The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittney Ryan

I picked up this book because I saw it was part of the Julie Andrews Collection, and it completely lives up to the elegance and refinement you'd expect of Julie Andrews.

A curse has been placed on The Land of Enchantment by the evil Herrikan, and now no one can enter or leave, not the spirits of the dead, or Santa Claus to make his yearly visits. But his daughter Holly has discovered that she has a part to play in removing the curse, and finds a way to a Victorian-esk New York where she spreads the joy and goodness you'd expect from a relative of Santa. She ultimately confronts Herrikhan and removes the curse.

With graceful and detailed illustrations to accompany the lyrical text, this is one of the best balances of image and word that I've come across. It feels like it's been around for generations, while at the same time being a refreshingly original Christmas story. The climax was a bit too cliche for my liking, but that did add to the sense of timelessness.

This is my favorite Christmas story, children would love hearing it read aloud.

[click here to see if it's available]

Also simplified into a picture book, [Holly Claus: the Christmas Princess] (still nice, but not nearly as good as the full version)

by Scott

The Fledging of Az Gabrielson by Jay Amory

Az is considered a freak by most of those who know him, because he has no wings. In a futuristic setting, where everyone lives in cities above the clouds, this is notable and it means that Az is the perfect candidate for a special job the government has in mind. Az is sent to the surface, where nothing is supposed to have survived, and discovers an entire civilization essentially working as slaves for the Airborn. Az has some very important decisions to make, as do those he encounters on the surface.

A fast paced adventure with enjoyable characters and a sprinkling of morality mixed in makes this the perfect book for those that have worked through the more popular series such as Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

[click here to see if it's available]

by Scott

Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley

There is something the matter with your voice.
"Ga-runch! Ga-runch!" said Snake. "I've got a frog in my throat!" she whispered.
Lizard said, "Oh, I know how to fix that," and he gave Snake a mighty slap on her back.
The frog shot out of Snake s mouth. It landed in the grass and, quick as a blink, it hopped away. "My supper!" cried Snake. "That was my supper!"

This book is a collection of short stories, which chronicle the adventures of two unlikely friends, Snake and Lizard, who become inseparable after a chance meeting. Snake tends to be level-headed and urbane, while lizard is boisterous and more than a little impetuous, the combination is golden. Simple, but vivacious full-color drawings interspersed throughout the book embellish these charming little vignettes of desert life.

I loved these stories thru and thru. Snake and Lizard's friendship often has hilarious consequences and on several occasions I found myself laughing out loud. In one story Snake and Lizard decide to become "helpers," unfortunately as lizard points out "Helpers give help, they don't take it." So of course, the pair become horribly lost, decline help and fall in a stream, afterward they agree they can accept help, "but only when we really need it."

Give this book to animal lovers who have just graduated from the frog and toad books grades 2 thru 4.

[click here to see if it's available]

by Patrick