Over the past few weeks I have published review posts on a variety of holiday and seasonal books for children. Working with children (and being a “big kid” myself) I truly enjoy reviewing children’s books.
While most books are for reading, there are plenty of other books that go a step further. They contain fun activities as well as reading. I’m all for anything that promotes a love a reading, so if pairing it with an entertaining activity is a fabulous idea.
Here are some books that are more than just books that I recently received to review. These books were sent to me to review by Source Books (SourceBooks.com).
Even though some of these would make great gifts, I think these are better enjoyed now before the holiday. They are also a great way to get children excited for Christmas.
Magic Paper Coloring Book: Merry Christmas!
Illustrated by Natascha Pitz for ages 4-8.
Color Santa, his elves, and cuddly critters in cozy Christmas scenes as you discover the secrets of this magic coloring book. The pages are made with special paper that reveals hidden pictures and patterns.
I love to color. Even as an adult I truly enjoy sitting down to color. I find it relaxing and therapeutic. Even my husband enjoys coloring, especially Christmas images. They bring back fond memories of his childhood.
This is a unique coloring book, however, it requires colored pencils, which sadly I don’t have at the moment. I THINK I might have some at work. I’ll have to dig through the craft cabinet and see.
When you color the pages patterns will appear. If you hold the paper a certain way the light catches the patterns so you can see what they look like. I tried to capture it in my photos (below), but it’s hard to see the patterns.
The images are cute. There’s even suggestions on the pages (image outlines) to tell you what color you can color it. Of course it’s totally up to your child.
I love how the pages tear out easily, so you can give one to your child each day leading up to Christmas, or you and tear them out to share with more than one child.
If you check the book out on Amazon there is a customer image of a page that was colored and you can see the patterns that emerge. The book also gets 4.8 stars on Amazon and is currently on sale.
Does Your Nose Know? Christmas
By Louise Anglicas for ages 3 and up.
Toddlers will love playing “guess that smell” with this scent-sational holiday scratch, sniff, and lift book!
Oh how I adore this book. Who doesn’t love a good old “scratch and sniff.” I used to love them as stickers when I was a kid. I even have “scratch and sniff” stickers at work for my “work kids.”
This is a great interactive book where a child is posed a question, asking what your “nose knows.” You (or your child) can gently scratch the center of the ornament then take a whiff. You are then suppose to identify what the smell is. What a guess is made simply lift the flap to reveal what it is.
I must say, this book smells SO GOOD. The scents really smell like the object they represent. I’m very impressed by just how perfect the scents are.
This is a thick board book, perfect for little hands. The flaps are easy to lift up too.
Ho-Ho-Ho-Larious Christmas Jokes
Written by Chris Cate for ages 4 to 8.
What’s better than Christmas treats and presents? Fun and festive Christmas jokes for the entire family!
There is a great assortment of holiday themed jokes found in the pages of this silly book. Some are a bit corny (definitely “dad jokes”) and others are laugh out loud funny. I can’t wait to share this book and these jokes with my “work kids.”
This book features bright green pages and colorful images that go along with the jokes.
Your family will be retelling these jokes again and again to family and friends.
Never Let a Unicorn Meet a Reindeer
Written by Diana Alber for children 4 to 7.
Even if Santa says “never let a unicorn meet a reindeer,” one little girl with a pet unicorn is determined to have a reindeer at her birthday party this year. But unicorns aren’t all rainbows and glitter, and reindeers aren’t all candy canes and Christmas magic…
This is such a funny book. It’s one of several books in the “Never Let a Unicorn…” book series by the same author.
The little girl wants one of Santa’s reindeers to be at her birthday party (it’s even a reindeer themed party). Since it’s summer time she figured it was okay to ask Santa. To her surprise Santa sent one of his reindeers. In his letter he tells her all about the reindeer, but with a warning “Don’t let her meet any unicorns!”
The little girl doesn’t understand why, but soon finds out.
Great illustrations, a funny story, this is a great book that can be enjoyed just not at Christmas time, but year round.
Check out the other books in the series. I haven’t read them but judging by the titles I bet they are just as much as a fun read as this book is.
The Pine Cone’s Secret: A Life Cycle Poem
Written by Hannah Barnaby and pictures by Cedric Abt for ages 4 to 8.
In this rhyming life cycle picture book, a pine cone becomes something new with each turn of the page, from a tower to a feast, from a blanket to a Christmas tree.
The first part of this book is a beautifully illustrated story about the life cycle of pinecones. Reading it made me see pine cones in a whole new light. I knew they were important, but this book makes you truly appreciate them.
The second half of this book goes into more detail about pine cones and pine trees. As an adult, I learned a few things myself.
You’ll even find a pine cone craft towards the end of the book.
I wish there were pine cones where I worked. I would love to do the craft with my “work kids” at well as a mini lesson on the fabulous pine cone.
Pop Out Christmas
Written by Duopress and illustrated by Anna and Daniel Clark for children 3 to 6.
This sturdy board book features great information on Christmas alongside pages with chunky press-out pieces that can be used to build decorations, from stockings on the fireplace mantle to presents under the tree, as well as Santa himself!
Made from thick, sturdy board, the pieces pop out easily from the pages and are simple to put together (no glue or scissors necessary!). The 19 build-ups are simple and intuitive to build. And the pieces can be put back snugly into the book to be played with again and again. All build-ups are safety rated for ages 4 years and up.
Cute! Cute! Cute! I can’t wait to take these out and set them up. I was going to use them as decorations at work. They are made to be played with but I plan on using them as both play things and decorations at work.
The images are adorable. I love that one side features easy to understand information about holiday things and then pop out 3D images you can put together on the other page.
I didn’t realize it at the time I took the photos that you can put the pieces back in the book (the same place you popped them out from) so that you can easily store this book away on your bookshelf or with your holiday decorations for safe keeping. I originally thought that once they were popped out you couldn’t put them back. I’m glad you can.
The cardboard used to make this is very thick and sturdy. With care I can see this set being enjoyed year after year.
You can look for these charming books where ever books are sold at places such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
What do you think about these wonderful children’s books? Are you going to pick any up for your child? Which one(s)? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Image by Ирина Кудрявцева from Pixabay
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.
