The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Thompson, Lauren

The Christmas Magic

40 pp. | Scholastic | September, 2009 | Trade ISBN 978-0-439-77497-0 $16.99

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Santa, casually dressed in short blue pants, a gray-and-white striped shirt, a brown coverall apron, and bunny slippers, begins preparations for the big event. He calls the reindeer, polishes his sled, and consults his book. Thompson's quiet text captures the story's breath-held hush of anticipation leading to "the Christmas magic." Muth's tranquil watercolor and pastel illustrations display the snowy, remote setting.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009