"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson

Christmas is not complete without revisiting Barbara Robinson's hilarious The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The Christmas Pageant takes place every year, generally with the same kids cast in the same roles. But when  the Herdmans show up and gladly take all of the lead roles, you know that this is going to be one pageant no one ever forgets. The Herdman kids are the ones you do your best to avoid. Teachers pass them to the next grade just so that they don't have two of them in their classroom at the same time. They are always up to no good so no one can imagine why in the world they would want to take part in a Christmas ceremony. But as the reader, you will be so glad that they do.

This book is funny and easy to imagine. Reading it again as an adult, I can feel the pain the adults in the story must be going through but can do so with a smile on my face. You won't believe some of the crazy ideas the Herdman's come up with, and you will want to read this book again and again!

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy" by Jane Thayer Illustrated by Lisa McCue

Oh this book is so sweet! Petey the puppy just wants a boy for Christmas, but can't seem to find one. His mom tries to find him one, but doesn't succeed, so he sets out on his own. He asks several dogs if he can have their boy, but none of the dogs he encounters wants to give up their boy. When it seems like there is just no hope, Petey finds some that needs Petey just as much as Petey needs them.

Something I like about The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy is that while it is a Christmas book, it's focus isn't on the holiday, but instead on Petey's search. Jane Thayer has written a brilliant book is all about love and finding those that make you happy. It also has a great feel-good ending. It's one of those books that really needs to be part of every child's book collection, or at least one that gets checked out from the library often. If you haven't read it yet, you really should!

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Arthur's Christmas" by Marc Brown

I really didn't read many Arthur books as a kid. I have no idea why, as I spent a good chunk of my childhood obsessed with the television show. As an adult, I spend way too much of time reading (and re-reading) children's book so when I came across a copy of Arthur's Christmas I decided I should give it a read.

It's almost Christmas and Arthur is in a panic about what to get Santa Claus. Unlike her brother, D.W. is completely calm and just keeps adding item after item to her Christmas wish list. After much thought and a couple of run-ins with the man in red, Arthur decides that he will cook up some of Santa's favorite foods, at the same time, in one dish. Thankfully he has a little sister that has enough common sense to help him out.

I'm pretty sure I didn't read this one as a kid. The thing that stuck out to me was that the dog was named "Killer" and not "Pal." I found this hilarious as that name seems very out of place (again, I have not read most of these books. Does Killer end up getting renamed Pal, or are they two different dogs? And if they are the same dog, are there updated books? Just curious, I am weird like that). Something else that caught my attention was that each time Arthur runs into Santa, it is clearly a different Santa. I thought this was a nice bit of humor for the adults reading to their kids and can also help with the conversation about "Santa's Helpers." Of course, kids that are fans of the Arthur books will enjoy this one and it's also a great book to have in any Christmas collection.

The Best Episode!

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Pete the Cat Saves Christmas" by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean

Oh how I loved Pete the Cat Saves Christmas!  Eric Litwin and illustrator James Dean have another hit on their hands!  When Santa is too sick to deliver the Christmas presents, who will he call for help?  Well, Pete the Cat of course.  Pete jumps into his groovy bus and saves the day!

I just can't get enough of these books.  I love how each book comes with a song and gets kids excited about reading.  It's not unusual for the Four Groovy Buttons song to be playing in my head- and that's just awesome!  It's great when kids get excited about a book character and I have seen more kids almost burst with joy when they come across a new Pete book.  I am so glad that the series is getting some holiday tales, and can't wait to see what adventure Pete encounters next!

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Home for the Holidays" by Heather Vogel Frederick

First off, I don't get the title of this book. Megan and Becca go on a cruise, Emma and Jess go to a winter resort and Cassidy goes to California.While Christmas isn't the only holiday covered in this book, it is the biggest one and so I found it interesting that Home for the Holidays mainly focuses on plots that do not take place at home. But aside from that, I liked this book. The Mother-Daughter Book Club is currently reading the Betsy-Tacy books though some of the girls aren't as excited for this series as the others. Each girl has a lot going on in their lives and it seems like life might be getting in the way of their friendships. On top of that, when the girls exchange Secret Santa gifts no one gets gifts they would actually wants and this puts further strain on their friendships. Could this be the end of the club?

