Picture Book Review: Aliens Love Panta Claus

Aliens Love Panta Claus
Written by:  Claire Freedman
Illustrated by: Ben Cort
Published by: Simon & Schuster, 2010

* My family has read and enjoyed Claire Freedman's Aliens Love Underpants.  So when I saw she had written a Christmas book I had to check it out.  In this story the aliens are excited about Christmas.  They are giving away underpants and end up helping Santa out when his sleigh breaks down. 

Told in rhyme, this is a silly and entertaining read.  The illustrations are colorful and humorous.  My son found it hilarious to see all of the different characters (aliens, snowmen, animals, etc.) in underpants. 

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

Picture Book Review: The Hanukkah Hop!

The Hanukkah Hop!
Written by:  Erica Silverman
Illustrated by:  Steven D'Amico
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011

* This is a Hanukkah story told in rhyme.  Rachel and her family are preparing the house for a Hanukkah party - hanging streamers and balloons, making latkes, and clearing a space for a dance floor.  As the guests arrive they light the menorah, sing songs around the piano, eat latkes and doughnuts, and listen to the story of the Maccabees.  But Rachel's most excited for the dancing.  Once the special klezmer band arrives everyone's out on the dance floor.

This is a fun and entertaining holiday read. My son was hysterical when I read that "Bubbes and zaydes zoom in by plane."  My husband and I had to explain that the words are Yiddish for grandma and grandpa.  There's a glossary in the front of the book of some words used in the story that children may not know.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Picture Book Review: How Santa Got His Job

How Santa Got His Job
Written by:  Stephen Kresnky
Illustrated by:  S.D. Schindler
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1998

Have your kids every wondered how Santa started delivering toys to kids?  In this cute picture book they will find out.  He had many different jobs when he was younger that helped him prepare for his current job including a chimney cleaner, a postal worker, a cook at a diner, and a zoo keeper.  When none of the jobs worked out some elves helped him discover a use for all of his talents.  This was a cute holiday read.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Picture Book Review: Creepy Carrots

Creepy Carrots
Written by:  Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by:  Peter Brown
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012

Although Aaron Reynolds has written many children's books, this was our first read of his.  In this story Jasper Rabbit loves carrots so much that he keeps eating them from Crackenhopper Field, where the fattest and crispest carrots grow.  That is until Jasper thinks that they are following him.  Now he sees creepy carrots everywhere - in the bathroom, in the shed, under the bed, etc.  Are they real or is it just his imagination?!  The illustrations in this story are in shades of black, white, and gray with orange carrots which helps add to the "creepiness" of the book.  The kids seemed to enjoy this book more than I did.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.