Jingle Bell Joy

August 28, 2023
Christmas comes to the woods as various animal families cheerfully partake in a bevy of favorite traditions in this tune-oriented outing. As Rossner weaves italicized words and phrases from classic Christmas carols into rhyming, sometimes forced couplets (“Let’s deck the halls with holly and cheer./ The jolliest season is finally here!”), rabbits hang evergreen garlands, deer frolic in moonlit snow playing with a string of sleigh bells, and mice nestle in their beds. Szmidt’s cozy digital vignettes capture a comfortable holiday mood, featuring a star-brightened night sky and softly glowing animal homes. Final spreads depicting an outdoor sing-along include rosy-cheeked critters in colorful knit scarves enjoying treats. The gathering serves as the jumping-off point for readers, who are invited to scan a QR code to access lyrics to the 16 carols teased in the text. Ages 4–7.

Christmas is a time for joyful, musical celebration. This charming homage to Christmas-preparation merriment is expressed through simple, four-line verses as various animal families, friends, and neighbors are depicted gaily getting ready for the holiday. Each verse seamlessly incorporates a boldfaced, italicized word or phrase drawn from the lyrics of one of 14 well-known Christmas songs, including "Deck the Halls" and "Joy to the World." These songs are listed in the back of the book, and readers may access the full lyrics to all the carols via QR codes. But while readers are encouraged to match the lyric snippets from the verses to the songs from which they're derived, there's actually no way for them to do so if they're unfamiliar with all or some of the actual carols, as no printed hints are offered in the body of the text. Still, the book is a lively, cheery exploration of the Christmas spirit, radiating from very colorful digital illustrations that portray a variety of animal species enjoying warm, cozy times with family and friends, decorating homes and trees, enlivening cold winters with yummy repasts and toasty clothing, and honoring inclusivity. Note these lovely lines, apt for all times and all seasons: "Joy to the World!The time has come/to celebrate each other, / no matter where you're from." A sweet, upbeat way to get kids jazzed for Christmas. (Picture book. 4-7)

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October 6, 2023

PreS-Gr 2-Rossner remixes 14 classic holiday carols from "Deck the Halls" to "Silent Night." The rhymes keep the pace, while references to old familiar tunes amuse readers in the know. "Let's deck the halls with holly and cheer. The jolliest season is finally here! Follow along in merry measure. Christmas has so much to treasure!" For those in need of a refresher, scanning a QR code at the end of the book opens the full lyrics of each song used in the mashup. Szmidt's digital illustrations of forest animals in a wintery landscape keep the vibe extra cozy. VERDICT Recommended, especially for carol connoisseurs.-Nora Clancy

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