In some ways, I didn't enjoy this book as much as the earlier ones in the series. I don't know if it was because it has been awhile since I have visited this literary universe so some of the previous plots were fuzzy (this is common with my reading experiences) or if the story just wasn't quite as good (I plan on reading Wish You Were Eyre soon, so that will likely answer this for me). I think part of it came from getting so frustrated with the girls because of how they were acting. I didn't feel that they were being good friends and all of them seemed a little too self-absorbed. I did enjoy getting to go on their various holiday adventures and it is very interesting to see how the girls have grown up. And having read this book, I am interested in finally giving the Betsy-Tacy books a read (I am so behind with all of the books I want to read). Fans of the series will definitely want to add this to their collection.

*Special thanks to Catharine A. Ward for sending me this book as part of the Bookies Secret Santa last year!*

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Christmas in Wellsworth" by Rev. W. Awdry

It's Christmas on the island of Soder and Thomas the Tank Engine has a very important job; he is picking up Sir Topham Hatt's wife and grandchildren and delivering them to the Christmas celebration. But there's one problem, the weather is bad and Thomas doesn't think he can get Sir Topham Hatt's family delivered on time while being safe at the same time. Will he ruin everyone's holiday?

I've yet to find a Thomas book I didn't like, including Christmas in Wellsworth. Thomas is such a kind and caring character and is a great role model for kids. This book features many of the favorite characters, but the primary focus is on Thomas. This book is perfect for any Thomas fan (young or old).

 

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"The Holly Joliday" by Megan McDonald, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

My first Judy Moody book! Normally I don't let myself read a book in a series without reading the first book first. But I've learned that with a lot of books aimed at kids that the plots are usually set up so that they don't depend on the books that came before it (usually, not always), so I took a chance and read this book. And guess what? You can read this book without reading the others. I am going to assume this means that other books in Judy Moody and Stink universe can stand alone too, but I can't say that with certainty, having only read the first book in the Stink series. Anyways, to the book!

In The Holly Joliday, Judy and her brother Stink are excited for Christmas. One day, Stink meets the new mailman named Jack Frost. This is quite the coincidence as all Stink wants for Christmas is snow. Poor Judy feels bad for her brother as there is no way anyone can make his Christmas wish come true. But Stink pays her no mind and is completely obsessed with the idea of snow, so much so that this book invloves him dressing up as a snowflake. This book involves other Christmas goodies such as Judy's toilet paper wish list, a Hawaiian Twelve Days of Christmas and a very special surprise at the end of the book.

This book was a lot of fun. I liked that is was a crossover book so fans of Judy and fans of Stink can both enjoy this book. I think it's a great read for kids that are anxious for Christmas and a must have for any Megan McDonald fans.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Elmer, the Christmas Elf" by Eileen Telford

It's a shame I didn't care for this story.  I thought that it had a lot of potential, but it felt like it was hastily put together and the story was rushed through.  I thought the Eileen Telford's Elmer, the Christmas Elf could become a Christmas classic for children, but it has a ways to go to meet that standard.

Elmer tries to be a good elf, but finds that he is better at getting in the way than he is at being helpful.  The Master Elf lends Elmer a hand and teaches him to carve wood.  The ending became kind of obvious to me as I was reading but I liked where the story ended up.  I hope that the author sticks with the story and works to improve it.  I want to recommend it and I think with some edits I could.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama" by Selina Alko

This book is fabulous!  I didn't know anything about Hanukkah until reading Ann M. Martin's Little Sister series and learning about Nancy's Jewish celebrations.  I loved Selina Alko's Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama and how Sadie gets to celebrate each holiday with all of the members of her family.  They hang candy canes on the menorah and put gelt under the Christmas tree.  They eat foods traditional for each holiday and give presents for the eight nights of of Hanukkah and on Christmas mornings.

There were quite a few things I liked about this book.  First, I love how it incorporates elements of the two holidays.  It covers food, traditions, and how the two can be intertwined.  The second thing I loved was the art style.  I am realizing that I am quite a fan of mixed media.  I especially loved the way images were pieced together from found objects (I really loved the painted over crossword puzzle).  I think this a definite must for the holiday reading list.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Ex-mas" by Kate Brian

This book was sort of what I expected.  The plot was fairly predictable (right up to the cheating boyfriend and who Lila would end up with at the end of the novel), but that was exactly what I was in the mood for when I read it.  Though it was the right read for the mood I was in, it is hard to look back on the book and enjoy it.  I haven't read much of Kate Brian's work but compared to what I have read, Ex-mas did feel a little sub-par.   

