Little Santa by Jon Agee (Dial, 2013)

Did you ever wonder what Santa was like as a small child? It certainly couldn’t have been easy growing up in the uppermost reaches of the northern hemisphere. As author/illlustrator Jon Agee tells it,  “Life was tough in the North Pole. Every day there was … wood to be chopped, …snow to be shoveled, … a fire to be stoked.” In fact, all the Clauses were miserable! All, that is, except for Santa. He loved living in the snow and was not at all happy to hear that his parents had decided to move the family to a warmer climate.

When a blizzard sets the family plans awry, Santa quickly steps in. “I can shimmy up the chimney!” Before long, he’s off to find the help his family needs. A chance encounter with a “special” reindeer and a house full of elves enable Santa to save his family from snowy disaster and uncover the key that unlocks his now-famous future.

Agee’s wonderfully imagined story and delightful illustrations make Little Santa one of the best new holiday reads of the year.

Congratulations to Jennifer W. of Utah. Your copy of Little Santa is on its way! For a chance to win a copy for your class or a young reader you know, email readerkidz (at) readerkidz (dot) com. Please include “Little Santa” in the subject line and your name and address in the body of your email.

SOPHIE HARTLEY AND THE FACTS OF LIFE, by Stephanie Greene (Clarion Books 2013)

There comes a time in every young girl’s life … well … Sophie Hartley calls it “P-U-berty” and doesn’t want anything to do with it. What with curious friends and competitive fifth graders all vying to know what’s in the movie, however, Sophie has to call upon her considerable strength of character to grow into it her way.

“This wryly amusing, perceptive story … a solid addition to the consistently entertaining Sophie Hartley series.” Booklist review.

Thanks for entering! Winners have been chosen and books are on the way! For the chance to win a copy for a middle grade reader you know, email ReaderKidZ and put “Sophie Hartley and the Facts of Life” in the subject line. Please include your name and mailing address in the email.

SNOWFLAKES FALL By Patricia MacLachlan, Illustrated by Steven Kellogg (Random House, 2013)

In memory of the children who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, CT, December 2012

“After the Flowers are gone, snowflakes fall… no two the same,” during the first snow of winter.  Then a storm comes where “wailing winds may blow,” and “frantic icy snowflakes scratch the widow glass.” The next morning “the world shines” with snow blanketing everything. Children waste no time in playing and exploring.  The snow melts and the rains come and the flowers bloom again.  We can almost hear children’s voices and laughter in the colorful and vibrant illustrations by Steven Kellogg, a long time Newtown, CT resident. This is a readable, lyrical picture book perfect for the season. It doesn’t reference  the tragedy at all, but gently and abstractly remembers it with it’s small town setting,  the innocence and optimism of playing children, and fields of snow angels.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered! A winner has been randomly chosen and notified. Happy snow days to all of our readers.

We’re giving away one free copy! Email us at readerkidz (at) readerkidz (dot) com to enter and put “Snowflakes Fall” in the subject line. Please also include your name and mailing address.