Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.
Last week we shared some fun Christmas books. Today we are adding to our collection of new holiday picture books with our third roundup. Some of these books will be familiar and others are new! We will start with one of the ones that will sound familiar. It is The War Is Over! by Brad Booker, Dave Mullins and Sean Ono Lennon and illustrated by Max Narciso. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
About the Book:
A picture book adaptation of the Oscar-winning animated short film inspired by the song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s iconic anti-war anthem “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” inspired an Academy Award–winning animated short. Now the team behind the film has created an unforgettable picture book to carry on this timeless message of peace.
So this is Christmas.
Another year over.
A new war just begun.
Julia, a carrier pigeon, delivers messages to the battlefield. But she also has a secret mission. Even though the Red Jackets and the Great Coats are at war, Julia helps the soldiers on both sides play a special game to bring each other some joy during the holiday season.
Inspired by one of the most important songs of the twentieth century and the film that carried on its legacy, War Is Over! is a stirring reminder of the human connection that binds us all, even during the most divisive times.
From Me:
I am guessing you heard the song, "Happy Xmas (The War Is Over)" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It is a Christmas song we hear every year and this year you get to read a story based on the song! The story is about Julia, a carrier pigeon. She helped the commanders communicate with the frontline. However, she also brought some happiness to both sides by bringing chess moves back and forth to unknown competitors: one on each side. The soldiers enjoy watching the game back and forth until they get discovered. But the war ends and as the men are leaving the battlefield they come face to face with the other competitor and are able to wish each other a Happy Christmas.
This book is a wonderful story about friendship even among enemies. I love how it gives a background story to a famous song. The illustrations in the book are fun. They show a bit of war but not violence. It is more about the comradery of the soldiers looking for connections with one another and entertainment amongst the fighting. It also perhaps will help the kids understand a bit about the song.
This book is perfect for anyone who loves the song. It is also a perfect book to help kids understand how war is based on leaders disagreeing. The soldiers are following orders but do not necessarily hate the other side's soldiers. After all they are all people. It is a story that helps illustrate how friendships can form. Plus, it gives a look at the history of carrier pigeons in wars. To go with this book, it would be fun to teach kids to play chess.
The next story that you will recognize is Jan Brett's The Nutcracker by Jan Brett. It is also recommended for ages 4 to 8. We love Jan Brett books and have shared many of them over the years!
About the Book:
Jan Brett’s striking illustrations and the Christmas classic The Nutcracker are a match made in picture book heaven.Jan Brett’s Christmas classic now features an invitation to access music from the ballet performed by the Boston Pops!
When Marie and her brother Fritz receive a special Christmas nutcracker from their uncle, Marie immediately feels something magical. “He looks like a real boy,” she mused. “A real boy with a secret, who came from far away.”
This feeling is only the beginning of the epic adventure she goes on with the Nutcracker—into the cabinet, through the battle with the mice, and finally to the magical land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Jan Brett makes this classic her own by setting it in snowy Russia and adding whimsical touches to the favorite elements of the traditional ballet. Enjoying this book will be an instant Christmas tradition for families who love the ballet and those new to the story.
Like Jan Brett’s classics The Mitten and The Night Before Christmas, this is sure to make the perfect gift. The book includes an invitation to watch a video with Jan’s art paired with music by Tchaikovsky from the Boston Pops performance of “A Christmas Tale: Suite from The Nutcracker.”
From Me:
In Jan Brett fashion there are amazing illustrations throughout the book including on the sides of the pages. The book shares the classic story of The Nutcracker with Jan Brett's whimsy. The animals are dancing and look completely like Jan Brett's animals and are dressed appropriately in Russian style. The book is fun and colorful. It gives the amazing feeling of Marie's magical dream.
Our next book is a bit of a creation fantasy story. It is a story of friendship as well. The book is North: A Magical Friendship Story by J.R. Buchta and illustrated by Erin O'Leary Brown. This book is also recommended for ages 3 to 8. We have also shared some of J.R. Buchta's book previously.
About the Book:
"Long before anyone can remember,something happened that
no one will ever forget."
