Lit for Little Hands: A Christmas Carol (Volume 4) (Lit for Little Hands, 4)
by David Miles (Adaptor), Brooke Jorden (Adapter)
This board book tells the story of A Christmas Carol, simplified for little readers. It has interactive pull tabs and flaps to reveal the ghosts of Christmas! Some of the story is told with quotes from the original novel and includes original dialogue as well.
I love this delightful little book! The story is cleverly condensed without losing the Christmasy feeling of the original novel. We follow Scrooge as he journeys through Christmas past, present, and future with the spirits, and discovers the true meaning of Christmas.
The illustrations are so beautiful! I love the dark tones and the crisp lines that capture the moodiness of the story. But it is also attractive for children, and there are so many little details in the background of each scene to catch your attention. The colors also lighten toward the end as Scrooge changes his attitude. In the beginning, his environment is bleak, but as the story progresses, the scenery begins to match the joy he finds in Christmas.
This is such a great way to introduce classics to little readers!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
The Snow Princess Cookbook
by Barbara Beery
This cookbook has every recipe that a snow princess could need for a perfect meal, dessert, or high tea at the castle. There are frozen treats, pasta, pizza, cookies, tortillas, muffins, cakes, and beverages. There is even a section with crafts to make soap, necklaces, lotion, and bubble wands.
I love the beautiful photographs of all the food. First of all, it’s just nice to be able to see exactly what the finished recipe will look like, and also it makes my mouth water just to look at the pictures.
My nieces went crazy for this book! They kept looking at all the beautiful photographs and yelling out, “Oh, this looks yummy! Can we make this one? Ooooh, I like this one. This looks gooooooood!”
I really appreciate that each recipe has labels to say if it is vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free. There are even alternatives written in, so that you can substitute ingredients if you need to. Most of these recipes are easy enough for children to do with minimal help, but some of them do require adult supervision if children are not allowed to use the oven or stovetop.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Why Evergreens Keep Their Leaves
by Annemarie Riley Guertin (Goodreads Author), Helena Pérez García (Illustrator)
Little Redbird has injured her wing and won’t be able to fly south for the winter. She asks the trees if they will shelter her in their branches during the harsh winter. The maple tree is too busy making sap. The oak tree is worried that the bird will steal his acorns. Only the fir tree offers her shelter. Only the juniper and spruce offer berries and warmth from their leaves. And that is why the Frost Queen has blessed those three trees and named them evergreen.
I love the beautiful illustrations in this book! Every page is so gorgeous that I wish I could take out the pages and frame them for Christmas.
I love the sweet story about the Redbird in need of help, and the kindness and generosity that the trees show her. It reminds us to be generous and help those in need all year round. I love the old-fashioned fairytale style of the writing!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
The Gifts of the Animals
by Carole Gerber, Yumi Shimokawara (Illustrator)
The animals all gather to prepare a manger for the Baby Jesus to sleep. The cow brings hay to the manger. The sheep put tufts of their wool in the manger to make it soft. The birds make a pillow from their downy feathers. The Baby Jesus is born and lays quietly sleeping in the manger. Angels appear to the shepherds and they come to worship the Christ-child.
The text is told in lovely rhymes, and is full of the spirit of Christmas. I love the atmosphere of reverence and worship in this book. There is even an excerpt from Luke Chapter 2 included at the back of the book!
The illustrations are so pretty! Everything is bathed in golden light, and the animals look so peaceful. What a beautiful book!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Luminous Libro 