Lila's parents are going out of town just in time for the first weekend of Christmas vacation, so of course she's planning a blow-out party.  And of course it gets spoiled at the last moment when her younger brother, Cooper tells their parents of her plan.  To get revenge, she leaves an article about global warming out where he can see it.  Now this may not seem like a big deal, but Cooper is crazy obsessed over Christmas and Santa Claus- and the article references that global warming will affect Santa Claus.  So Cooper hops on a train with his best friend (and brother of Lila's ex, Beau) to save Santa.  Now all Lila has to do is get her brother home- before her parents find out.  

The plot was almost a little too out there for me.  I guess since it takes place a Christmas time, it's a little easier to believe that two kids could get away with traveling without an adult.  However, it's not as easy to believe that Lila was able to get away with not taking her parents calls (of course, Cooper took her phone and tells their parents that Lila is in the shower, and other things of that sort when they call).  It's also frustrating that Lila and Beau don't get authorities involved.  Brian covered reasons why the two teens didn't get help, but there comes a point where a child's safety becomes more important than not getting in trouble or stressing out parental units.  This wasn't really a bad read, I just felt that there were a few too many plot holes for my liking.

This is one of those books that I'm glad I got used.  It was a really quick read and I doubt I will be reading it again.  Again, it's not a bad book, I guess I am just getting used to books with a little more depth.  If you are looking for a fun holiday romance, give this book a try.  It you are looking for substance, move along.

Happy Reading (and Holidays!)

-Melly

Hello Black Friday! Gift ideas from Beauty and the Armageddon!

So today is Black Friday and no, I won't be venturing out.  I've already bought a good portion of my Christmas gifts.  Still have a few more to make or purchase, but I'm never in the mood to fight crowds of people.  Yuck!  Instead I will be staying home, pigging out on leftovers, and reading.  But for those of you heading out to do some shopping, here are my recommendations for the bookish people in your life (or for the non-bookish that you are hoping to convert). 

Kids

The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin
The first 20 books in the series are being released as ebooks just in time for Christmas!  I own almost all of the books but I'm just itching to get them downloaded onto my kindle.  These titles will be great for nostalgic readers like myself and hopefully will appeal to a whole new generation of young readers.

Speaking of appealing to a new generation- try giving out books that were your favorite when you were young.  For instance, I would be giving out books like Little House on the Prairie, Ramona, and The Boxcar Children.  If you are excited about giving the present, they'll be excited about getting it.

Press Here by Hervé Tullet
Perfect for kids of all ages.  I've even seen it done for a group of third graders and it was hilarious.  This book is also great for teachers or anyone who interacts with a group of children.  It can easily be adapted for a group by letting the kids (and parents) in the audience take turns doing the books' various actions.  Really got the first graders at one of my local elementary books excited about reading.

Boys
The Avengers, Batman, *insert various superhero here*
Any more there is a plethora of inexpensive and easy to read books out there for young boys.  I have found these at library book sales and used books stores and often they are in decent shape.  Your wallet will like the price and the kid(s) will like the book.  Even if they aren't quite reading they will enjoy seeing the familiar characters and that will get them excited about their book.

Girls
*See above, only insert things like Barbie, My Little Pony, Dora...*
Again, seeing familiar characters that they already love will get them excited about books

Teens/Adults

Movie Tie-Ins
This year had movie releases such as The Hunger Games, The Hobbit,  Hugo (based on The Invention of Hugo Cabret), Breaking Dawn Part 2, One for the Money...okay, I could go on and on with titles.  Clearly there's a lot out there for movie/book lovers.  So why not tie-in to that?  Be creative!  Don't just rush out and buy someone the original title- if they enjoy it, they likely already have it.  But see if there is some sort of companion to the book, or a copy of the dvd.  Or maybe the movie they want to see isn't out yet- get them movie tickets for it's release.  Maybe there's a sequel coming out or just something else by the same author.  Perhaps they haven't read the book the movie is based on.  There's a lot of things you can do. 

Accessories

If your favorite reader has an e-reader device, they'll likely enjoy getting a fancy new cover or perhaps a book light (or the Paperwhite Kindle...).  Or get them the best accessory- a gift card to buy more books for their e-reader.

If your reader is like me, you may not be able to keep up with what books they own/don't own/want to own...so that's when a gift card becomes the perfect gift.  Personally I am not a fan of giving gift card (they always seem a little impersonal), but they do come in handy.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Readers!  What book(s) are you hoping to find under the tree this year?

Christmas List Recommendations

There is really nothing better to find under the tree on Christmas morning than a lovely stack of books.  Below are some books for the reader in your life for the upcoming holiday season.  Since I read a ton, I have more recommendations.  Feel free to ask!

Perfect Chemistry series by Simone Elkeles

I don't think it is a surprise to anyone that I am a huge fan of Simone Elkeles.  Her books are great for any reader of YA romance.

Harry Potter: Film Wizardry by Brian Sibley

The perfect gift for any and all Harry Potter fans (however, be aware that it comes with pull-outs and pieces)

Secrets of My Hollywood Life series by Jen Calonita

Great for the teen that enjoys keeping up with their favorite celebrities.  Calonita previously worked for Teen People and it is clear that she knows the ins and out of Hollywood and writes about it well.

Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins

A must read for fans of YA Fantasy.  I think that readers of both Harry Potter and Twilight can enjoy this series.

Gimme A Call by Sarah Mlynowski

Overall, just a fun book that toys with the possibility of being able to change your life by communicating with your past self.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

A powerful read.  Those who like Hate List may also like Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes.

Amelia's Notebook series by Marissa Moss

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid for girls (or for fans of Dork Diaries).  Series includes books featuring moving to a new city, family reunions, and dealing with bullies.

Good Eats: The Early Years by Alton Brown

An absolute must for everyone interested in cooking, whether they are a beginner or an expert.

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever" by Jeff Kinney

Was anyone else über excited for the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book?  I expected to read the book as soon as I got home from work, but I didn't quite expect to hurry and read it so that my boyfriend's brother could get his hands on it (not complaining, though I might have picked up an extra copy from the library had I known).


Jeff Kinney hit another home run in my opinion with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever.  As usual, Greg Heffley has a scheme up his sleeve; this time he's trying to get the best possible present for Christmas and spend as little on presents for his family so that he can buy something for himself- particularly tokens for Net Kritterz, an online pet site.  As can be expected, Greg and best friend Rowley have a plan to make it rich that ends in a way they never expected, only this time the police are involved!  But that's just a tiny bit of what happens to Greg.  You'll have to read the book to find out all of shenanigans Greg get himself into.

If you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend it.  And if you know an elementary or middle school boy that hasn't read it, now is the perfect time to get off the computer and take them to the nearest library or bookstore!

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Ghost Stories of California" by Barbara Smith (and other ghost stories too!)

Trying to decide how to review a book of ghost stories is far more difficult than I expected.  Stories and books from this genre that I particularly enjoy and have collected over the years come from Lone Pine Publishing.  I picked up my first book of ghost stories during a trip to California where I appropriately purchased a copy of Barbara Smith’s Ghost Stories of California.  I found it while browsing the gift shop at the Winchester Mystery House and appropriately mysterious stories from there and more can be found within the book.  As with many books, I immediately began to read (and be a little scared).  Since that day I have picked up many other volumes including Ghost Stories of the Rocky Mountains (Volumes I and II), Ghost Stories of Arizona and New Mexico and (though I haven’t had a chance to read it yet) Ghost Stories of Christmas.  The books have various authors; some give historical facts as to what led to each place to be haunted and what has been witnessed there and some offer chilling tales to tell around the campfire, but wither way, I have yet to find one that I have not enjoyed.

I have tried other books of ghost stories over the years, but these still remain my favorite.  I am always pleased to find one when I am on a trip so that I can read up on the places I am about to visit to see if I may come across a ghost or spirit (however, I’ve had no such luck).  These are the types of books I prefer to read in the middle of the day, in a very well lit room.  However, on occasion, I have found myself curled up under a blanket, unable to sleep because the stories and legends are swirling in my head.  And this, at least in my opinion, is the sign of a great ghost story.