Cutie Sue and the Christmas Miracle: A Child: A Heartwarming Magical Children’s Book
Written by Kate Melton
Illustrated by Ira Baykovska
This book is part of a series of children’s books based on the Cutie Sue character.
In Book 4, Cutie Sue prepares her Christmas list for Santa and works hard with her family to get ready for Christmas. But Sue feels a bit down when she receives the material things on her list with the exception of one – snow.
Sue’s mom reminds her to be grateful and thinks about those who are less fortunate. Sue goes out into the neighborhood seeking the lonely, and needy. She learns the true meaning of Christmas and gets a surprise as well.
The illustrations are soft and lovely. Most of the rhymes flow well. I would recommend the book, especially for readers five through eight.
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A fun rhyming picture book that is sure to become a Christmas classic. A new Head Elf at the North Pole rules like a despot. He forbids the elves to play, sets up authoritarian rules like the reindeer must fly only in straight lines and no singing, talking, or laughing. A little elf named Eve decides she must find the Christmas spirit that is missing. Will Eve succeed in restoring the joy of the holiday season? How does Santa Claus react?
The book is written with four lines of verse on each page, accompanied by huge, expressive, and colorful illustrations. A perfect book for teachers and parents to share with their children as a read-aloud or bedtime story. Highly recommended for all ages to get into the true Christmas spirit.
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The Adventures of Pookie Presents: Mission Fat Hearts
Written and illustrated by Rebecca Yee
Playful pups Pookie and his new sibling Thor are sleeping comfortably in the living room. Kisa, a Christmas Elf, secretly leaves a note on their beds. It tells them to go to the Christmas tree. Kisa surprises them by jumping out. She urges them to go on a secret mission. Santa’s mission is for them to perform an act of kindness on each day of December until Christmas. Their reward will be to see smiles on those who receive their gifts. Pookie and Thor accept their secret mission with enthusiasm. Readers are urged to become co-conspirators and perform the same deeds.
This picture book spreads the true message of Christmas. Children are taught to give joy and happiness to others. Examples of deeds include giving hugs and giving thanks, donations, crafts, caroling, and visiting those who can’t leave home. The book could easily become a new tradition that families could share together. The secret mission might also be carried out by classrooms and community organizations. My only suggestion to improve the book would be to include illustrations with the tasks. The illustrations disappear as the pages of the book unfold. A bit more color would sustain more interest with the youngest readers.
The Christmas season may have passed for this year, but this book is also a good way to spread the message of love for Valentine’s Day.
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Christmas is nearly upon the castle. Princess Lily already possesses every material object she could want or need. When she decides to request a unicorn for a Christmas gift, the king and queen scour the kingdom to fulfill her request. Up to now, her demands have been met.
To their chagrin, the royal couple cannot fulfill her request. The king commissions the royal seamstress to make a unicorn costume. He places the costume on various animals to deceive the princess. She is not pleased. After many days pass, Lily realizes how hard her parents tried to please her. She hugs them and gives thanks to them for being wonderful parents.
The illustrations are vivid and expressive. They communicate the underlying message. My one criticism is that I would have liked to see her change in point of view explained more clearly in the text.
Parents of preschoolers and primary grade children who are exasperated with children who expect too much will love this holiday book. Suggested as a read-aloud or bedtime story.
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This Christmas themed story adds a nice touch to the Sophie Washington series of books. These chapter books are geared to middle-grade readers. The black and white line drawings enhance the tale and provide added incentives for beginning readers.
Sophie is now a sixth-grader at Xavier Academy. Her younger brother, Cole, is sometimes a thorn in her side, but she loves him dearly. Sophie steps in to protect him from a new neighbor who is bullying Cole. The main part of the plot involves a series of Christmas gifts that mysteriously appear on Sophie’s doorstep. The signature says from your Secret Santa. Sophie is puzzled. She and her girlfriends try to figure out the mystery. Then she learns that another boy in school is also receiving gifts. Sophie’s grandmother helps them to solve the mystery when a clue emerges. The giver is certainly not anyone they might have suspected.
This book is a beautiful story portraying the true Christmas spirit. Lots of wholesome family values, like supportive family relationships, bullying, and preteen angst are addressed. I highly recommend the book to lift holiday spirits. If you enjoy it, check out the entire Sophie Washington book series.
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Kara and her mom are shopping in a store on Christmas Eve. Kara is searching for one special Christmas gift as she and her mom prepare to celebrate the holiday. Kara finds a stuffed kitten that she really wants, but notices the disappointed look on a young boy looking on. She voluntarily hands him the kitten feeling the Christmas spirit. That same boy bumps into a woman and knocks her belongings to the floor. He helps her pick them up. As that woman waits in line at the store, she gives up her place in line to a father and impatient young son. The father and son step outside and notice an elderly lady who has fallen on the ice. They offer a ride to the clinic to get her medical care, and so the chain continues as each new character embraces and shares the Christmas spirit.
Illustrations are simple but lovely. The book aptly conveys the spirit of the holiday season. Perfect choice for beginning readers and a fun classroom or family read to share.
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Who is Santa: And how did he get to the North Pole?
Written by Stephan W. Bigalow
Illustrated by Bill Megenhardt
I received this book from the publisher and decided to voluntarily review giving my honest opinions.
An interesting book that tackles many of the legends associated with Santa Claus using a realistic, straightforward approach. This collection of short chapters containing two to five pages interspersed with full page color illustrations is intended to be an independent read for middle grade students or a read aloud broken up into sections for younger children.
Bigalow introduces Santa as a wealthy farmer living in the North Forest region. Santa enjoys crafting toys for a hobby. Mrs. Claus enjoys cooking; she understands her husband well and is adept at keeping him in tow, while at the same time providing advice and guidance. When their barns become overcrowded with toys, he decides to give his toys away. Not wanting others to feel obligated to repay him, Santa loads up his wagon on a dark winter night and the tradition of the Christmas Eve toy run springs forth. Word of his generosity explodes so Santa and Mrs. Claus set out for a larger more private location.
The following chapters will explore how they discover the Hidden Valley at the North Pole, strike up an improbable working relationship with the elf community, invent candy canes, build an enormous business enterprise, figure out how to use a sleigh and reindeer, and spread the true message of Christmas giving among themselves and others.
I used to read “The Night Before Christmas” each Christmas Eve to my children. This book could be shared as a family tradition during the weeks before Christmas, read together by older and younger siblings, or read independently by older children seeking to reignite the Christmas spirit in their hearts.
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![Children's Book "Cutie Sue and the Christmas Miracle": A Heartwarming and Magical Children's Book (Cutie Sue Series 4) by [Kate Melton]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61PW1lq8LTL.jpg)
December 19, 2021
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