Simon & Schuster Children's Holiday Roundup 2011

‘Tis the Season for  

Holiday Reading! 
Give the Gift of Books from Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing  

The Magical Christmas Horse

Written by Mary Higgins Clark

Illustrated by Wendell Minor

ISBN: 9781416994787

Paula Wiseman Books ▪ 10/25/11 ▪ $19.99 ▪ Ages 4-8

Johnny’s Christmas wish has come true! The family will be together for Christmas at his grandparents’ home in Connecticut. He can’t wait to give his little brother, Liam, the wooden horse he rode when he was Liam’s age. When the family arrives at his grandparents’, everything is just as Johnny remembers it—except the wooden horse, which is broken, seemingly beyond repair. How can Johnny make this the Christmas he hoped for? With heartwarming text from one of America’s most beloved authors and captivating illustrations by Wendell Minor, The Magical Christmas Horse is a book that will be part of Christmas traditions for years to come.

The 12 Bugs of Christmas

Written and illustrated by David A. Carter

ISBN: 9781442426498

Little Simon ▪ 10/4/11 ▪ $12.99 ▪ Ages 3-6

Available for the first time in the bestselling BUGS mini trim size, David A. Carter's bestselling BUGS are here to help count down to Christmas in this festive pop-up title. What could be better than one Bug of Christmas? Why, twelve of them, of course! BUGS fans of all ages are sure to get into the Christmas spirit and join in the holiday fun with this pop-up extravaganza!

Olivia and the Christmas Party

Written by Tina Gallo

Illustrated by Drew Rose

ISBN: 9781442430709

Scribbles ▪ 10/4/11 ▪ $4.99 ▪ Ages 3-6

It's almost time for Olivia's Christmas party! With help from Ian, Francine and Julian, Olivia dreams up beautiful decorations and a fabulous menu--all in holiday red, of course! She also decides to surprise everyone with homemade presents. What is she going to make? Olivia isn’t sure but one thing is for sure—this is going to be the best Christmas party ever! This coloring and activity book comes with a spread of holiday stickers that can be turned into actual Christmas tree ornaments.

Olivia and the Christmas Present

Written by Farrah McDoogle

Illustrated by Jane L. Johnson

ISBN: 9781442436244

Simon Spotlight ▪ 10/4/11 ▪ $9.99 ▪ Ages 3-7

Olivia has the best present for Ian and she can’t wait to surprise him with it on Christmas morning. But Ian likes peeking at his presents so Olivia must find the perfect hiding place. After all, being surprised on Christmas morning is the best part of Christmas! Come along with Olivia as she gets a surprise of her own.

My take:  Christmas and Hanukkah are definitely the time of year for surprises.  And when our family opened our shed to take out our Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving, we received a very UNPLEASANT surprise.  For what did we behold, but a nest of full grown RATS who had taken up residence in the box of Christmas books (over 100) and in our Christmas tree.  We lost all but 5 of our Christmas books (that were packed in other boxes), our Christmas tree (the bag was chewed through), and a few years of my life when the rats jumped out at me!  My daughter was particularly distraught as she had plans for me to read every single book in that box to her so we could put them on her book log (when she has so many books on her log she gets to visit the principal - still a treat at this age - and he gives them pencils and candy).  What's a mom to do?  Turn to Simon and Schuster!  Luckily, they had just send me these four books above and so my daughter and I got started reading them right away.  Her favorite was Olivia and the Christmas Present because of the "surprise" Olivia got on Christmas morning; my favorite was The 12 Bugs of Christmas - I found myself singing the words to my daughter instead of reading (to the tune of The 12 DAYS of Christmas of course!) and we both collapsed in laughter.  Olivia and the Christmas Party is actually a coloring book with stickers but there is a story you can read along with on the bottom of the pages.  And The Magical Christmas Horse is truly a heart warming tale of a brother's love.  All four books are treasures to hold for years to come.  Thank you Simon and Schuster for starting our new Christmas book collection!

This review was sponsored by Simon and Schuster Publishing who provided the books for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary books.  My opinion is my own.