A Stickler Christmas

PreS-Gr 1--In this follow-up to Stickler Loves the World, Stickler is back in a tender holiday tale about gift giving, friendship, low-stakes sacrifice, and celebration. Stickler, a bundle of sticks with a heart of gold, makes Christmas joyfully weird as it gives gifts--sticks, of course--to friends, including Rabbit, Snowman, Partridge, and Doug-the-Fir. Everyone is in good spirits, except for Doug, who is "not one bit jolly" about being the center of attention as a Christmas tree. Stickler finds a solution to help its friend by donning Doug's decorations and singing "O Stickler Tree," "Jingle Sticks," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Stick," and "Little Drummer Stick," to take the spotlight off of Doug. Smith's mixed-media illustrations begin with a daytime palette that grows in contrast as night arrives with a showstopping reveal of Stickler draped in twinkle lights, garlands of popcorn, and ornaments. Emphasized facial features (googly eyes and squiggly, animated mouths) give characters emotional range, while fluffy snowflakes and winter landscapes wrap the story in seasonal cozy. Dynamic design adds interest to each page as perspectives zoom in and out and text placement moves; a playful font shift to Old English adds pizazz to Stickler's singing of "O Stickler Tree, how lovely are my branches!" VERDICT Amid many holiday book options that retell the same stories, Stickler stands out as a fresh expression of Christmas spirit.--Nora Clancy

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To quote the strangest little fellow ever to star in its own Christmas picture book: “Joy.”