Book picks similar to
The Perfect Present by Michael Hague


christmas
picture-books
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Tornado Slim and the Magic Cowboy Hat


Bryan Langdo - 2011
    . . until the day he meets the coyote. The coyote gives Slim his special hat and asks him to deliver a letter to the sheriff of Fire Gulch City. Slim has never been to Fire Gulch City, but he figures he can handle it. As Slim travels from town to town, disaster seems to follow. Pretty soon Slim learns that his new hat is NOT your average cowboy hat. Will Slim ever make it to Fire Gulch City? And what did the wily coyote put down in that letter, anyway? Watercolor illustrations add lively humor to this original tall tale.

Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story


Angela Shelf Medearis - 2000
    When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread or they will be turned out as beggars.

The Lion and the Bird


Marianne Dubuc - 2013
    With the departure of the bird's flock, the lion decides that it's up to him to care for the bird. He does and the two become fast friends. Nevertheless, the bird departs with his flock the following spring. What will become of Lion and what will become of their friendship?Marianne Dubuc received her degree in graphic design from the University of Quebec, Montreal. She has created many different kinds of books for readers of all ages. She is an internationally acclaimed illustrator whose work has been published by major publishers in fifteen countries.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!


Dr. Seuss - 1957
    No one quite knows the reason."Dr. Seuss's small-hearted Grinch ranks right up there with Scrooge when it comes to the crankiest, scowling holiday grumps of all time. For 53 years, the Grinch has lived in a cave on the side of a mountain, looming above the Whos in Whoville. The noisy holiday preparations and infernal singing of the happy little citizens below annoy him to no end. The Grinch decides this frivolous merriment must stop. His "wonderful, awful" idea is to don a Santa outfit, strap heavy antlers on his poor, quivering dog Max, construct a makeshift sleigh, head down to Whoville, and strip the chafingly cheerful Whos of their Yuletide glee once and for all.Looking quite out of place and very disturbing in his makeshift Santa get-up, the Grinch slithers down chimneys with empty bags and stealing the Whos' presents, their food, even the logs from their humble Who-fires. He takes the ramshackle sleigh to Mt. Crumpit to dump it and waits to hear the sobs of the Whos when they wake up and discover the trappings of Christmas have disappeared. Imagine the Whos' dismay when they discover the evil-doings of Grinch in his anti-Santa guise. But what is that sound? It's not sobbing, but singing! Children simultaneously adore and fear this triumphant, twisted Seussian testimonial to the undaunted cheerfulness of the Whos, the transcendent nature of joy, and of course, the growth potential of a heart that's two sizes too small. This holiday classic is perfect for reading aloud to your favorite little Whos.

Biscuit's Christmas


Alyssa Satin Capucilli - 2000
    Christmas is coming!The little girl knows just what needs to be done to get ready for Christmas -- choose a tree, back cookies, decorate the house -- but Biscuit is so excited he can't seem to sit still.Scratch and sniff the scents to find out what that silly puppy has his nose in now!

Blue Rider


Geraldo Valério - 2018
    That evening, the child begins to read and is immediately carried beyond the repetitive sameness of an urban skyscape into an untamed natural landscape. The child experiences a moment of true joy, and as if in response to that single blissful moment, people seem to come alive in all the other rooms of the apartment block. Thanks to the power of one book, an entire society is transformed.In creating this book, Geraldo Valério was inspired by the German Expressionist group known as Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), which formed in Munich in 1911 and included painters Franz Marc and Wassily Kandinsky. These artists sought to find the spiritual significance in art, with an emphasis on form and color. In turn, Valério has created a wordless book that speaks volumes about how art can transform us beyond the sometimes-dreary world of the everyday.

Winter Is Coming


Tony Johnston - 2014
    LaMarche quietly and sensitively portrays a child who’s comfortable spending hours alone, working on her own projects and observing—a young naturalist.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Witness the changing of a season through a watchful child’s eyes in this story of nature and discovery from award-winning author Tony Johnston and New York Times Best Illustrated artist Jim La Marche.Day after day, a girl goes to her favorite place in the woods and quietly watches from her tree house as the chipmunks, the doe, the rabbits prepare for the winter. As the temperature drops, sunset comes earlier and a new season begins. Silently she observes the world around her as it reveals its secrets. It takes time and patience to see the changes as, slowly but surely, winter comes.

