This Is Christmas

Nature and kinship anchor this story, a dialogue between a curious young chipmunk and his mother. Asked by her child what Christmas is, the mother responds, "Christmas is many things, little one," and throws the question back to him: "What do you think it means?" Observing a badger decorating his burrow with berries, a family of beetles carrying grass-wrapped gifts on their backs, and geese singing carols overhead, the chipmunk asks, "Is that Christmas?" Each time, her reply is the same: "That's part of it." He finally finds his answer on Christmas morning, when he awakens to newly fallen snow and animals cavorting and singing as one. Arriving cardinals bring splashes of cheering scarlet to stylized art by Booth (Don't Tell!), offering an agreeable complement to this open-ended story of a joyful community celebrating the holiday. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 1—A young chipmunk witnesses other animals in the forest preparing for something called Christmas, but he is not sure what it is. He asks his mother if Christmas is decorating, or exchanging gifts, or maybe even singing carols. His mama replies that he will find out in due time, and the little chipmunk awakens on Christmas Day to a beautiful surprise. The wide-eyed and animated animal characters are as cute as can be and the backgrounds are a contrast of deep jewel tones and stark white. The text is as pristine as the digitally created illustrations, and even the youngest listeners will be riveted. Excitement builds as the little chipmunk discovers more and more elements of Christmas, and readers will look forward to seeing how they all come together in the end. VERDICT A feel-good, warm and cozy animal holiday tale without any commercial trappings.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE