The Toymaker's Christmas: Paper Toys You Can Make Yourself, by Marilyn Scott-Waters, Sterling, $7.95, ages 9-12, 48 pages. Being a toy maker is often one a child's greatest fantasies and now thanks to this all-inclusive craft kit, yours can be an elf at home. In this utterly charming paperback, Scott-Waters shares 11 of her whimsically painted paper toys for children to punch out, fold and glue together, culminating with a magical display of Santa on his sleigh pulled by one of his reindeer. Among her designs, the "Happy Snowman," a 3-D fellow with stick arms and a blue felt hat, "The Nutcracker" with curving body parts and a jaw attached with a spindle, and "Star Elves" you stack by connecting slots on their heads, hands and feet. One of my favorites is a decorative card with a built-in wheel to count down the days to Christmas. Each day, turn the card over to read a new, Christmasy thought, like "Do Good" or "Be Happy." I've been a Scott-Waters fan every since our boys were wee. Her website, TheToymaker.com, is one of the best kept secrets in cyberspace, with oodles of paper toy patterns designed for children to print out and make for just about any holiday. And every one is free! (Look there for a sweet selection of Chanukah, Kwanzaa and New Year's projects.) To go there now, click
here. (You might just think you've been transported into Santa's workshop.)
By Bianca Schulze and Phoebe Vreeland, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 22, 2010
Last year, Lauren Thompson’s holiday book, The Christmas Magic, let us in on one of Santa’s little secrets: Santa gets a “tingling in his whiskers” when the Christmas magic is on its way. I believe that the tingling has begun. Perhaps even a little jingling, too!
From nicely illustrated carols to tales for the naughty and nice, our holiday gift to you is this list of wonderful Christmas books.
It’s Christmas, David!
by David Shannon
Reading level: Ages 3-7
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press (September 1, 2010)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: Readers of all ages will vividly remember trying to peek at hidden gift packages; writing scrolls of wish lists to Santa; and struggling to behave at formal Christmas dinner parties. Always in the background, we know Santa Claus is watching, soon to decide if David deserves a shiny new fire truck or a lump of coal under the tree. From playing with delicate ornaments to standing in an endlessly long line for Santa, here are common Christmas activities–but with David’s naughty trimmings. A surefire hit that is destined to be an annual classic.
Note: Fans of No, David! will be thrilled with Shannon’s latest addition. Pairing it with Too Many Toys would make a great gift. It’s Christmas, David is also available in Spanish.
Add this book to your collection: It’s Christmas, David! or llego La Navidad, David! (Spanish Edition)
From nicely illustrated carols to tales for the naughty and nice, our holiday gift to you is this list of wonderful Christmas books.
The Twelve Days of Christmas in Washington, DC
by Candice Ransom (Author), Sarah Hollander (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 5-7
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sterling (October 5, 2010)
Source: Publisher
Publish
You might be interested in checking out a new Rod Hunt Illustrator interview at Behance Network
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