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Peaches and Jake Celebrate Christmas
Peaches and Jake Celebrate Christmas is a sweet little story about two rescue pups waking up on Christmas morning to discover the surprises Santa left them under the tree. They each get giant bones and then two toys, a moose for Jake and a fox for Peaches, and the rest of the day unfolds with the dogs learning what to do with their gifts. Jake destroys his moose with pure joy, Peaches figures out that Foxie makes a perfect nap buddy, and their mom watches over the whole thing with so much love. It feels like flipping through a family photo album where every picture tells its own tiny story.
There is a softness to the writing that feels like someone talking to me from their couch with their dogs at their feet. The real photos of Peaches and Jake add charm because they are so expressive. I kept giggling at Peaches trying to figure out Foxie. And the whole saga of Moosie slowly losing limbs and stuffing had me cracking up. There is something sweet about how Jake loves that toy even when it becomes a little fabric scrap. It says a lot about how dogs attach meaning to things and how we do the same sometimes without even realizing it.
I also liked how the book shows the two dogs having such different personalities. Jake barrels into Christmas like it is the best day of the year. Peaches moves carefully and watches everyone else first. It reminded me of how different pets can be, even when they grow up in the same home. The photos on almost every page make it easy to stay engaged. Honestly, it felt a little like being invited into the author’s living room to watch a memory replay itself.
I think this picture book is perfect for young kids who like animals and for grown-ups who just want something soft and happy to read. It is especially lovely for dog lovers or anyone who enjoys holiday stories that feel real and cozy. If you want a children’s book that brings a smile without trying too hard, this one is a great choice. It is playful, sweet, and full of genuine affection, and that makes it a wonderful holiday read for families.
Pages: 48 | ASIN : B0DFDWN1SN
Delaware at Christmas: The First State in a Merry State
Delaware at Christmas is a richly illustrated tour of how one small state has celebrated the holiday across four centuries. Author Dave Tabler moves from early Scandinavian and Dutch settlers to later British, German, Irish, Italian, Polish, Black, and Hispanic communities and shows how each group brought its own Christmas customs into Delaware life. The book then shifts to 19th-century practices like eggnog, sleigh bells, mumming, and plum pudding, before moving into the Victorian period with holly-wreath factories, Christmas seals, and toy trains. Finally, it lands in the late 20th and 21st centuries with house tours, IBM punch-card wreaths, handbell choirs, Kwanzaa, and even Christmas in July, then closes with a reflective postscript on technology and sustainability. The structure feels like a guided walk through time, with short thematic chapters, archival photographs, and clear, accessible explanations that keep the focus on place, people, and memory.
I found the writing warm, steady, and very readable. The tone stays careful and professional, yet it feels like a neighbor telling stories over coffee, not a distant professor. I appreciated the way Tabler anchors each chapter in a concrete detail, such as the Sankta Lucia procession at Old Swedes Church, the Feast of the Seven Fishes in Wilmington’s Little Italy, or the oplatek bread on Polish Christmas Eve, and then pulls back to show how that custom grew from older roots. The references to specific churches, festivals, and streets gave me a sense of real neighborhoods, real people, real weather in December. The short chapter format keeps the pace brisk, and I rarely felt bogged down, although now and then I wished for a touch more narrative glue between topics, especially when the book jumps from one ethnic group to another in quick succession. Overall, though, the style carries a lot of research without feeling heavy, and that balance impressed me.
Emotionally, the book hit me in a quiet but lasting way. It is worth noting that Tabler does not treat Christmas as a simple feel-good backdrop; he lets harder stories in, such as Antebellum Black Christmas and the rise of independent Black churches, and he gives those sections space and dignity instead of pushing them to the margins. At the same time, there is a playful curiosity in chapters on holly wreath factories, punch-card decorations, and Christmas savings clubs, and I caught myself grinning at the sheer oddity of some of those details.
The closing pages, with their focus on Delawareans adapting to online services, digital cards, and greener holiday habits, felt surprisingly tender; they invite the reader to think about their own family rituals and how those might change, or already have changed, over time. I finished the book with a mix of nostalgia, respect, and a little itch to go hunt down a local church festival and hear handbells in person.
I would recommend Delaware at Christmas to readers who love regional history, to Delaware locals and expats who want to see their home through a festive lens, and to anyone who collects books on Christmas customs and folk traditions. It will likely appeal to genealogists, church groups, and teachers who need strong, specific examples of how culture, faith, and migration shape a holiday over time. If you enjoy dipping into short, well-researched vignettes that together build a larger picture, this will be a very satisfying read.