Last Stop on the Reindeer Express


Maudie Powell-Tuck - 2017
    Without him, Christmas has lost its magic. But when Mia discovers a world within a mysterious post box, she is whisked away on a truly wonderful adventure over sparkling seas and streets of paper stars. But what will Mia find at the end of her journey?A magical tale of love and adventure, brought to life by peep-through pages, lift-the-flaps and breath-taking illustrations from Karl James Mountford (The Curious Case of the Missing Mammoth). Last Stop on the Reindeer Express is a wonderful way to help children articulate their feelings when spending Christmas away from a parent, grandparent or sibling.

A Very Fiona Christmas


Richard Cowdrey - 2019
    Snuggle up with your little ones and join Fiona and her adorable animal friends for a romp through the zoo. A Very Fiona Christmas teaches children about: The true meaning of the holidays by sharing the wonder and excitement of the season Friendship and thoughtfulness The impact of generosity and giving over receiving    This adorable picture book is great for readers ages 4-8, and includes: Art by New York Times bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey (Fiona the Hippo; Bad Dog, Marley) A beautiful holiday-themed cover that shimmers and shines Check out other inspirational children’s picture books in the Fiona the Hippo series:  Fiona Helps a Friend Fiona, It’s Bedtime Fiona the Hippo

Perfect the Pig


Susan Jeschke - 1970
    The adventures of Perfect the pig begin when his wish for a pair of wings is granted.

Geoffrey Groundhog Predicts the Weather


Bruce Koscielniak - 1995
    Everyone awaits his prediction each February 2, when he emerges from his burrow to look for his shadow. But Geoffrey’s fame has grown out of control—and so has the commotion surrounding his burrow! With television lights and cameras crowding him, he can’t even see the ground, much less his shadow. How will he make his spring prediction? How will anyone know if they should wax their surfboards or their skis?

Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest


Phoebe Wahl - 2021
    She's a midwife, an intrepid explorer, a hard worker and a kind friend.In this four-season volume, Little Witch Hazel rescues an orphaned egg, goes sailing on a raft, solves the mystery of a haunted stump and makes house calls to fellow forest dwellers. But when Little Witch Hazel needs help herself, will she get it in time?Little Witch Hazel is a beautiful ode to nature, friendship, wild things and the seasons that only Phoebe Wahl could create: an instant classic and a book that readers will pore over time and time again.

Miss Hunnicutt's Hat


Jeff Brumbeau - 2003
    So when Miss Hunnicutt steps out in her new hat, the stuffy townsfolk are scandalized. The chicken has to go! But plucky Miss Hunnicut stands up for her right to wear what she likes. And when the Queen's arrival prompts a surprising turn of events, the townspeople learn to celebrate the silly eccentricities that make life interesting.

Toys Meet Snow: Being the Wintertime Adventures of a Curious Stuffed Buffalo, a Sensitive Plush Stingray, and a Book-loving Rubber Ball


Emily Jenkins - 2015
    Acclaimed author Emily Jenkins and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Paul Zelinsky have created a book destined to become a classic. Children who have loved listening to the Toys trilogy, as well as those meeting the toys for the very first time, will be thrilled to see Lumphy, StingRay, and Plastic venture outdoors to play in the snow. Together the toys build a snowman, make snow angels, and, when day is done, head back inside their cozy house and wait for the return of the Little Girl.

Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole


Bob Raczka - 2014
    You know that Santa can fly a sleigh, squeeze down chimneys, and circle the globe in a night. But did you know that another of his talents is writing haiku? These twenty-five short poems—composed by Santa himself—give you a peek into life at the North Pole as the December days tick down to Christmas. See the hustle and bustle of the elves' workshop, feel the serenity of moonlight on fresh snow, and find out how Santa and Mrs. Claus keep busy as Santa's big night draws near.