Christmas

Christmas in Camelot (Magic Tree House, No. 29)

A cup, a compass, a key: the magic tree house has brought siblings Annie and Jack to Camelot, where they embark on a mysterious mission to find these enigmatic gifts. In this special hardcover addition to the bestselling Magic Tree House series, the young adventurers must travel to the Otherworld, an "ancient, enchanted land beyond the edge of the Earth, the place where all magic began" to save Camelot from dark wizard Mordred's evil spell. If they fail, Camelot will be forgotten forever. Fans of the beloved, highly readable series by Mary Pope Osborne will rise to the challenge of this longer, more complex companion to her other titles, which include Earthquake in the Early Morning and Twister on Tuesday. As in every story in the sequence, Jack and Annie bravely plunge into their quest, learning about a culture and time very far removed from their own, and prove once again that children can make a difference. (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

The Magic Tree House series has become a staple for inspiring kids to read. Christmas in Camelot is a very special Magic Tree House book. Here, author Mary Pope Osborne uses the literary skills for which she’s known to create a longer, more in-depth story featuring the characters kids have come to love. The result is magical: a fast-paced but detailed, easy-to-read story. Jack and Annie go on a quest to save Camelot, a quest that will prove to a beleaguered King Arthur that children and imagination really can make a difference.

The Polar Express

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa

One couldn't select a more delightful and exciting premise for a children's book than the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole. And one couldn't ask for a more talented artist and writer to tell the story than Chris Van Allsburg. Allsburg, a sculptor who entered the genre nonchalantly when he created a children's book as a diversion from his sculpting, won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for this book, one of several award winners he's produced. The Polar Express rings with vitality and wonder.

The Polar Express book and CD gift set is a charming collage of enchanting sounds, lyrical words, and climatic storytelling. Read by Academy Award-winning actor William Hurt, author Chris Van Allsburg's children's classic--a winner of the Caldecott Medal--is accompanied by a handsome melody and the sweet sounds of sleigh bells, train whistles, and spirited cheers from hundreds of Santa's elves. The composition stirs the listener's imagination, bringing to life the magic of Christmas. Coupled with a hardcover book (and a special gift from Santa's sleigh), listeners can read along and gaze at luminescent drawings page after page. The Polar Express touches the imagination of those "who truly believe." (Running time: 11 minutes, one cassette) --Cate Bick

Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (p.s. so does May.) (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

It’s holiday time, and Room One is doing lots of fun things to celebrate.
Like making elf costumes! And singing joyful songs! Only, how can Junie B. enjoy the festivities when Tattletale May keeps ruining her holiday glee? And here is the worst part of all! When everyone picks names for Secret Santa, Junie B. gets stuck with Tattletale you-know-who! It’s enough to fizzle your holiday spirit! Hmm . . . or is it? Maybe, just maybe, a Secret Santa gift is the perfect opportunity to give May exactly what she deserves.

Holly The Christmas Fairy (Rainbow Magic)

There's trouble in Fairyland again! Jack Frost is up to his old tricks. This time, he has stolen Santa's sleigh. There were three special gifts onboard. Without them, Christmas could be ruined!

Will this holly jolly holiday be changed forever? Or can Rachel and Kirsty save the day, with a little help from Holly the Christmas Fairy?

Find the three glittering gifts in this Rainbow Magic Special Edition and help save the Christmas magic!

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies

Welcome to the hilariously hypothetical world of Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond. Everything has an impact on everything else in this world, so if you take a mouse to the movies, don't be surprised if you find yourself being run ragged by the exuberant little fellow's increasingly grand appetites. When we first met him in Numeroff and Bond's tremendously popular If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, he had more energy than a 2-year-old on lollipops. Now, in the excitement of the Christmas season, he's unstoppable. Going from movie theater to Christmas tree lot to the neighbor's yard for snowmouse-building, he's a very demanding mouse indeed--in only the best way, of course.

