JIM! Six True Stories About One Great Artist; James Marshall. Written and illustrated by Jerrold Connors. Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2025. $28.99 ages 6 and up

 

"James Marshall had two friends
who also wrote books. 

They were Maurice and Arnold. 

Together, the three friends had wild adventures."

I don't know how many children today know the work of James Marshall. If yours don't, at home or at school, they are worth a close look. His work is really amazing, and it deserves to have attention paid to it. To that end, Jerrold Connors does a stellar job of showing readers why the books were so popular, and what a special talent James Marshall was. 

This book is sure to remind fans of the George and Martha series which were written with humor and heart. It is divided into six short stories that tell readers about James (also called Jim), his life and hiswork. The first introduces Harry, a wildly imaginative friend, who offers up the idea for a new book. It's about a teacher named Miss Nelson ... and she is missing. Jim considers the idea interesting, and welcomes Harry to his home on the following day. Harry is carrying a huge manuscript that contains all of his notes for the story to be told. Jim considers the ideas; Harry writes and Jim illustrates the book about Viola Swamp, the substitute teacher who shows up when Miss Nelson is listed as missing. It is a great collaboration!

The rest of his life is shared in the following short stories. His friends Maurice Sendak and Arnold Lobel feature in the ensuing stories, as well as Jim's life partner Billy. When classical music proves to be a non-starter, Jim turns to storytelling. All three friends write books, and are constantly engaged in wild adventures. They each have great admiration for the others' work. 

Witty and heartwarming, this biography allows interested readers to know how James felt about the work he loved to do, the people who provided fodder for his imagination, his friendships, the children he met in the schools he visited, and his untimely death. Backmatter has an author's note, an explanation for each of the stories created for the book, and a timeline for his life. 

This is an excellent picture book biography of an artist whose books are as engaging today as they were when first published. The artwork is reminiscent of Mr. Marshall's books, and is both humorous and charming. Don't miss the wonderful endpapers, or the changes from the dust cover to the book's cover. 

Now, take some time to search out his books and meet Miss Viola Swamp, George and Martha, and the Cut-Ups and others who have entertained young readers and their caregivers for many years. 

Dropbear, written and illustrated by Philip Bunting. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"They say ... 

"Dropbear is mean." 

"Dropbear is rude." 

"Dropbear smells like 
stinky old food.""

It is always enlightening to see what busybodies can make one believe. Dropbear's story begins with the narrator (who is nowhere in sight) offering advice for what to look at in the old gum tree. There is a beware sign in plain sight. I wonder who put it there. 

Readers are advised to look up into the tree. There is nothing to see there, unless a much closer look is taken. Oh, there it is ... 'gray hair' 'grim stare'. Why, it's DROPBEAR! 'They have much to say about him, including about his manners and how he smells. If the reader wants to know more, the narrator is willing to add even more frightening details. 

Luckily, there is someone to tell the animals gathered that gossips love to tell lies and talk, talk, talk. Their fear comes from not knowing the truth. So, they dream up crazy ideas and pass them along to ramp up that fear. Animals passing the gum tree tread softly and quickly pass. A tiny bird who has seen no proof wants to know the truth. She stands firm at the bottom of the gum tree until Dropbear does, indeed, drop down and proves there is absolutely no need for fear. All he really wants is a hug. 

A note from the author states: 

"Did you know? 

A legend in Australia, the dropbear is the evil, fanged relative of the koala. But sightings and sneak attacks - all the jabber - are nothing but jokes! That's right. Dropbear is indeed a mythical creature. Australians are great pranksters, especially on tourists!"

https://youtu.be/hJEKCxrvtNQ?si=1gWLD9xXYJxa4mqU

Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet, written by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Charles Santoso. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up

"Tuft of grass and crunch of beetle. 
Wisp of wind and sharp pine needle.
Drop of sweat and drop of tear. 
Make my porcupine appear! 

"Porcupines don't 
hatch from eggs," a 
spelunker called from 
the darkness.

SNIVELING 
          SNAILS!"

My family and I really enjoy Beth Ferry's books. I highly anticipated seeing this one about a young girl who wakes one morning with a feeling that she is missing out on something. She scours the house to find what is making her feel that way. Nothing is remiss as she carefully checks. She leaves home to check the shops. With careful thinking she realizes that what she is missing is a pet. 

