The countdown to Christmas is on and parents the world over are feeling the heat.
With Santa coming to town in just a few days, St. Nick’s mom and dad helpers are scurrying to prepare for his arrival. Around here that means stocking up on stocking stuffers.
One seasonal surprise my 8-year-old will be waking up to on December 25th is a delightful book filled with festive poems.
It’s Christmas is a collection of whimsical prose that are silly, sweet and perfect for the season.
Author Jack Prelutsky does a phenomenal job of making merry with his hilarious takes on holiday traditions, including sneaking a smooch from mom under the mistletoe and singing Christmas carols around the neighborhood.
Kids of all ages will be giggling the night away after reading “Our Christmas Tree.” The playful poem follows dad as he hunts for the freshest Christmas tree in the forest. The search ends with side-splitting silliness when a fir falls on Pops and he reasons that next year he’ll just buy one from a lot.
The hilarity continues with a poem simply titled “Auntie Flo.” She’s the relative who’s sent unmentionables three years in a row. Your children can likely relate. While they would much prefer a cuddly bear, there’s a chance the cheerfully wrapped box under the tree is filled with underwear.
Then, there’s my daughter’s favorite. “Dear Santa Claus” is a laugh-out-loud rhyme that captures the essence of childhood Christmas wishes:
Dear Santa Claus,
I’d like a stack of comic books,
a dozen apple pies,
a box of chocolate brownies,
and an elephant that flies,
a porpoise for the bathtub
and a dragon for my room,
a robot that does homework
and can also use a broom.
And I’d like a hippopotamus,
a trumpet and a drum,
I could use a half a dollar
and a million sticks of gum.
The book also includes amazingly detailed illustrations by Marylin Hafner, which make young readers feel as though they’ve been planted in the middle of an animated made-for-TV Christmas special. The colorful images exude all the warmth and comfort you need on a cold winter’s night.
Whether you are looking for an affordable last-minute stocking stuffer or you need a new seasonal bedtime read, It’s Christmas is a festive find that won’t disappoint. The I Can Read book is designed so kids can enjoy the simple sentences on their own or share the silly selections with others. My friend is planning to read It’s Christmas in front of the fireplace at a family gathering on December 24th as she and her clan wait for Santa to fly in from the North Pole. Hopefully, he’ll deliver better gifts than Auntie Flo.
You can get your own copy of It’s Christmas on HarperCollins’ website or pick one up at discount retailers nationwide.