With a swirl of snowflakes, a shimmer of starlight, and a dazzling dance of color, the North Wind, the North Star, and the Northern Lights unite their magical powers to create something truly delightful-a host of vibrant, whimsical new friends!
At first, chaos whirls through the arctic skies and nothing goes quite right. But these Three Old Friends don't give up. Through teamwork and a little northern magic, they finally pull off a heartwarming success: NEW FRIENDS!
Dive into the magic and join the celebration as an unforgettable gathering of playful arctic animals and cheerful newcomers come together.
Can you guess who the merry, toy-making friends might be?
Here's a hint: they are full of holiday cheer and love spreading joy!
From the author of the award-winning book, The Wonderful Once: A Christmas Story, a prequel that imagines how the North Pole Elves came to be.
Why Readers love NORTH: A Magical Friendship Story:
- A new family read aloud tradition for readers around the world
- Teaches kids the value of friendship and kindness that will last throughout the year
- A feel-good tale for readers of all ages (0-102)
- Makes a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for children, parents, grandparents, and teachers
- Screen-free family time during the cold winter months and holiday season
From Me:
This is a magical tale of friendship. The North Star, North Wind and Northern Lights are old friends. They love to get together with the animals in the North Pole. The love to play and put on the magical shows of the Northern Lights and North Wind likes to create snow animals like their friends. The three wish to make new friends, but they realize most other animals would not be able to handle life in the North Pole. North Star and North Wind try to make new friends as a gift for Northern Lights, but they keep just getting what look like snow paper dolls all connected. Northern Lights joins in the fun and suggests that they add her colors. This is the missing piece, and soon colorful pieces are coming together and forming new friends--elves! This story is the prequel to The Wonderful Once. It is a tale that will be loved by all.
It is the perfect book for anyone who wants to share some winter magic with young ones. It is fun and magical but also includes things that could be STEM related like the Northern Lights, North Wind and North Star. Lessons could easily be made around these three to go with the book. Also, a fun craft would be to make some paper dolls like the first try of creating new friends or some elf crafts!
Our final book for today is a sweet new tale from the point of view of a girl whose family owns a Christmas tree farm. The book is called Our Christmas Tree Farm by Lisa L. Amstutz and illustrated by Christina Forshay.
About the Book:
An uplifting holiday story of a farm family and a girl's special Christmas tree.Customers have arrived at the Christmas tree farm, and Kate's whole family comes together to help―even Daisy the dog! Popping corn, setting up sleds, and baling trees keep the family busy while they maintain a watchful eye on one truly special tree.
Throughout the years, Papa has trimmed the trees, Mom has mowed the paths, and one extra special tree was planted for Kate. She and her tree are both seven years old and―finally!― the tree has grown tall enough to be brought inside and decorated for Christmas. Little brother Henry loves the tree so much that the family decides to graft a piece of it so they can grow Henry his very own Christmas tree, too.
With its vibrant illustrations, lyrical writing, and fun facts about a tree farm, OUR CHRISTMAS TREE FARM promises to become a new holiday tradition to enjoy for years to come.
This holiday picture book features information on how trees are grown and cared for on a farm. Extensive backmatter includes facts about Christmas trees and tree farms, how to graft a new tree from a twig, and the eco-friendly way to recycle a Christmas tree.
From Me:
This is a sweet story about a seven-year-old girl whose family owns a Christmas tree farm. She shares that her family started a tree for her when she was born and this is the year they are going to use it for their Christmas tree. The book shares all about growing trees. It shares the work throughout the year as well as how the family works together around the season. It is a sweet story and gives information about growing trees including how to start your own from a branch.
I love this look at such an important part of the holiday celebration. The customers are diverse in race, ability and more. It has such a happy book and helps get readers into the holiday spirit. It also explains some of the science behind how trees get started.
It is the perfect for the season with a little science. It helps give understanding to the life of farmers. It is a fun way to add a little learning to the season and understand a bit more about real Christmas trees. At the end of the book there some fun facts about Christmas trees as well as ways to reuse Christmas trees and how to compost them. Be sure to check out our post on the history of Christmas trees. To go with this book, it would be fun to make a Christmas tree craft. We shared a roundup of them a few years ago.