Pages: 130 | ASIN : B0F4NJ2KTZ
Fang, Bang and the Midnight Mouse: The Christmas Call
The Christmas Call, the latest installment in J-J Murray’s Fang, Bang, and the Midnight Mouse series, is tailor-made for cozy holiday read-alouds shared with family. Illustrated by Katie Tayler, the story opens on a snug Christmas Eve with the Jollie family, where cat detectives Fang and Bang are reveling in their favorite season. The warmth doesn’t last long. Trouble strikes at the Hill Inn when a prized wheel of Stilton cheese disappears without a trace. Summoned to investigate, the two feline sleuths follow a tantalising trail of crumbs far from home, all the way to Cambridge, where they come face to face with Midnight Mouse and her mischievous crew. What follows is a brisk, festive mystery packed with sharp twists, seasonal mayhem, and more than a few cat-astrophes.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is how naturally it weaves together humor, intrigue, and genuine warmth. The pace is swift and confident, keeping young readers absorbed as Fang and Bang pursue clues through snowy streets, bustling museums, and even a Christmas carol service. The language remains light and approachable, sprinkled generously with cat puns that will prompt giggles from children and knowing smiles from adults. At times, the narrator speaks directly to the reader, posing questions and inviting them to think alongside the detectives, which adds a playful, interactive dimension to the story.
Katie Tayler’s illustrations brim with energy and charm. Every page feels alive with movement and warmth, allowing Fang and Bang’s distinct personalities to shine. The festive settings are richly imagined, and the artwork supports the text beautifully, guiding young readers through the action while deepening the cozy Christmas atmosphere.
Beneath the mystery lies a thoughtful message about generosity and empathy, particularly fitting for the holiday season. Midnight Mouse is not portrayed as a simple villain. Her motivations are handled with surprising tenderness, offering children a nuanced understanding that mistakes do not define a character’s worth. A brief section at the end exploring the history of Stilton cheese adds an unexpected educational touch, enhancing the story without interrupting its momentum.
Overall, this is a delightful choice for families seeking a festive tale that balances entertainment with heart. The Christmas Call is witty, inventive, and warmly inclusive, an excellent pick for young readers who enjoy mysteries, animal heroes, and Christmas adventures wrapped in charm.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FXNP9YC4
Let the Story Lead Itself
The Best Worst Christmas Ever follows a father and his three children trapped by a blizzard on Christmas Eve, who, after the power goes out, spend the evening on a magical adventure through their shared imagination. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
After writing five adult mysteries, I wanted to challenge myself with something completely different and decided to cross over to a fantasy. I started brainstorming ideas not long before Christmas, so it was an easy decision to choose a holiday setting. I thought it would be fun to see the story from different points of view as it progressed, and what better way to do that than to have it told by children of different ages with different ideas of what the story should be. The power outage was the only way I could think of to force bickering children to sit still and listen to each other talk. It also created more of a cozy atmosphere in the home.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
I have three daughters, all grown now, that I used to read to every night at bedtime. Much of their interactions with each other and reactions to the stories, including their likes and dislikes, found their way into the voices of the children in this story.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I had my first novel all planned out, but by the third chapter, it had taken itself in a totally different direction, and I never used most of what I’d plotted in advance, so I’ve learned to just let the story lead itself as I write. Virtually all of the events in this book were the result of ideas that only entered my mind while writing the chapter before it. It’s surprising how different parts end up fitting together even without following an outline.
What is the next novel that you are working on, and when will that be available?
I wrapped up my five-mystery series in a way that would make it unfair to the characters to bring them back and put them in harm’s way again. Now, though, I’ve had several requests to write a prequel, including one from my editor. It’s an intriguing idea that I may pursue this winter, but at this point, it’s only a concept that will require a lot of gray hair to bring to reality, so the release of an actual book is hard to imagine at this stage.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
From the Back of a Donkey, Journey of a Lifetime – Second Edition
Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor’s From the Back of a Donkey: Journey of a Lifetime reimagines one of the most familiar stories in the Christian tradition, the birth of Jesus, through the eyes of Mary. The book blends biblical retelling, creative storytelling, and devotional reflection into a narrative that feels both ancient and deeply personal. Each chapter combines Mary’s imagined thoughts and prayers with scriptural passages and reflection questions for the reader, making it part story, part meditation, and part journal. The style is warm, vivid, and grounded in faith, giving life to moments that the Gospel of Luke only hints at.
Reading this book, I found myself unexpectedly moved. Minor doesn’t just recount events; she breathes humanity into them. Her Mary isn’t distant or saintly in the untouchable sense; she’s tender, curious, even a little scared, and wholly devoted to God. The writing feels like sitting down with someone who loves to tell stories by firelight, earnest and filled with wonder. There’s something beautiful in the author’s refusal to make Mary flawless. Instead, she lets her faith shimmer through her doubts and daily tasks, through her conversations with Joseph and her cousin Elizabeth. I loved that. It made the sacred story feel reachable, even intimate.
Stylistically, the book reads with a kind of musical rhythm, almost like a prayer. At times, I caught myself pausing just to let a sentence sink in. The writing is rich with sensory detail like the smell of baked bread, the roughness of wood, the brightness of stars, and yet it never drifts into heavy language. The author’s tone feels humble and heartfelt. Occasionally, the abundance of biblical references slows the pace, but it never feels forced; rather, it roots the story in the faith that inspires it. I could tell this book was written not only with literary care but also with devotion.
From the Back of a Donkey draws the reader into reflection, not just about Mary’s journey, but about their own. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to experience the Christmas story in a fresh, contemplative way. It’s perfect for believers who enjoy devotional reading, book clubs that center on faith, or anyone who wants to feel a deeper connection to the humanity behind the divine story.
