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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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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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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Snow Party Written by Harriet Ziefert,  Illustrated by Mark Jones

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Santa Claws: A Scary Christmas to All written by Laura Leach Illustrated by Gris Grimly

By Laura Leuck, Illustrated by Gris Grimly
Recommended for ages 4-8
Chronicle Books, Published in September, 2006

Cautions: kinda gross

Description

Santa Claws — Mack and Zack are getting ready for Christmas—hanging up their smelly socks and blistertoe, decorating their dead pine tree, making poisonberry pies.

Here in the rollicking rhyme of Laura Leuck and the gruesomely silly illustrations of Gris Grimly, is a truly memorable Christmas tale. Mack and Zack may be monsters, but their excitement is the same as that of children the world around. Come join the celebrations in Monster Town!

Kiwi Magazine Review

If all of that holiday sweetness gives you cavities, this is the book for you.  This book, too, is a take-off of Twas the Night Before Christmas, but I bet you never heard the lines “Snoring in their stinky beds boogerplum danced in their heads” or “They help to make poisonberry pies, crusty cookies topped with flies.”  Deliciously and decidedly disgusting.

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Dinosaurs’ Night before Christmas by Anne Muecke, Clement C. Moore, N

athan Hale (Illustrator)

Publisher: Chronicle Books, October 2008

Age Range: 4 to 8

Cautions: none

Description:

The Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas — The dinosaur fossils in the museum come to life (and sing, dance, and eat gingerbread) in this rollicking twist on the classic poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. And with the enclosed CD, children of all ages can enjoy dinosaur-themed Christmas party music, and hear the story read aloud by the Today Show’s Al Roker! A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book goes to support the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where the story is set.

Kiwi Magazine Review:

You guessed it - it’s the prehistoric version of the classic Night Before Christmas.  The American Museum of Natural History experiences a festive transformation when the dinosaur skeletons start to shake their dino tails to celebrate the holiday. And, who else would be the guest of honor except Santosaur.

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The Everything Kids’ Christmas Puzzle & Activity Book Hours of holiday fun!

By Beth L. Blair and Jennifer A. Ericsson

• Wreaths
• Christmas trees
• Gifts
• Christmas traditions
• Santa and the North Pole

The Everything® Kids’ Christmas Puzzle & Activity Book will keep the holidays exciting straight into the New Year!