Christmas and Hanukah (spelling) are fast approaching on December 25th. Kwanzaa starts the next day on December 26th. They might be right around the corner – literally – but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time to enjoy some “funtastic” holiday books from Simon and Schuster.
Books not only bring families together, but reading together is a great way to foster a child’s life long love of reading. It saddens me that many children I encounter do not like to read. They are quick to tell you about their favorite video games or desire to make dance videos for Tik Tok, but they have zero interest in reading a book. Growing up I couldn’t read enough books. I loved to read. Reading took me on so many wonderful “journeys,” as well as opened my eyes up to the great big world around us.
Here are some new books from Simon and Schuster. I’m pretty sure most of these books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, so there is time to purchase and enjoy them before the holidays.
Even if you are not in the market for holiday books, check these books out anyway because not all of them are holiday related.
SNOW DAY
Written by Margaret McNamara and illustrated by Mike Gordon.
An unexpected snow day gives the first graders of Robin Hill School a day to relax and have some fun in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read story, now in hardcover for the first time.
I love these ready-to-read books. I have reviewed a lot of them over the years. They are perfect for young readers. The words are easy to read and understand, and the fun illustrations make children want to read the story.
Many kids will be able to relate to this book. There is nothing better than a snow day to be with your friends, do fun snow related things, and enjoy being a kid.
ANGELINA ICE SKATES
Written by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig.
The classic bestselling Angelina Ballerina picture book about a special wintry performance is back in a beautiful, refreshed hardcover edition.
You can’t tell from my photo, but there is some silver foil-like embellishments on the cover that make it look sparkly, like snow.
Angelina and her best friends want to perform and ice dance with her friends, but nothing seems to be going right. They’re especially having issues with school bullies Spike and Sammy. Will Angelina and her friends finally be able to put on the performance they were hoping for?
SNOW IS…
Written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez.
From award-winning author Laura Gehl, a sparkling, lyrical picture book about the magic of an early snow.
This is a wonderful book for any child who has spent time playing in the snow, from catching snowflakes on their tongue to knowing that mom and dad will have a warm meal waiting for you when you go inside.
The text is simple, with a sentence on each page.
This book made me think back to when I was a child enjoying the day out in the snow.
HEY! LOOK AT YOU!
Written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton.
Hey! Look At You! is a play book with mirrors galore from the one and only Sandra Boynton.
This is such a fun book. Each page has a mirror shaped like a different animal, like a cow and a duck. The text wants you to make the sound of each animal while looking in the mirror.
This is a great book for little ones. They don’t even need to read. They can still recognize the shapes and look at themselves in the mirror while recreating their sounds. Plus little kids enjoy seeing themselves in mirrors.
It’s not a real mirror (that could be dangerous), but rather a different material that mimics a real mirror.
OH, HALLOWEEN TREE
Written by Dori Elys and illstrated by Katya Longhi.
A twist on the popular holiday song, this spooky rhyming board book gives “O, Christmas Tree” some Halloween flair.
This is such a creative book. Not only are the illustrations darling, I love how the author turned the song “O, Christmas Tree” into a song/book that can be enjoyed at Halloween and Christmas time. I found myself almost singing the text as I was reading it. I was reading it with the song in mind.
CHICKA CHICKA HO HO HO
Written by William Boniface and illustrated by Julien Chung.
In a much-anticipated new companion to the beloved and bestselling classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, the rollicking alphabet chant gets a holiday twist.
If your child loves the classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book, they will love this holiday version.
This is a fun book for letter recognition (as well as reading). I love how the letters get all jumbled up trying to decorate the holiday tree.
KWANZAA
Written by Hannah Eliot and illustrated by Andrea Pippins.
Learn all about the traditions of Kwanzaa in this board book from the Celebrate the World series, which highlights special occasions and holidays across the globe.
I’ll be honest. I don’t know much about Kwanzaa. This delightful book makes understanding this holiday in an easy to understand way. The accompanying illustrations also help lend themselves to a better understanding and appreciation for this holiday.
WILLOW THE WHITE HOUSE CAT
Written by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and illustrated by Kate Berube.
A New York Times bestseller! “This sweet, cat’s-eye view of the White House” (Kirkus Reviews) is “a quietly lovely portrait of a landmark” (Publishers Weekly) as it tells the story of how Willow the White House Cat made her way from a farm in Pennsylvania to her new home and made new friends along the way, written by First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.
I’m a cat lover. We have eight (yes, 8) cats. I didn’t even know that Dr. Biden wrote a children’s book, let alone one about a cat at the White House.
This book has NOTHING to do about politics. This is simply a beautiful book about a cat named Willow who came to live at the White House with the Biden family and all the people who work at the White House who help take care of Willow. This book is about Willow and how wonderful her life is living in the White House.
SANTA MOUSE A CHRISTMAS GIFT COLLECTION (BOXED SET)
Written by Michael Brown and Illustrated by Elfrieda De Witt.
Join Santa’s littlest helper, the bestselling, classic Christmas character Santa Mouse, in these three hardcover holiday picture books now available together in a deluxe boxed set.
I love Santa Mouse. I have read several Santa Mouse books over the years. Santa Mouse is SO CUTE! Not only that, but the stories are delightful.
This boxed set comes with three hardcover books – Santa Mouse Finds a Furry Friend, Santa Mouse, Where are you? and the original Santa Mouse.
If your child/grandchild is a fan of this new holiday classic character (Santa Mouse), then this boxed set would make the perfect gift.
SANTA MOUSE PLAYS REINDEER GAMES
Written by Michael Brown and illustrated by Robert McPhillips.
Santa Mouse, Santa’s littlest helper, prepares the reindeer for their big Christmas Eve flight in this charming 8×8 holiday storybook with stickers.
As I mentioned before, I am a fan of Santa Mouse. I am glad that I got to read the latest book in the franchise. It’s an adorable story (love the furry little reindeer!).
The fact that this book comes with Santa Mouse holiday stickers is also great for kids. I work with kids and I know that kids LOVE stickers. The stickers are really cute too.
COWS AND HOLLY
Written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton.
Oh joy! Cows and Holly is a sparkling new Sandra Boynton Christmas album for everyone everywhere—;plus illustrated songbook! Zooey Deschanel, Lyle Lovett, Yo-Yo Ma, Patti LuPone, Raúl Esparza, Patrick Warburton, Fountains of Wayne’s Chris Collingwood, Linda Eder, Stuart Duncan, Viktor Krauss, and many others perform a wild variety of new new new Christmas songs, all with a Christmas classics feel to them. (Plus “Deck the Halls” with a barnyard twist…) Ranging from 60s surf rock to a cappella motet to Celtic jig to 50s Rat Pack crooner to Doo-wop to Broadway to folk/country and beyond, Cows and Holly takes you on a wild and wonderful ride through the many moods of Christmas, through the many styles and eras of its music.
This is not just a book for children – this is a book the whole family can enjoy.
This book comes with a music CD so you can listen to all this wonderful holiday music with your family as you read the book. Of course you can listen to it any time.
I don’t have a CD player in my car (or at home) but I was able to listen to it in my husband’s car.
This is a “look and listen” book, meaning you can look at the illustrations and read along as you listen to the all-star line up sing.
Fun! Fun! Fun!
These are just a few books from Simon and Schuster available now where ever books are sold.
I do believe most of these (if not all) are found on Amazon, many on Prime too so you can get them in 1-2 days.
I’ll be publishing a review of more new books from Simon and Schuster. Be on the look out for that post, coming soon .
To learn more about Simon and Schuster, visit them online at SimonandSchuster.com. You can also check them out on social media to keep up-to-date on news and new releases.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
