A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly - ADVISABLE

A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly, 176 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $18.

Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Eight years after Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol, his wife Catherine, or Kate, is struggling to feel up to celebrating Christmas. One of her children died earlier that year, and all the commercialization of a holiday meant to mean so much more and meant to be about Christ has left Kate forcing a smile at the Christmas party she and Charles are hosting. But then she has three marvelous experiences that breathe joy back into the celebrations.

This historical fiction story mirrors some of the elements of A Christmas Carol, and it is a lovely reimagining in a realistic setting. I was a tad disappointed about the lack of fantastical elements because I wanted to see what Connolly would do for a representation of the ghost of Christmas future, but Kate’s experiences were focused on past and present. Kate’s story is about the true meaning of Christmas, choosing to start the journey to change, and the goodness that can be found all around us.

Catherine is Scottish, and the rest of the characters are implied English. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

A World Full of Christmas Crafts by Helen Mortimer and Joy LaForme - ADVISABLE

A World Full of Christmas Crafts by Helen Mortimer, illustrated by Joy LaForme, 63 pages. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2024.  $19. 9780711293519

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Travel to every inhabitable continent and collect recipes, crafts, stories, and traditions to supplement or build your own Christmas celebration. The author has chosen simple ideas - nothing Martha Stewart-complicated here, so no one will feel intimidated. More a book for home consumption, as I hope most teachers don’t only concentrate on Christmas in December.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Give Me Something Good to Eat by D. W. Gillespie - ADVISABLE

Give Me Something Good to Eat by D. W. Gillespie, 259 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2024. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kidnappings) ; Violence: PG (many dastardly creatures and some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

7th grader Mason knows there is something wrong with his town, Pearl - ever since his best friend, Marco, went missing on Halloween.  Mason remembers Marco, but no one else, not even Marco’s parents does. This Halloween Mason is determined to figure out what is going on, but his parents have saddled him with taking his younger sister Meg out with him.  Mason is mad that Meg is cramping his style until the moment he realizes that Meg is this year’s victim - how could he be so careless! Mason is determined to rescue Meg and find out the truth about the yearly Halloween-related disappearances, even if he has to find his way into the flip side of Pearl - an underworld ruled by an evil witch who uses the disappeared in a dastardly scheme.

Gillespie’s story is the right amount of dark and disturbing, with hope and sibling determination combined. What the witch does with the souls of the disappeared is downright creepy, but is nicely set off with Mason and his friends' heroics.  I prefer my horror with a positive ending.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel and Trina Schart Hyman - ADVISABLE

 

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel and Trina Schart Hyman. PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2022 (reprint, gift edition with a poster and 25th anniversary afterword). $25. 9780823452552

Content: PG (goblins, scares, gambling)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Hershel of Ostropol came into town on the first night of Hanukkah tired and hungry. But when he arrived, the village was silent and dark. Not a single Hanukkah candle could be seen. The villagers explained that they cannot have Hanukkah because of the Goblins haunting the synagogue at the top of the hill. Hershel decides to help the village. They tell him that he must spend eight nights in the old synagogue. The Hanukkah candles must be lit one by one each night. On the eighth night, the king of the goblins must light them himself to break their power. Hershel goes up to the synagogue and each night tricks each goblin and lights the candles. On the final night, will Hershel be able to trick the King of the goblins into lighting the candles himself?

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is delightful and clever. I enjoyed finding out how Hershel tricked each scary goblin. Hyman’s illustrations were magical and masterful.

PGPowers 

The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza - ADVISABLE

The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza, illustrated by Julia Iredale. 56 pages. PICTURE BOOK Penguin Random House, 2021. $19. 9780593350805 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Kristtorn is the twin sister of Kristoffer. They each possess magical gifts. Kristtorn can talk to animals while Kristoffer can disappear and reappear at will. One day, while playing in the woods a Danish couple named Kringle happens along and find Kristoffer - he is so distracted by the yummy food they offer, he leaves with them forgetting his sister was hiding in the woods. Eventually a witch, gathering mushrooms in the woods finds Kristtorn, and brings her home. But times are not good for witches, and Kristtorn's gifts soon put her at risk, so the witch sends her off to find her brother. Always impatient, Kristtorn doesn't follow instructions and ends up as far away from Kristoffer as she can be - -  The South Pole. 

