This book is an incredible feast for the eyes with the impeccable artistic talent of Simon Mendez capturing the very essence (and scents) of the animals preparing for the birth of Jesus. And, Claire Freedman weaves this timeless story from the perspective of the barn animals, starting with a mother cat and her kitten, and bringing in a donkey, calf, mice and others to share the excitement. Absolutely beautiful.

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The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson
Jon J Muth (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8
Scholastic Press (September 1, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I have to reveal a little bit of bias here. No, I am not receiving payment from any publisher. Here’s my big naughty secret: I will buy any book that Jon J. Muth illustrates. Buying a book that Muth has illustrated is like buying your own little art museum. His watercolors and pastels make the lovely, inspirational words of Lauren Thompson simply dance and frolic across the pages. This simple take on Santa’s preparation for the big reveal will have even skeptics wiping a little tear from the corner of their eyes, glazing skyward and hearing the tinkle of little bells. This one is a keeper and is my new BFF (book friend forever).

PS - if you look carefully, you can see Muth’s panda from Zen Shorts on one of the pages.

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Let There Be Peace on Earth: And Let It Begin with Me by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller
Tricycle Press - September 2009
All ages
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
It’s hard to believe that this lovely song about peace all started at a high school retreat in 1955 and has since spread throughout the world as an anthem for peace, love and understanding. Brilliantly and beautifully illustrated, this is a perfect introduction to the concept of peace for young children or a reminder to ourselves how important peace is. This book comes with a 12-song CD with the title’s classic song.

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Book & CD)
by Liz Murphy
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Publisher: Blue Apple Books; Rei/Com edition (September 30, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
This is a sweet little holiday gift book/CD which keeps giving; proceeds are donated to Broadway Barks which helps shelter animals become adopted. The text of the book is the title song, and a cute little dog prepares for the holidays (no yellow snow here!).

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My Little Polar Bear by Claudia Rueda
Ages 4-8
Scholastic Press - October 1, 2009
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Mama polar bear shows baby the finer points of polar bear prowess such as keeping warm in icy temperatures and walking on ice. Baby polar knows he belongs and knows his mama loves him. The illustrations are simple and lovely, with speckles of glitter to delight the reader.
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God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Candlewick Press, 2008

Recommended readers:  ages 3-6

Cautions:  all clear

Kiwi Magazine Review

What does God dream about?  God dreams about people sharing, people caring and reaching out to hold one another’s hands.  This book isn’t specific to one holiday or one religion, but it would make a lovely gift to young and old to remind us all that everyone is equal, everyone is special and we should savor the time we spend with our brothers and sisters, discovering the similarities and enjoying the differences. LeUyen Pham’s childlike illustrations perfectly accompany the text.

Publisher’s Description:

With warmth and humor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu distills his philosophy of unity and forgiveness into a picture book for the very young.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has a vision of God’s dream, which he shares here with the youngest of listeners. It involves people who reach out and hold each other’s hands, but sometimes get angry and hurt each other — and say they’re sorry and forgive. It’s a wish that everyone will see they are brothers and sisters, no matter their way of speaking to God, no matter the size of their nose or the shade of their skin. Aided by vibrant artwork evoking such images as a rainbow and a sharing circle, Tutu offers the essence of his ubuntu philosophy, a wisdom so clear and crystalline that even the smallest child can understand.

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