Where will she get the money she needs? The only thing she can afford is the mystery pet. It costs all of her ten coins. The contents are surely a mystery; the box holds an egg in a nest. What can it be? Evelyn watches it and waits endlessly for something to break through the shell. Her worry about the egg leads her to the library and a librarian who provides the book she needs to learn what she can about it. 

It must be a unicorn; a mountain climber puts an end to that thought. Using a second spell, she is determined it is a narwhal; wrong again. Could it be a porcupine? Do porcupines hatch from eggs? I think not! Evelyn's guesses seem endless. Spells done, and the trips of discovery end. Evelyn resorts to further waiting. 

"Instead, Evelyn 
cuddled her egg, 
read to it, 
sang to it. 

And finally, 

                    finally, 

                                 finally ... 

 CRACK!"

 What a lovely, warm surprise!            

Wonderful, ever-changing perspectives in the digital artwork carefully match the rhyming spells cast by the tiny witch. The repetitive 'sniveling snails' will win favor with young listeners who will offer help with assuring it is loud enough to have an effect.  

The 13th Day of Christmas, written and illustrated by Adam Rex. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Her neighbors came to their windows, too. 
Now the pipers and leapers and drummers
and dancers had an audience, so of course
everyone started doing their thing. 

I tried to tell her about Trudy, but she 
couldn't hear me over the music and animals.
The other seniors clapped along, 
and Mom had this big smile on her face. 
When the song ended everyone cheered.

Oh, thank you, 
sweetie. 
This was the 
BEST GIFT."

Oh, I love, love, love this new book from the very funny Adam Rex! Who hasn't heard The 12 Days of Christmas while singing Christmas songs? While singing it, have you ever considered the mess that might be left by the 13th day? If not, Mr. Rex offers a hilarious look at why it happened and what the resulting chaos is like.

In three introductory spreads, the narrator explains his true love is visiting her parents, leaving him quite lonely. The quiet allows him to hear chirping outside. An opened door offers a warm surprise ... a partridge atop a pear tree. He is impressed with both. A card explains it was sent by his true love. The day after Christmas three more birds and a pear tree are on his sidewalk. He is sure that readers have figured out what is happening by now. 

The first dramatic illustration fully covers the double-page spread with drummers, geese, dancers, swans, partridges, milkmaids. You can only imagine; the overwhelmed narrator feels a phone call is needed. (Trudy (his true love) answers on the fifth ring. An argument ensues, ending in a hangup and sadness for the narrator who has only tried to be honest about how he is feeling about the menagerie. He has many sympathetic guests. 

He decides to cycle to his mother's home. Stunned by the number of visitors outside, his mother needs an explanation. He offers a gold ring as he has many. She refuses, wanting only to keep the one his father gave her. It's time to take their leave. The shenanigans that happen as the large horde of people and animals make their way home simply adds to the fun of it all. 

"Our people grew and grew 
and spilled into the park.
My new friends and I met

fun-runners running, 

electric bikers biking,

skateboarders leaping, 

line dancers dancing."

On it goes until they are back home with more ideas than enough to help others, and raise money for important things. Suddenly, the day arrives for Trudy's return. No longer angry, he enlists from his friends to welcome her back. He explains that her gifts changed his life; they encouraged him to think of others and share which made everyone very happy. 

The hilarious and heartfelt ending makes it a book to be shared with all ages. Little ones will love the song and the hoopla; older students will understand the finer points of the gift meant to be sent to Trudy's true love. 

I have read it aloud numerous times (to myself), and can't wait to have a Christmas read with my granddaughters in July. Bravo! 
                                                                       

The First Christmas Tree: An Innu Tale. Written by Ovila Fontaine and illustrated by Charlotte Parent. Translated by Ann Marie Boulanger. Orca, 2025. $24.95 ages 4 and up

"The Great Manitou stopped in front of the 
fir tree. He asked, "Would you like to become a
Christmas tree for the Innu people?" 

Without hesitation, the fir tree replied. "Yes!
I want to be a Christmas tree. My needles and 
sap are already used for medicine. Now I want 
to bring joy to the children by letting them 
decorate me."

The Great Manitou, in one of his many forms, flies above the Innu during an unbearably cold winter. He knows they are struggling, and makes the decision to gift them a Christmas tree to bring a brightness to their winter season. It is in the forest he will find that tree. Beginning his careful search for the perfect tree, he is first impressed with the birch for its very useful properties. When asked if it would like to become a Christmas tree, the birch tree thinks first of itself and how much better it is than all other trees. It rejects the offer. The search moves on. A fir tree in the distance catches his eye, but not his interest. 

The larch tree's wood is hard and used by the Innu for bows and sleds. The larch tree is not interested. At the next fir tree, he takes note of its sticky branches and the sap dipping from its trunk. He again passes it by. The black spruce is appealing for its height and the moss it provides for passing caribou. Its logs warm tents with glowing heat. The larch only wants to grow larger; it has no interest in becoming a Christmas tree. Undeterred, the Great Manitou moves on again. Only then does he realize that he has come to the end of the trees to be asked. Wait! What about the fir tree? The first fir tree is delighted to accept the invitation. 

The Great Manitou is so pleased, he offers a gift of thanks. 

""Your fragrance will be the most highly prized among all the trees. Your perfume will fill the tents of the Innu and cure them of their ills. Go! Settle among the Innu.""

The Great Manitou returns to each of the trees that refused his offer, punishing them with losing their leaves in the fall and assuring that the black spruce will only exist in the far north. Once done, he returns to a clan mother and her family where food is provided for them and the first Innu Christmas is celebrated. 

Attractive, colorful artwork is much appreciated while sharing this Innu legend; young listeners will revel in the many shapes taken by the Great Manitou, always evident because of their bright pink color. Destined to be read numerous times for its appeal and excellent storytelling.                                                                                    

Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas, written by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald. Harper, 2025. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"Wedge's house was nothing like mine.
While my place was gigantic and flashy and imposing, 
Wedge's place was small and understated and cozy.

Wedge opened the gathering with a brief speech. 
Of course he was eloquent and welcoming. 

And then there was the party itself. 
It was just so ... so ... simple."

There's not much that the Big Cheese appreciates about Christmas unless it is celebrated on a grand scale. That means BIG. Not satisfied with normal efforts, he hosts the best parties with trees galore, lights on every surface, decorations at every turn, and all symbols of the festive holiday evident. The fun never stops! Every year things get bigger and better. 

Until they don't. The day's disastrous events begin with a broken-down washing machine. Spewing soapy water through house leads from one calamity to the next, involving tree lights, the refrigerator, and a lengthy clean up that bring an end to the planned extravagant party. What will he do?

Attention turns to best friend, Wedge Wedgeman, who agrees to take care of it all. Big agrees reluctantly, but what else is there to do? His guests are contacted with the new venue, and Big is off to the party. What a stellar surprise awaits them! Could this be what Christmas is all about? As December days fill with errands to run, gifts to buy, dinner plans to make, parties to attend - is it time to take a step back and let the beauty of the season and the joy of spending time with those you love take a front seat?  

A tear-sheet of 12 Christmas cards for kids to share is included.                                                                                      

Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker, written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

""It's just that you've never been to 
the ballet before, and you might 
get a little carried away."

"Me, Papa? No!" said the little 
red chicken."

Oh, it's great fun to see that Interrupting Chicken and her very attentive papa are back. In this, their fourth funny tale, it's the holiday season. Chicken and Papa are going to the ballet for the first time. Always wanting to be prepared, Chicken wears her tutu and ballet shoes to the theater. Knowing his daughter's penchant for interrupting, Papa asks if Chicken is likely to interrupt the production. She promises to be on her best behavior. 

If you have knowledge of Chicken's exuberance, you will be skeptical about the promise made. It takes no time at all for Chicken to take matters into her own hands. The interruptions number three, and come at critical points in the storytelling. The dancers are startled, the audience befuddled, and Papa is humiliated. She is so disruptive that the two are asked to leave. 

Now in possession of the Nutcracker, Papa says they must return it. How can they do that when they are not allowed inside? It's Chicken to the rescue, with all the ideas for getting the Nutcracker back before Clara awakens. Handing the narrator a new script to read that explains the change, Chicken saves the day once more. Time to head home with memories to share for days to come. 

Fans of Chicken and her Papa have another delightful story to share. So funny and very typical of a young child's need to have a say, this story will resonate with many. Full of giggles, it is sure to be a repeated request for storytime.