I first listened to the story in audiobook (provided by libro.fm) and fell in love with the story. Well paced, unusual and perfectly narrated by author Aubrey Plaza. Picked up a copy and WOW! So beautifully illustrated. Coffee table book - it will add to your Christmas decorations as well. The size looks like a picture book, but the length of the story would make it more appropriate for an older reader. Buying for my library for sure, but giving as a gift to several friends this Christmas.

Lisa Librarian

Where Snow Angels Go by Maggie O'Farrell and Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini - ADVISABLE

Where Snow Angels Go by Maggie O'Farrell, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini 68 pages. Candlewick Press, 2020. $19. 9781536219371 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

One night, Sylvie wakes up and finds an angel in her room - an angel who is astonished that she can see him. The snow angel she made last winter has come to save her life. If things work out as usual she will forget by morning, but even after a long illness (he did save her life that night) she can't stop thinking about this amazing visitor and wants him to return. And what about her mother and her friends who have never made snow angels? Who is going to protect them? 

Beautifully illustrated from the swirly shiny bits on the cover throughout the story, this lovely tale is a perfect bedtime read, or a great seasonal choice. I loved the story idea, that children make guardians when they make snow angels. O'Farrell's first children's story is a great read that I would recommend through middle school. Not a quick picture book, there's plenty of story contained within these lovely illustrated pages.

Lisa Librarian

Once Upon an Eid edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed - ESSENTIAL

Once Upon an Eid : Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed, 257 pages. Abrams/Amulet, 2020. $18.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

15 Muslim authors have contributed to this anthology celebrating Eid, a celebration for Muslims. Authors include the editors as well as Hena Khan, Randa Abdel-Fattah, Candice Montgomery, and even includes a graphic story by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Sara Alfageeh. The stories tell about the food - brownies and donuts and even special cookies made for the children when there was literally nothing else, delicious traditional meals prepared with love, the beautiful clothes - purchased, or found in a thrift store, the family time - spent with extended family or maybe just a few because circumstances change. Blessings from giving, connecting with family, and making the best of things when times are tough.

I want to thank the authors and editors for such a brilliant anthology - I felt honored to have been given a glimpse through this window into your celebrations. Written for the Muslim readers, "Once upon a Eid" is about nostalgia, memories made at Eid, sharing a common experience and celebrating. A brief description is part of the editor's introduction, but I am glad that no other concessions were made for me - it was fine that I didn't understand all the greetings, foods and other cultural references. I was just so happy to be there. I hope this can be included in every school library, it is a wonderful collection.

Lisa Librarian

The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig - ADVISABLE

The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig, 311 pages. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2016 $16.99

Language: G (silly elf swearing) Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (ala "Home Alone" people slipping on butter, getting hit with frying pans, Troll danger) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Amelia Wishart was so full of hope that first year Father Christmas delivered presents she was really all the magic he needed. But now, two years later, her mother has died and she is in a workhouse laboring for the cruel Mr. Creepers. Back at the North pole:Father Christmas missed Christmas altogether last year because of a vicious Troll attack, and this year there is barely enough hope to lift the sleigh off the ground - he's got a letter in his pocket from Amelia and needs to find her - maybe her hope can work it's magic again! 

Haig has written a much more serious Christmas Story in the Girl who Stole Christmas. Still silly with Blitzen up to his old toilet humor, but a story about a world that needs to find hope must be fraught with sadness and doubt and tears. I enjoyed it, very Dickensian. 

Lisa Librarian

Bah! Humbug! by Michael Rosen - OPTIONAL

Bah! Humbug! : A magical retelling of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Tony Ross, 192 pages. Walker Books Candlewick Press, 2017 $15.99.

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Harry is starring in his middle school production of A Christmas Carol. He is well prepared and excited, but his dad, Ray, has his mind on work - all the time. So when Ray schedules a meeting during the production, he leaves the show to talk with "Mumbai", and starts his own private version of A Christmas Carol, seeing himself for what he has become - not the father he set out to be.

Dickens's A Christmas Carol script is interspersed with this family story to give the reader perspective, however, the pages of dialogue from the play were a bit tedious. Is there an expectation that the reader already knows A Christmas Carol? I wish Ray had been a child or teenager. I'm not sure kids will connect to the adult and shifting back and forth from script to narrative may prove daunting. I wish Ray had been a child or teenager. I'm not sure kids will connect to the adult and shifting back and forth from script to narrative may prove daunting.