The freshness of the If You Give a... series is diminished only slightly as the sequels pile up. The dazed and earnest look on the face of the mouse's long-suffering friend makes a marvelous foil for the mouse's high-spirited expressions. Adult readers will chuckle as they recognize the ephemeral passions of a child, while children will simply love the unfolding chain of events. A perfect Christmas read-aloud for the impetuous youngster on your list. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

Mouse is back for the holidays! A first sequel to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, starring Mouse!

The famous little mouse from the children's classic If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is back in another irresistible tale full of holiday antics. This time, if you take him to the movies, he'll ask you for some popcorn. If you give him the popcorn, he'll want to string it all together. Then he'll want to hang it on a Christmas tree.

In the fourth in this mega–selling series, Felicia Bond and Laura Numeroff have created another high–energy story featuring the adorable and demanding mouse that has delighted millions of readers.

Ages 10+

Judy Moody's Double Rare Way-Not-Boring Book of Fun Stuff to Do (Judy Moody)

Visit www.judymoody.com for lots of way-not-boring stuff!

Dive right in and join the T.P. (Take out your Pencil) Club for hours of Judy Moody fun! Get the low-down on Screamin' Mimi's ice cream, knock yourself out learning knock-knock jokes, try out your Judy Moody trivia with quizzes and crosswords, plan a Judy Moody-themed birthday party, make your own Me collage, cootie catcher, custom-designed T-shirt, and much, MUCH more! Whether the reader has just met Judy Moody or is already her biggest fan, this hands-on, fun-filled activity book — complete with twenty-four stickers inside — absolutely and positively rates a "rare squared."

Great Joy

In her first picture book, America’s beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo
reunites with Bagram Ibatoulline to offer readers an unforgettable holiday gift.

It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on
the street corner outside Frances’s apartment. Frances can see them from
her window and, sometimes, when it’s quiet, she can hear their music. In fact, Frances can’t stop thinking about them, especially after she sees the man and his monkey sleeping outside on the cold street at midnight. When the day of the Christmas pageant arrives, and it’s Frances’s turn to
speak, everyone waits silently. But all Frances can think about is the organ grinder’s sad eyes — until, just in time, she finds the perfect words to
share. Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo pairs once again with acclaimed
artist Bagram Ibatoulline as she presents a timeless story of compassion
and joy.

'tis The Season (Main Street)

Christmas is coming to Camden Falls, and Flora and Ruby don't know how to feel about it; it's their first Christmas without their parents, and the memories are both happy and sad. Luckily, Flora and Ruby are surrounded by people who care about them -- from their grandmother Min to their friends Olivia and Nikki, who are dealing with challenges of their own. There's also an unexpected visitor: Flora and Ruby's aunt, whose presence promises to shake things up. It's going to be a Christmas that nobody ever forgets....

Judy Moody & Stink: The Holly Joliday

Seven million Judy Moody books have sold worldwide — and now comes a COLORful new adventure in which Judy shares the bill with Stink.

Judy Moody is making a list and checking it twice, but all her brother, Stink, wants this year is snow. It hasn’t snowed on Christmas in Virginia in more than a hundred years, however, so what are the chances that that will change? Enter the new mailman, Mr. Jack Frost, who not only looks like a jolly old elf but also seems to know a lot about weather patterns, has a fondness for the cold, and works looooooong hours during the holiday season. Plus it’s the best time of the year, when strange packages and lots of surprises are swirling around, so isn’t it possible that Stink might get his wish? Fans who curl up with this new Moody comedy can be sure that their bellies will shake like a bowlful of jelly.

Christmas Catastrophe (Geronimo Stilton)

Geronimo Stilton, adventuremouse? Not me! But surely a little skiing couldn't hurt a rodent, right? Wrong. Moldy mozzarella! When my ski trip landed me in the hospital, I was sure it was going to be the worst Christmas ever! But my family and friends had something else in mind. . . .