Recognize the name of the first author listed for this book? Sure enough, Julie Andrews, star of stage and film, is a children’s author. I confess, I didn’t know that until I picked up this book. Let’s take a peek at this amazing woman’s surprising talent. “Dumpy Saves Christmas” is the story of Dumpy, a dump truck. He lives on Merryhill Farm, where everyone is scrambling around to get ready for Christmas, which is the very next day. Pop-Up takes his grandson, Charlie, out to the shed so they can give Dumpy a can of anti-freeze to keep him going … Continue reading →

Christmas Eve has come to the north woods, and thick snow covers everything, making it sparkle in the moonlight. Bear Noel has his heavy pack over his shoulder as he makes his way through the snow, bringing gifts to all the animals in the woods. The wolf and the hare peep out of their dens, each of them eagerly awaiting Bear Noel’s arrival. “He is coming!” they both say, their ears perking at the sound of paws in the snow. The fox and the boar join them in their wait. Now they can hear the jingle of bells and merry … Continue reading →

I remember seeing a bookmobile once as a child. Many still exist in areas too small for a library, but for those of us who live in town, they’re a rare sight. “Hannah’s Bookmobile Christmas” takes us to a place where they were in common use. “Blue Bird” was the name of this particular bookmobile, and Mary loved it. She had been the mobile’s first driver/librarian, and she took her job very seriously. Now her eight-year-old niece Hannah is her helper, and it’s Christmas Eve. The snow is starting to fall, and Mary’s getting worried. If she can’t make her … Continue reading →

It’s wintertime in Jeanne-Marie’s small French village, and a light snow is falling. Jean-Marie talks to Patapon, her small sheep, and tells her how excited she is about Christmas. But Patapon has never heard about Christmas. Jeanne-Marie tells Patapon that Christmas, or Noel, as she calls it, is the day that celebrates the birth of the baby Jesus. And, if you’ve been very good, and you place your wooden shoes by the fireplace, Father Noel will come and fill them with presents. Patapon becomes very excited, but then sad. She has four shoes, but she can’t take them off. If … Continue reading →

Wombat from down under is here to share a sweet Christmas tale with us. It’s a week before Christmas and Wombat is so excited. He loves the lights and the presents, he loves the Christmas caroling – but best of all is the Nativity play. Wombat has been waiting to be old enough to be in the play, and this year, he finally is. He rushes off to the auditions, anxious to take part. When he gets there, he sees all of his animal friends gathered together. Emu is making a list of the actors and their parts. When she … Continue reading →

Tomorrow is Christmas and the children are excited, but Manja is worried. She doesn’t have anything special to serve her children for Christmas dinner. They have beans, but she wants to prepare a nice roast or something that will truly make the day a celebration. She asks Simon, her husband, to go hunting or fishing, anything that will add to the meal. They don’t have money to buy anything. Simon doesn’t think he’ll be able to find anything on such a cold and snowy day, and he’s right. After wandering around for hours, he still has no meat. He doesn’t … Continue reading →

This small children’s picture book captures some of the magic of that first Christmas night. A new star appeared in the sky, waking up all the sleeping creatures. Bear was first to wake up. The star shone down, glistening on his black fur and touching him, singing, “Bethlehem!” He yawned and stretched, wondering what it all meant. Next was Badger. The light from the star shone down his tunnel and lit up his home, guiding him up to the surface, all the while singing, “Bethlehem!” Skunk and Raccoon, living near each other in similar burrows, were awakened when the light … Continue reading →