. . until a sound awakens Olaf. Read along as Olaf has the adventure of a lifetime with a mysterious stranger in red. This beautifully illustrated 32-page paper-over-board picture book comes with a read-along CD featuring audio narration by Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf! Fans of all generations will delight in Olaf's innocent and humorous account of "The Night Before Christmas."

    She lives in penthouse 25C at the Bing Cherry Hotel and is "so "curioso! After all, Auntie Claus serves Christmas cookies all year long and her tree is always the best-decorated in the city. And then there's her annual "business trip," right around the holidays. This year Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of Auntie Claus's mysterious ways. Put on your mittens and bundle up for an adventure beyond your wildest dreams. "Ho, ho, ho!"

    Millions of copies of this award-winning story have sold since its first publication in 1947, delighting readers of all ages. A facsimile edition of the book is now faithfully re-created, offering a new generation--and fans of the original--the beauty of the classic 1940s design. Details of how the book came to be written, and made into a beloved film, are included in a brief historical note.

    This touching tale helps kids see that even if they're different, God has a unique plan for their lives.

    May, a copywriter working at Chicago's Montgomery Ward & Co., wrote a holiday story at the request of his employer. Almost two and a half million copies of the little tale about a reindeer with a shiny red nose were given away to all the children who visited Montgomery Ward stores that year. The rest is history. Over seventy years later, the beloved classic is once again available in a hardcover faithful facsimile of the 1939 Rudolph, with original text and original Denver Gillen illustrations.

    e. cummings is given sparkling treatment from the talented author-illustrator Chris Raschka. We couldn't be happier that Cumming's "little tree" poem is back in the spotlight for the holidays. With glorious wonder, Raschka uses the poem's tribute to a small Christmas tree as a cause for colorful celebration. Rewriting the story of a little tree destined for stardom, Raschka presents a flowing tale of true holiday spirit. A little tree, in the green forest, finds comfort in his home. But he often dreams if he'll find his own family, and his own house to brighten as a Christmas tree. When a truck arrives to take him away, the tree knows he is on his way. Standing on a streetcorner in a busy little city, a lively family look for that perfect tree. And when they see little tree their search is over. They take him home and adorn him with ribbons and lights. "The little tree lifted up his little branches, like little arms, to show off all the little ornaments..." He had finally found his place in the world.This touching story is brilliantly matched with stunning watercolor illustrations in geometric shapes. While in some hands the use of geometric shapes would be harsh, Raschka's illustrations shine. Warm emotion and jubilant cheer bounce off the pages. Simple shapes allows readers to pick up the cozy sensibilities of a wash of color, and the play of forms. Enriched by the added beauty of the color and design. e. e. cummings's little poem never sounded or looked so stunning. (Amy Barkat)

    Peanuts loves Christmas - but he loves it even more when he has a friend to share it with. When Cousin Squirrel invites him to spend the holidays together, Mr. Peanuts is in for a whirlwind of winter fun! Mr. Peanuts and Cousin Squirrel are the perfect holiday addition to every household. Featuring photographs of wild squirrels in handcrafted homemade miniature settings, this striking book is sure to surprise and delight young and old alike.

    Clever rebuses and jaunty illustrations make The Jacket I Wear in the Snow especially fun for prereaders and new readers.

    As a young Japanese boy recovers from a bad chill, his mother busily folds origami paper into delicate silver cranes in preparation for the boy's very first Christmas.

    But when his friends see him and immediately launch into their Christmas lists, he doesn't know what to do . . . until he runs into Santa himself.

    With style and warmth, debut author Patricia Toht and Jarvis, the author-illustrator of Alan's Big, Scary Teeth, evoke all the rituals of decorating the tree -- digging out boxes jam-packed with ornaments and tree trimmings, stringing tinsel, and, at long last, turning on those twinkling lights. Joyously drawn and rhythmically written, this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday season is as merry as the tradition it depicts.

    But why did Santa call? Now available in a new hardcover edition, this truly Joyce-ian crusade features villains and swashbuckling adventure, concluding with a most spectacular and touching Christmas celebration.A holiday extravaganza like no other, by the creator of Rolie Polie Olie, Snowie Rolie, Sleepy Time Olie, Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures wirh the Family Lazardo, and George Shrinks.

    The pictures have "the hazy softness of air in snow." A little boy rushes out into the wintry day to build a snowman, which comes alive in his dreams that night. The boy invites him home and in return is taken on a flight high above the countryside.

    Elizabeth Brown doesn't like to play with dolls and she doesn't like to skate. What she does like to do is read books. And now that she's grown up, her collection has gotten so big all the shelves are collapsing. Her front door has disappeared entirely. What in the world will she do? The reclusive Elizabeth Brown surprises everyone wit her splendid solution. In charming verse and elegant watercolors Sarah Stewart and David Small celebrate one of America's grandest institutions. The Library is a 1995 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and Outstanding Book of the Year.

    Pictorial cover with Rudolph lighting the way for the sleigh with his wonderful nose.