Christmas Magic

From Publishers WeeklyMagical merriment breaks out at Emily's house on Christmas Eve, when she sneaks out of bed to discover singing pets, a chorus line of stockings and a snowman and snowwoman dancing on the front lawn. The story line is a bit of fluff, but the real point here is Garland's (The Mouse Before Christmas) artwork. Exterior scenes fare best (notably a lilac sunrise seen through a stand of skeletal trees) while the interiors, with their surreal juxtaposition of objects and oddly flattened perspectives, are not as compelling. Ages 3-8.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.When lonely Emily tiptoes out of bed on Christmas Eve, she witnesses wild holiday enchantment in action-her cat and dog have learned how to sing "Jingle Bells," a rowdy crowd of mice are baking pies in the kitchen, and the snow-woman Emily built earlier in the day to keep her company has come to life! The best magic of all, however, is in Emily's brand-new friendship with the shy boy next door, which begins when they realize that they alone have witnessed the fantastical late-night happenings.Michael Garland's stunning illustrations are showcased in the ornate Victorian setting of Emily's home and neighborhood. Infused with warmth and mysterious action, this book is a gentle, joyful reminder that no matter what else the holiday brings, love and friendship hold the true magic of Christmas.From School Library JournalreS-Gr 2-On a Christmas Eve that seems especially magical, a little girl builds a snow-woman. During the night, she sees Katrina come to life and dance with the snowman next door, the stockings jump down from the mantel and form a chorus line, and mice bake pies. It could all have been a dream, but in the morning, the two snow people who started out in different yards are standing side-by-side. The illustrations of a Victorian household and a snowy night are stronger than the text, which has a somewhat contrived plot and flat prose.-V. W.GIBBONS, Gail. Christmas Is- illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Holiday House. Oct. 2001. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1582-1. LC PreS-Gr 2-A first introduction to Christmas that briefly explains the birth of Christ; some of the popular figures and symbols such as angels, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus, Christmas trees, stockings, and gifts; and how the holiday is celebrated. Gibbons masterfully explains concepts simply, clearly, and in a visually appealing way. Her two to three sentences per topic (with the exception of Christ's birth) give just enough information to help youngsters understand the meaning of the season. The attractive watercolor cartoons and simple prose make this a perfect read-aloud for one-on-one sharing or a solid choice for newly independent readers.-M. W.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.From BooklistAges 4-8. Christmas Eve can be a magical night, as Emily discovers. She awakens to find mice baking holiday pies, the Christmas stockings dancing, the angel decorations fluttering about the house, and, in a truly magical scene, the snow-woman she built in the front yard waltzing with the neighbor boy's snowman. Garland's illustrations are as bright as Christmas presents--from a front cover that shines like green foil wrapping paper to the family's Victorian house, with gingerbread trim, patterned wallpaper, and cast-iron stove, to Emily's dream-perfect snowfall coating the bare trees. The story is slight, but with the large, colorful pages and holiday atmosphere, it's ideal for December sharing. Catherine AndronikCopyright ? American Library Association. All rights reserved