Monday, November 28, 2011

Holiday Gift Giving Guide -- Gifts for Kids -- Christmas-Themed Books



I always love to give and receive books for holiday and birthday gifts.  So, I am always on the lookout for great books that I would love to receive, when I choose books to give.  And, when I stumbled across Picture Window Books, I couldn't believe the assortment of books they offered.  I wanted each and every book. :-)  But, with two babies, I don't have all the time in the world to read these books, and share with my daughters.  That being said, I ended up choosing the following books to include in my holiday gift giving guide.  I hope one or more titles will interest you as gifts for your children or grandchildren. 

Merry Christmas, Gus! by Jacklyn Williams



SBN:  9781404809581 / 1-4048-0958-9
Publisher:  Picture Window Books
Copyright: 2005
Language: English
Page Count:  32
Page Dimensions:  5 3/4 x 8 1/4
Buy now for only $14.99.

Summary:

Gus wants to be sure that Santa Claus will remember him and what he wants for Christmas, but wearing huge antlers while waiting in line at Santaland draws more attention than he wants.

My Thoughts:

This was the first read-along book in the Gus series that I have read, and have to say that my family is now hooked on this cute little hedgehog. In this adventure, we follow Gus as he tries to stand out in a long line of children waiting to see Santa at the mall.  Gus ends up making reindeer antlers and adding candy canes to them in order to stand out.  But, as he moves up through the line, so does a pack of reindeers, looking to eat those tasty candy canes dangling from Gus's makeshift antlers.  When he finally does reach Santa, he tells Santa that he was dressed like this because he wanted Santa to remember him.  Santa then tells Gus that he never forgets a person, and even called Gus by his name.

The illustrations in this book, done by Doug Cushman are amazing.  So colorful and festive, they really do pull the whole story together.  I enjoyed reading this book with my daughter, and can't wait until next Christmas to read it again.  It will definitely become a holiday favorite for years to come.  If you haven't read books from the Gus series, then why not start with this book?  I know your child will love Gus!


Christmas Fun: A Spot-It Challenge by Jennifer L. Marks




ISBN:  9781429622196 / 1-4296-2219-9
Publisher:  Capstone Press
Copyright: 2009
Language: English
Page Count:  32
Page Dimensions:  9 1/4 x 10 1/4 
Buy now for only $19.99.

Summary:

Open up a Spot It book and feast your eyes. Delightful photographs packed with hidden objects will keep you searching for hours. Combined with fun clues, the Spot It collections of scenes and objects are sure to challenge even eagle-eyed readers.

My Thoughts:

I have always been a fan of puzzle and spot it books.  So, when I stumbled across this book, I knew I had to pick it up and share it with my family.  I absolutely loved the festive photographs.  And, searching for the various items in each photograph was both fun and challenging.   I ended up putting this book out on the coffee table, and since then, family and friends love flipping through and trying to find each object.  The young children especially love the challenge, while the adults admire the beautiful photographs and vintage toys in many of them.  What a great way to bring a family together, than with a spot-it book.  I found myself snuggling on the couch with my daughter, pointing out each item, as well as talking about other festive objects in each photograph.  This would make for a great family gift, or gift for children who love spot-it or puzzle books.  And, with the long drive to the grandparents house this holiday, why not pick up this book to keep the children entertained in the backseat?

Reindeer Crunch and other Christmas Recipes by Kristi Johnson




ISBN:  9781429620178 / 1-4296-2017-X
Publisher:  Capstone Press
Brand:  Snap
Copyright: 2009
Language: English
Page Count:  32
Page Dimensions:  10 x 8
Buy now for only $20.49.

Summary:

Have you ever munched on Wormy Apple Croissants? How about Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi? These are not your ordinary cookbooks! Easy step-by-step instructions guide you through each unique recipe. Equipment lists, safety tips, and difficulty ratings for each recipe are also included.

