Lankford and Dugan have collaborated on previous volumes about Christmas and birthday traditions around the world. In this disjointed effort, the author divides the U.S. into seven broad regions, presenting one page of historical, social and geographic information for that region, including commentary on Christmas traditions that relate to that region. This approach is problematic due to the inclusion of information that has nothing to do with Christmas, while leaving out major traditions such as taking children to visit Santa Claus, hanging up stockings or enjoying classic Christmas stories, poems and plays. Additional sections cover the history of the holiday at the White House and in the postal system, with added pages of activities and crafts. A recipe for Scripture Cake is included, and a few Bible verses are oddly incorporated into the text, although the custom of attending church on Christmas Eve is barely mentioned. The final spread is a timeline of commercial American toys. Dugan’s illustrations are bright and cheerful, with the cover showing smiling children waving American flags around a Christmas tree decorated in red, white and blue. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 6-9)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-688-15012-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Collins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2006
In a snowbound Swiss village, Matti figures it’s a good day to make a gingerbread man. He and his mother mix a batch of gingerbread and tuck it in the oven, but Matti is too impatient to wait ten minutes without peeking. When he opens the door, out pops a gingerbread baby, taunting the familiar refrain, “Catch me if you can.” The brash imp races all over the village, teasing animals and tweaking the noses of the citizenry, until there is a fair crowd on his heels intent on giving him a drubbing. Always he remains just out of reach as he races over the winterscape, beautifully rendered with elegant countryside and architectural details by Brett. All the while, Matti is busy back home, building a gingerbread house to entice the nervy cookie to safe harbor. It works, too, and Matti is able to spirit the gingerbread baby away from the mob. The mischief-maker may be a brat, but the gingerbread cookie is also the agent of good cheer, and Brett allows that spirit to run free on these pages. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-399-23444-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Miranda’s book counts the monsters gathering at a birthday party, while a simple rhyming text keeps the tally and surveys the action: “Seven starved monsters are licking the dishes./Eight blow out candles and make birthday wishes.” The counting proceeds to ten, then by tens to fifty, then gradually returns to one, which makes the monster’s mother, a purple pin-headed octopus, very happy. The book is surprisingly effective due to Powell’s artwork; the color has texture and density, as if it were poured onto the page, but the real attention-getter is the singularity of every monster attendee. They are highly individual and, therefore, eminently countable. As the numbers start crawling upward, it is both fun and a challenge to try to recognize monsters who have appeared in previous pages, or to attempt to stay focused when counting the swirling or bunched creatures. The story has glints of humor, and in combination with the illustrations is a grand addition to the counting shelf. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-201835-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
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