Christmas Picture Book Review: Small Camel Follows the Star by Rachel W. N. Brown

Join small camel as he journeys with Balthazar, Melchior, and Gaspar, following a star to deliver special packages to a newborn king.

Small Camel Follows the Star by Rachel W. N. Brown tells the story of the Three Wise Men visiting the Holy Family from a young camel's perspective. A calf of one of Balthazar's camels, Small Camel and his mother watch as Balthazar studies long scrolls filled with important lines and words. On the night a bright star appears, Balthazar announces they must prepare for a journey. Unsure of why he is being chosen to join the caravan, Small Camel endures an arduous journey while they add two more packages to his back. Will he be happy when they arrive?

Small Camel Follows the Star is a heartwarming way to share a story we know well. Everything about this story is precious: Small Camel's curiosity about Balthazar and their journey, his overhearing what the three men say, his wondering about what he is carrying, and the book's touching ending. With beautiful artwork by Guiliano Ferri, Small Camel Follows the Star is certain to be a wonderful and unique way to share a well-known Christmas story.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B098Z44XY7
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Albert Whitman & Company
• Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2007
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 12.2 MB
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled 
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled 
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0807590362
• Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled 
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years

I borrowed this book from the local library. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. This book appears to only be available in digital format for sale.

Christmas Picture Book Review: Kevin's Christmas by Liesbet Slegers

 

Toddlers will love sitting down with you to read Kevin's Christmas by Liesbet Slegers.

It's Christmas time. Kevin and his family get ready. They put up a tree, set the nativity at the base of their tree, send out greeting cards, and buy food for the Christmas meal. How exciting!

I love Slegers' books. She really knows how to get in touch with a child's heart and mind. In this adorable new release in her Kevin and Katie series, young Kevin gets involved in Christmas preparations for the first time. The story speaks to toddlers using words they will be familiar with and has Kevin acting in ways similar to this age group. Young readers will feel his excitement and joy in sharing this holiday with his family.

The artwork Slegers creates for this one is wonderful. It's simple, yet uses great colors that will captivate young readers. I also like the multicultural aspect of the book. When Cousin Sally arrives we see she is African American. It's a subtle message, but one that makes you appreciates family diversity, and can help show kids that differences are great.

This is a sweet story that would make a perfect gift.

• Publisher: Clavis Publishing
• ISBN-10: 1605371041
• ISBN-13: 978-1605371047
• SRP:  $12.95

I received a FREE copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions. I did not receive monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

Tiger Tales Christmas Books for Kids

When my girls were younger, I loved receiving our shipment of Tiger Tales books each season. Here are some of their Christmas titles:

 

Celebrate the joy of Christmas and give thanks for this special time of year with this beautiful collection of prayers. With delightful illustrations by Sanja Rescek and simple rhyming text, this will become a holiday favorite to treasure.

    

Little Pip is excited for Christmas. "I think it's Christmas Day!" he says to Daddy Grizzle one morning. But Daddy Grizzle tells him it's not Christmas yet. Poor Little Pip wonders how he'll ever make it. Will Daddy Grizzle be able to keep his cub busy until the big day?   

 

Little Hedgehog and his friends are so excited to spend Christmas together. They pick out a tree and decorate it, then happily go to bed. But the next morning, everyone is grumpy! “You stepped on my paws!” cries Fox. “I can’t find my socks!” moans Rabbit. “Who was snoring all night long?” grumbles a tired Badger.  And someone even ate one of the cookies that had been hung on the tree! Is their Christmas ruined?

  

Big Mouse and Little Mouse are busy preparing their home for Christmas. Little Mouse realizes they’re missing the holly, so he sets out to find some. Suddenly, soft white flakes fall from the sky, and Little Mouse thinks the sky is coming apart! Lively text and inviting illustrations make this book the perfect way to experience the magic of Christmas.

To find these and other Tiger Tales books, please visit their website at www.tigertalesbooks.com