Holiday kids' books: Reindeer and monsters, oh my!
These charming holiday picture books – some playful, some traditional – will delight the young reader on your gift list for seasons to come.
UNCLES AND ANTLERS
By Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Brian Floca (Atheneum, ages 4-8, $17.99)
The story: Seven wacky uncles (Uncle Duce from Cameroon is an Elvis impersonator!) blow into town to bestow gifts on their favorite niece.
What kids will like: Discovering why these antlered uncles have somewhere very important to be on Christmas Eve.
THE CHRISTMAS SHOW
by Rebecca Patterson (Simon & Schuster, ages 4-8, $14.99)
The story: One little shepherd seems to have two left feet during his school Nativity play, until a special audience member deems him the biggest star of all.
What kids will like: Will help calm any youthful showbiz jitters. ("Granny" will like this one, too.)
MONSTER NEEDS A CHRISTMAS TREE
by Paul Czajak, illustrated by Wendy Grieb (Scarletta, up to age 6, $16.95)
The story: The friendly Monster in the house has two things on his Christmas wish list: a tree, and a puppy.
What kids will like: Every little boy will want this Monster under his bed (or tree!).
'TWAS NOCHEBUENA: A CHRISTMAS STORY IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by Sara Palacios (Penguin, ages 3-5, $16.99)
The story: A Latino family celebrates the holiday with tamales and regalos (gifts).
What kids will like: Feel-good tale finds common ground among us. (The food looks delish, too.)
SIMON AND THE BEAR: A HANUKKAH TALE by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Matthew Trueman (Disney-Hyperion, ages 3-5, $16.99)
The story: An immigrant boy who survives a Titanic-like disaster – and is left with only the latkes and menorah his mother gave him – is rescued by a polar bear.
What kids will like: Shipwreck scenes might scare tots, but older children will enjoy the adventure and happy ending.
THE LAST CHRISTMAS TREE by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Pascal Campion (Dial, ages 3-5, $16.99)
The story: You'll never guess who comes to the rescue when one scraggly little tree is left on a snowy lot. Ho ho ho!
What kids will like: No tree is left behind!
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER by Robert L. May, illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo (Little Simon, ages 4-6, $17.99)
The story: 75th-anniversary edition of the tale that inspired the classic song.
What kids will like: Caparo's new but nostalgic illustrations – you could even say they glow.