Pages: 99 | ASIN : B0CP8WMQS4
The REAL 12 Days of Christmas
The REAL 12 Days of Christmas takes the familiar carol and spins it into a whimsical love story. Travis Trulove, a young man with more persistence than sense, tries to win over Taylor by giving her increasingly outrageous gifts over twelve days. Birds, cows, maids, dancers, lords, pipers, even a dog band with drummers, all tumble into her life in a kind of joyful chaos. What starts as a quirky attempt at romance blossoms into a fairy-tale ending where love, music, and laughter rule the season.
I found myself smiling through most of it. The writing has a playful rhythm, almost like someone telling you a story out loud, a little tongue-in-cheek and never taking itself too seriously. I liked that. It reminded me of being a kid, when stories didn’t need logic to make sense, just a sense of fun. The humor is lighthearted, and I could feel the author’s love for exaggeration in every chapter. The French hens with lipstick and wine glasses might be my favorite detail.
Once I gave in to the idea that this was a story more about spectacle than sentiment, I enjoyed the ride even more. It’s a book for anyone who wants to laugh at the absurdity of grand gestures in love. One of the things that stands out in this picture book is the artwork; it feels alive and playful. The colors are bright and full of warmth. Each scene feels like a painting you could hang on a wall.
I’d recommend The Real 12 Days of Christmas to families looking for a festive story to read together, as well as to adults who want a little humor mixed into their holiday traditions. It’s playful, colorful, and best enjoyed with the same “childish enthusiasm” the author says life should have. If you go in expecting lighthearted fun and a good laugh, you’ll find yourself charmed.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FLT64PMG
If I Had One Wish: I’d Wish That You Were Here
If I Had One Wish: I’d Wish That You Were Here, by August E. Allen, introduces us to Wynter, a snowman whose heart aches with loneliness. One quiet winter’s night, he lifts his gaze to the stars and makes a simple wish, for friends to share the snowy world around him. His wish is answered with gentle magic as a pair of cardinals and a colony of bunnies arrive, filling his days with laughter, warmth, and companionship. Though Wynter delights in this newfound joy, a quiet longing remains. He comes to understand that those he misses are never truly gone; they remain close, tucked deep within his heart, and with friends by his side, he will never be alone again.
Wynter is a character brimming with charm and relatability. His yearning for connection mirrors our own human need for belonging. The story’s closing realization, that love endures across distance and even loss, is both poignant and universal. It speaks to anyone who has felt the absence of a loved one and found comfort in the strength of family and friends.
The illustrations enrich the narrative beautifully. They capture Wynter’s solitude with quiet grace, then burst into joy and warmth as his companions gather around him. The snowy scenes evoke the enchantment of winter nights and the anticipation of the holiday season, adding layers of coziness and wonder to the tale.
If I Had One Wish: I’d Wish That You Were Here is a gentle reminder, cloaked in snowy wonder and touched with starlight. For young readers, it offers a way to understand the complexities of missing someone, whether through loss, distance, or change. For adults, Allen provides a reminder of the healing power of companionship. Heartfelt, tender, and visually delightful, If I Had One Wish is a perfect winter read for families to share.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0FNDJ4JQ5
Pure Creative Alchemy
Elf Dust follows elves as they sneak into homes before Christmas to check whether kids have been naughty or nice and leave behind a mystery surprise for children to discover. What was the inspiration for your story?
I lived in Hong Kong in a high rise. My children were quite young and eager for a fun-filled Christmas. The only problem was – Santa could not land on our roof and, of course, there were no chimneys. I had to come up with something to create magic and mystery. Elf Dust came to me driving to work one morning.
My son discovered his first elf dust and raced to the playground of our building to tell his friends. Soon I had an apartment full of kids all circling the specimen like archeologists at a dig. They were mesmerized. Then the other parents in the building used some of my dust and one by one children were rushing to announce their elf dust sitings. I can safely say it was a tie between parents and kids as to who had more fun! Parents also loved how easy it was. Me too!
But, the real testament to Elf Dust’s magic was when my son showed his younger sister her first Elf Dust. As she went to touch it, he pulled her back saying “Oh No, you can’t touch it or you’ll become an Elf.”
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The entire book was a joy. But, If I must choose it would be the scenes where the children find Elf Dust. They remind me of all the years I saw this wonderful scenario play out. The moment the Elf Dust is discovered is a moment of sheer elation for the young and the young at heart who love the magic of Christmas.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Colleen Sgroi?
It was pure creative alchemy. From our first conversation, it was clear Colleen understood what I was looking for, like no one else. It was a harmony of words and images like I’ve never experienced before. While I was eager to finish the book, I was sad when the creative process ended. Each session was a real collaboration, and the result was beyond what I hoped for. Colleen and I worked very well together sharing our ideas and visions. But it was her art and talent that brought it all together.
What next book are you working on and when will it be available?
I am working on a sequel involving Cookie and Jingle – the two elves on the cover. They’re senior elves in Santa’s brigade and will surely have some stories to tell in the future.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Have you seen Elf Dust in your house? Better check!
LITERARY TITAN 