The Snow Beast by Chris Judge

With a main character that would normally be the 'baddie' this book caught E's attention immediately. Chris Judge's 'Beast' stars in a series of awesome books and we're thoroughly enjoying 'The Snow Beast' as a Christmas treat.

The villagers living below the Beast's mountain have had their tools stolen and it's preventing the annual snow festival from going ahead.  Eager to help the villagers, the Beast goes on a hunt to find the culprit, and in a series of comic book like illustrations we follow him as he chases a giant set of footprints and eventually meets another Beast.

In the end the tools are returned, the Snow Beast is introduced to the villagers and there is a rockin' party in an iceberg.  Seriously, how much cooler can you get?  E loves the DJ Beast and counting the cakes at the party. I love the time together to enjoy a good book. Happy Holidays everyone!

Where Does Joe Go? by Tracey Campbell Pearson

Six Books I'm Reading...

Where Does Joe Go? by Tracey Campbell Pearson is one of those unexpected Christmas classics; unexpected because the word Christmas is never even mentioned.  

Joe runs an ice cream parlour in town but come winter each year he disappears. Each friend and neighbour has a theory as to where Joe goes. From the moon, to the beach, to tango dancing to the desert, we hear everyone's thoughts on Joe. But as you may have guessed, our pot bellied friend with the fluffy white beard is not up to any of these things.The final charming illustration of Joe in a red suit feeding ice cream cones to reindeer puts the rumour mill to rest once and for all.

I love this book for Christmas and I think you will too.

http://www.traceycampbellpearson.com/

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean and Eric Litwin

Six Books I'm Reading...

Pete the Cat is a much loved storybook character in our house and so is his Christmas tale published in 2012. Santa is sick and has only one choice but to call on Pete the Cat to deliver all the presents and ultimately save Christmas. But Pete, like his young readers, is aware that he is very small and this is a tall order.  With the help of a trademark Pete the Cat song to give him some extra courage, Pete proves that even the smallest of us can achieve big things. A warm message that sits nicely alongside a flying VW bus, a singing cat and a groovy little Christmas hero.

Mr Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

Six Books I'm Reading ...

 Originally published in 1993, Mr Willowby's Christmas Tree is a wondrous tale of the tree that keeps on giving, and in doing so captures the meaning of Christmas. In quick, clever ryhming text we learn that Mr Willowby's tree is just too big and the top must be cut off or it simply won't fit in his house. This little cutting becomes someone else's tree and the bit snipped off that tree gets passed on to someone else until even the mice have the perfect tree for Christmas, all thanks to Mr Willowby.

Beautifully illustrated with a vintage feel, this is a book I look forward to each year. And if you want more of Mr Willowby's story look up the Jim Henson production from 1995 and treat yourself to a little movie with Kermit as your guide.

A Very Pirate Christmas by Timothy Knapman and Russell Ayto

Six Books I'm Reading...

In no particular order the second of six festive books on the blog this season is 'A Very Pirate Christmas' by Timothy Knapman with illustrations by Russell Ayto. This is a crackin' Christmas tale and E is over the moon at the chance to read about pirates AND Father Christmas in one story.

It all begins on Christmas Eve when a band of pesky pirates capture Father Christmas and hide him in the hold of their ship.  Once he's safely stowed away they steal his sleigh and make the rounds scooping up all the loot he's just delivered.  They think they've gotten away with it until the cabin boy wakes up, catches them in the act and shames them into returning the presents and restoring Christmas cheer.

With funny ryhming text from Timothy Knapman and engaging illustrations from Russell Ayto (of Captain Flinn fame) this book is a keeper.  And if your house is anything like mine get ready to ready if for many, many, many nights to come!

...And the Big Christmas Rescue by Rory Stamp and Hannah Cumming

Welcome to Mrs Brown's 'Six Books I'm Reading'

For the next six days I'll feature a book a day as E and I greedily make our way through a pile of Christmas themed stories in the run up to the holiday season.

I'm kicking things off with a personalised book that you only just have time to order before Christmas, '... And the Big Christmas Rescue'.  You choose the name to feature in the story and your child will instantly become the hero/heroine of Santa's great sea rescue.

Proceeds benefit the Royal National Lifeboat Institution - a charity that saves lives at sea.  It's a worthy cause and it's also a great read. We've had a lot of fun with this story and the charming illustrations from the award-wining Hannah Cumming.

 I highly recommend it as a gift and for your bookshelf at home. Here's where to find it: RNLI (this personalised book is available in hardback or softback).