Lisa Librarian

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas by Russell Hoban - ESSENTIAL

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random House), 2017.  $15.  9781524714574

BUYING ADVISORY: EL—ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Emmett Otter and his mother live in Frogtown Hollow where they scrape out a meager existence washing clothes and doing the occasional odd job. Christmas is just around the corner and both Emmett and his mother have the idea to get each other a special Christmas surprise.  With money being scarce, they both set out to enter a local talent show, each with the hope of winning the grand prize for the other.  

This is a classic story from the creators of the Frances the Badger books.  It touches on the struggles of poverty and the determination to stick together no matter the challenges.  This is an excellent story that beautifully illustrates the spirit of Christmas and the love of family. 

Gina, Media Specialist 

The Widow's Broom by Chris Van Allsburg - ESSENTIAL

The Widow’s Broom (25^th Anniversary Edition) by Chris Van Allsburg.  PICTURE BOOK Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1992.  $19.  9781328470195  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

One night a witch’s broom loses it’s full powers, and the witch falls out of the sky and lands in Widow Shaw’s garden.  Widow Shaw gives the witch a place to stay for the night, and in the morning the witch leaves on the back of another witch’s broom, leaving her broom behind.  Soon the broom is working around Widow Shaw’s home and doing basic chores or anything else Widow Shaw teaches it how to do (including chopping wood and playing the piano).  The magical broom soon draws the attention of the neighbors who want to burn it, so Widow Shaw tricks the neighbors and protects her new broom friend.  

Chris Van Allsburg has fantastic black and white illustrations.  I love that this book has a Neil Gaiman feel for young readers, making magic seem like it could crop up in reality at any time.  I think this book is creative and fun and can be read anytime but would be a fun Halloween read.  

C. Peterson.

Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins - OPTIONAL

Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $18. 9781534413627

BUYING ADVISORY; Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

At the local grocery store there is a stand of pumpkins and they are each excited that it is Halloween and time be chosen and made into a jack o’lantern. Each pumpkin gets picked except for one who realizes that instead of a stem he has stump. He never is chosen but the owner himself turns him into a jack o’lantern and he remains at the store happily. 

There is not much to recommend this book. The story is overly simple as are the illustrations and characters.  Nothing gets developed, from the characters to the message. The best part of the book is the thick textured cover that feels deluxe.

Reviewer: Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Dia del los Muertos by Hannah Eliot - ADVISABLE

Dia del los Muertos by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Jorge Gutierrez. BOARD BOOK. Little Simon (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $9. 9781534415157

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This brightly illustrated book explains is detail the parts of, and reasons behind, Dia de los Muertos. Naming many things by their Spanish word, but otherwise all in English, this book covers the food, flowers, and decorations used. This book also discusses the motivation to honor ancestors through this holiday. 

I know that many early elementary kids might balk at being read a board book, but there is so much information in this book that it would be an appropriate read for kids past the board book stage. I think this book is an easy addition to any unit about traditions and cultures, or also to be read at the time of year Dia de los Muertos is celebrated. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Bone Soup: A Spooky, Tasty Tale by Alyssa Satin Capucilli - OPTIONAL

Bone Soup: A Spooky, Tasty Tale by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Tom Knight. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018. $18. 9781481486088

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Much like the folktale Stone Soup (as explained in the note from the author) this is the story of starting with nothing but hunger and creating a soup from the contribution of others. In this case, the others are zombies and ghosts and such and their contributions include eyeballs and dried dragon wings. 

I think the point of this story is lost unless the reader already knows the story of Stone Soup. With this background information, this would be a fun Halloween book. It could be used as a Halloween party activity in which everyone contributes something to a class scary story, for example.

Jen W, Teacher

Holly Jolly Summer by Tiffany Stewart - OPTIONAL

Holly Jolly Summer by Tiffany Stewart, 266 pages. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2018. $18. 9780374305758

Language: PG (10 swears, 0 "F"); Mature content: PG; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MS - HIGH; HS - MEDIUM

Darby Peacher is the "First Daughter" of Christmas, Kentucky, a southern tourist town that celebrates the holidays all summer long. After an embarrassing disaster at the town's holiday kickoff event, Darby finds herself working at the town's rundown amusement park, Holly Jolly Land. During a tough summer with family trouble, boy trouble and friend trouble (i.e. teenage life), Darby will learn a lot about herself, what she's capable of, and maybe even save Christmas in the process.

