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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
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!
Beautiful Holidays
Let’s Talk! Celebrating the Holidays follows a group of young friends curious about one another’s holiday traditions who find a way to celebrate their differences together. What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in your book?
Some educational aspects that were important to me to ensure to include were holidays other than Christmas that occur during the same time. As beautiful a holiday as Christmas is, I feel like it is focused on too much. There are some beautiful holidays that occur during the Christmas season, and I wanted to showcase them. It was also important to me to focus on sensory processing disorder as best I could. It is touched on enough in the book and focused on a great deal more in the sixth book that will come out in a few years.
The art in your book is beautifully presented. Can you tell us a little about the collaboration process with your illustrator?
Thank you! The illustrator did an incredible job! I was a bit worried about this book because the holidays showcased are so vibrant, and I wanted them to come off so beautiful. I feel so lucky that Blueberry Illustrations really did such an incredible job. For the process, I write up summaries, and for this book, I actually did research and put in specific pictures for each illustration. I wanted things to look a certain way, and the illustrator is amazing! They took my notes and really did a wonderful and beautiful job.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book I am working on is book 2 in the Cat Brothers series, Mischievous Cat Brothers. It will be available in 2024–just not sure of a drop date yet. I will be publishing multiple books, including book 3 in that series. Have to stay tuned for more information!
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon
However, this is not just a celebration of holiday customs; it is also a journey of understanding and acceptance. Emma lives with autism, and her friends take this opportunity to learn about her sensory processing disorder. Along with Harper and Jerry, young readers will learn what it means to support a friend with sensory sensitivity and explore how to be empathetic and considerate of differences. Lets talk! Celebrating the Holidays offers not only a diverse cultural immersion but also an opportunity for readers to appreciate the spectrum of human neurodiversity.
Let’s Talk! Celebrating the Holidays
Let’s Talk! Celebrating the Holidays, by Lisa Jacovsky, is an engaging narrative that thoughtfully highlights the value of embracing cultural diversity through festive traditions. The book centers around Harper, who celebrates Christmas, and her friends Emma and Jerry, who observe Diwali and Hanukkah respectively. Their curiosity about each other’s traditions leads to a collaborative effort to learn and celebrate together, culminating in a party that integrates elements from all three festivals.
Jacovsky skillfully portrays the characters’ diverse backgrounds and personalities, weaving them into the fabric of the story. The author underscores the theme of inclusivity with the addition of Emma, an autistic character, who communicates using special cards. The characters’ interactions embody mutual learning, emphasizing the significance of understanding and valuing different cultures. This is particularly evident as the children work together to blend their traditions into a harmonious celebration.
The narrative, while straightforward and without a central conflict, succeeds in being both educational and enjoyable. It effectively imparts universal values such as empathy and friendship, alongside fostering creativity in problem-solving and event planning. Jacovsky’s writing style is clear and accessible, making the book suitable for young readers. The story’s vibrant illustrations further enrich the experience, vividly portraying moments of joy and cultural sharing.
Let’s Talk! Celebrating the Holidays emerges as an effective resource for initiating conversations about inclusivity, tradition, and respect among children. It not only entertains but also educates, making it a valuable addition to any young reader’s collection. Jacovsky’s balanced representation of the three holidays reinforces the book’s message of equality and mutual appreciation among different cultures.
ASIN : B0CKTY4TSS
Kittens Learn About Holidays
There are so many holidays that it can be quite overwhelming to celebrate them all and learn about them. In Kittens Learn About Holidays by Shan Frazier, we are introduced to a group of loveable kittens who have just been adopted and need to get up to date with society’s holidays to be able to fully embrace their new lives. This educational story is filled to the brim with small bits of information I feel like we all should know, but one would be a liar if they dared say so. I found an abundance of newfound knowledge in every holiday introduced and now feel completely informed, as should these kittens.
The illustrations are just adorable and extremely delightful and depict each holiday perfectly. The dedication at the beginning of the book was so incredibly sweet that I could relate instantly to the author. Having a parent that goes above and beyond for special occasions or celebrations are memories that we cherish for a lifetime and tend to pass down as tradition.
Young readers who pick this book up will gush over the cute tiny felines and swallow up all the acquired facts strewn throughout. I just know my own children will love all the items and decorations on each page and we will have nonstop conversations over them. This turns a cute story into the perfect one for learning together and starting conversations about different cultures and religions. I feel the book was well thought out, researched, and expertly written.
Kittens Learn About Holidays is a beautifully written picture book that will educate and entertain children with details about their favorite holidays and teach them about new ones. This multicultural children’s book would be the perfect addition to a classroom and home to share with kids.
Pages: 40 | ASIN : B0B7PSHK8T
Christmas Sunrise
Christmas Eve is a magical time for children and adults alike. Hope and excitement fill their hearts and minds as they anxiously wait the morning. This heartwarming picture book has three Christmas Eve memories from different family members. Each story is told from the perspective of a different stage in life, grandparent, mother, and child. Readers feel the excitement and anticipation through the pages as they wait to see Christmas morning arrive. The themes of family and hope shine through each page and give readers that warm fuzzy feeling that this time of year brings out.
Author Dr. Calvin James and illustrator Jordan Pizzuti have created a memorable story in Christmas Sunrise. Dr. James’s storytelling feels like sitting and listening to older relatives share what life was like when they were growing up. That feeling of nostalgia and comfort comes through each little story in this book. The artwork adds character and allows the readers, especially children, to relate to the story and the things that are happening. Children will feel the excitement and inability to sleep on the night before Christmas as they read the pages. They will be transported to that time in their life when they wait for sleep to overtake them so they can wake up in the morning to the joy of Christmas day.
Christmas Sunrise is a beautifully written picture book that encompasses the wonder of the season. The memories of wishing for a white Christmas, the anticipation of falling asleep and waking up Christmas morning, and the joy of being with family on this special day. Three generations are represented in this touching children’s book, and families will love reading it together.
Pages: 24 | ISBN: 173717894X
LITERARY TITAN 