My Thoughts:

I am a collector of cookbooks.  And, now with two young daughters of my own, I am starting a cookbook collection for them, which includes kid-friendly recipes.  I can't wait until my girls are old enough to help Mommy in the kitchen.  I enjoyed baking holiday cookies with my mother, and can't wait to start this tradition with them. Thanks to this book, I will have some great recipes to choose from.  I ended up trying out each of the recipes in this cookbook, and have to say my favorites were Santa's peanut butter thumbprints, marshmallow wreaths, and the spritz sticks.  Some of the recipes were ones I had made with my mother growing up.  It brought back fond memories baking with her in the kitchen.
If you are looking for a kid-friendly cookbook to share with your children or grandchildren this holiday season, why not pick up this book.  Many of the recipes only call for 5-6 ingredients, and the easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions are great for even the novice baker, and for young children to follow along.
A Christmas Cookbook by Sarah L. Schuette: Simple Recipes for Kids



ISBN:  9781429659994 / 1-4296-5999-8
Publisher:  Capstone Press
Brand:  First Facts
Copyright: 2012
Language: English
Page Count:  24
Buy now for only $18.49.

Summary:

Spread some Christmas cheer with these quick and easy holiday treats. In just a few simple steps, you can make Blitzens Bagels, Mrs Claus Cookies, and much more. So grab your Santa apron and get in the kitchen! Snack time will never be the same.


My Thoughts:

This is another kid-friendly cookbook, which I absolutely loved.  What made this cookbook stand out was the fun names of the recipes.  Kids will go crazy asking to make North Pole Pie, Santa's Salsa Rolls and Stuffed Sleigh Sammies to name a few.  And, many of these recipes only call for 4-5 ingredients.  In addition to easy-to-follow instructions, both you and your child can view photos of each step, to help guide you through the recipe.  None of the recipes in this cookbook require baking, so even the youngest of children can participate in a day of holiday cooking.  Another feature in the book that I love is the techniques section, where it shows children through photos common cooking lingo, like crush, drizzle, fold, sprinkle, stir and toss.  Not only will they have fun cooking in the kitchen, but they will also develop the skills needed for more complex cooking down the road.  This is a must-have holiday cookbook for families with young children.

No Snow for Christmas by Jill Kalz




ISBN:  9781404854987 / 1-4048-5498-3
Publisher:  Picture Window Books
Brand:  Fiction Picture Books
Copyright: 2010
Language: English
Page Count:  32
Buy now for only $18.99.

Summary:

Fawn Braun is worried. There is no snow, and Christmas Eve is tomorrow. Without snow, Christmas may silently pass by Pfeffernut County. With a little help and imagination, Fawn is ready to save Christmas.

My Thoughts:

I just love this holiday book.  The illustrations alone are beautifully done by Sahin Erkocak.  I found myself flipping through the book just admiring the illustrations.  The story follows Fawn, a young girl on the prairie, who is worried that Christmas will not come because there is no snow on the ground or in the forecast.  Children will follow along, as they see Fawn worry and how others on the prairie try to re-create snow with popcorn and bubbles, to name a few.  But, in the end, she realizes that Christmas will still come, and that you can't rush snow.  It will eventually come when it is ready.  When you are done reading this holiday story with your children, you can discuss it further with the Pfeffernut follow-up questions in the back of the book.  This will really get your child talking about this book, as well as about themselves.  Want to know where snow comes from, and how many snowflakes fall in a single snowstorm?  Well, no need to wonder anymore, thanks to the Fun Snow Facts, also found in the back of the book.  I never knew that billions of snowflakes fall in a single snowstorm, and that 10% of the Earth's surface is permanently covered in ice and snow.  Children will love reading these and other fun snow facts. I can't to read this story again and again to my girls each December.  


As you can see from the handful of books I was sent by Picture Window Books/Capstone Publishers, there are a variety of holiday books available to give as gifts this holiday season.  So, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to Capstone Publishers today, or to your local bookseller and pick up some wonderful holiday titles to share with your family.  


Disclosure:  I was copies of these titles by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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