This is an insanely predictable teenage romance novel that I hate to admit teenage girls will probably love. I would have loved it at 13--guaranteed. I can only imagine the author is pitching this as yet another Hallmark Christmas film because it reads just like one (only in summer!). To that end, it is entertaining and there is nothing to fault it for except its overall predictability.

Reviewer: TC

The Christmas Wind by Stephanie Simpson McLellan - OPTIONAL

The Christmas Wind by Stephanie Simpson McLellan, illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan.  Red Deer Press (Fitzhenry), 2018.  $20.  9780889955349

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

On Christmas Eve, Jo, her mother, and her little brother are on the way to anywhere else.  The bitter wind pushes them to a barn owned by a bitter, lonely farmer.  Maybe they can hide in there for the night.  But when Jo settles the baby and goes for her mother, the baby has disappeared!  IS there room for all of them in the farmhouse? Is there kindness in the farmer’s heart?

One of my favorite Christmas books is The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.  It felt like this book wanted to be that book, but it just doesn’t make it.  There is room in a picture book for just bit more to cement the story – it just doesn’t quite get there.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

The Nutcracker Mice by Kristin Kladstrup - ESSENTIAL

Kladstrup, Kristin The Nutcracker Mice 316 pages. Candlewick Press, $17.99, Language: G(0 swears, 0 “F”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

Esmerelda is a mouse who lives beneath the stage of the Saint Petersburg theater. She loves to dance ballet and is excited when she is casted to play the part of Clara in the nutcracker. Things take a wrong turn when Esmerelda finds out the mice are the villains in this ballet. As her debut performance, this dancing mouse want to make a good impression, but will this dance be her last?

This book was fun to read. It showed a part of ballet that is not what you normally see. The characters were rich and full of flavor.

 EL - ESSENTIAL Student Reviewer: JM(9th grade)

Festival of Colors by Kabir and Surishtha Sehgal - OPTIONAL

Sehgal, Kabir and Surishtha Sehgal Festival of Colors Illustrated by Vashti Harrison PICTURE BOOK Beach Lane Books, 2018.  $18. Content: G.  

Chintoo and Mintoo are gathering a bunch of different flowers-hibiscus, orchids, marigolds, and irises.  They dry the petals and then crush them into fine powders full of bright colors.  Then they go with their families, friends and neighbors to the Holi festival and throw the powders on each other in a symbol of friendship and new beginnings.  

The illustrations in this book are fabulous and bright.  The text is simple and focuses mostly on the making of the colorful powders used at the festival.  There is an author's note at the end that explains the Holi festival.  This book is great, but it needs to explain the holiday more throughout the text for kids to get a better understanding.  My kids learn about this holiday at their school, so it’s a great addition for their classroom, but unless you celebrate the Holi festival, I’m not sure if kids will understand it without further instruction from a teacher.

EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Zip! Zoom! On a Broom! by Teri Sloat - OPTIONAL

Sloat, Teri Zip! Zoom! On a Broom Illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet PICTURE BOOK Little Brown and Company, 2017. $17. Content: G. 

This is a witch counting book.  A witch joins other witches until there are ten on a broom.  They have trouble with that many witches on a broomstick and they fall off one by one until there is one witch left on the broom.  She glides across the moon.  

This is fun to read aloud because of the poem and the predictable counting.  The illustrations aren’t great and some pages the illustrations are too dark.  There are better Halloween books out there.  

EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Let it Glow: A Winter’s Walk by Owen Gildersleeve - OPTIONAL

Gildersleeve, Owen Let it Glow: A Winter’s Walk.  Wide Eyed Editions (Quarto), 2017.  $25.  9781786030306

A young man is headed home after buying a Christmas gift.  As he follows the path he sees winter scenes, until he arrives home.

The cut paper illustration are the star of this holiday charmer.  For the most part the rhyme is a simple 8-beat pattern, except in one weird spot where the lines are only seven awkward syllables.  While the cover says twinkling lights, the lights seem to glow, but never twinkle.  Verdict – mixed.

Pre-K, GIFT – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher