Being on call means that anything could happen.Take half an hour out of your busy day, and join the midwife on call at Christmas.The best presents are sometimes the ones we least expect.This is a quick-read story, featuring characters from the Lessons of a Student Midwife series.

    But in a deep, swampy bayou of Louisiana, he's known as Papa No�l. In such a hot and humid place, there can be no sleds or reindeer, so Papa No�l rides the river in a boat that's pulled by eight alligators, with a snowy white one named Nicollette in the lead. On this particular Christmas Eve, it's so foggy on the river that even Nicollette's magical glowing-green eyes may not be enough to guide Papa No�l. The alligators are tired, grumpy and bruised from banging into cypress trees, and Papa is desperate to get all the gifts to the little children. Well, "quicker than a snake shimmies down the river," the clever Cajun people come up with a solution that saves the day. A colorfully inventive Christmas tale, Papa No�l is a lesson in fast thinking, as well as a witty introduction to a part of America that's rich in folklore and legend.

    Then, with no sound but there own thumping hearts, the children creep downstairs to see the glorious tree and to make a Christmas wish.Margaret Wise Brown's magical story captures all the wonder and mystery of a child's Christmas Eve. Nancy Edwards Calder's exquisite paintings highlight all the details that make this night so special.

    How can Santa's sleigh land when there's no snow on the ground? How can he possibly fit down all those skinny-minny little chimneys? And how come every mall has a different Santa? These are just some of the highly delicate issues handled in this classic First Time Book that's back in print with a cheery new cover for a new generation of Bear fans.  From the Hardcover edition.

    She’s decided to fly from Ireland to New York to surprise him and to get some answers. And if her plan works she’ll also get the scoop of her career…But as she steps out of her yellow taxi and the first snowflakes start to fall, it’s Holly who has the surprise of her life.What should be a dream come true is looking a little like a nightmare. But Holly is determined to get her happy ending!

    What could be better than one Bug of Christmas? Twelve of them! Bug fans of all ages will get in the spirit and join in the holiday fun with this pop-up extravaganza!

    Or not. Nick Bruel's first picture book about Bad Kitty since the uproarious Poor Puppy in 2007 is full of rhyming mayhem... and Christmas cheer.

    Finnegan (Dick Van Dyke) is no ordinary toymaker. His providential meeting with Maggie, a resentful girl who doesn't believe in the magic of Christmas, is the beginning of a series of miracles that will change her heart forever.

    Full color.

    Moore classic. On this ship of mischievous brigands—who have visions of treasure chests, not sugarplums, dancing in their heads—you wouldn’t expect a visit from nice St. Nick. Instead, here comes Sir Peggedy, with his peg leg and hook arm, cracking his whip and driving eight giant seahorses: Salty, Scurvy, Sinbad, Mollie, Cutthroat, Cross-Eyes, Roger, and Jolly. Philip Yates’ rollicking rhymes and Sebastià Serra’s sprightly, fun-filled pictures—featuring whimsically multicolored seahorses, stockings hung on the ship’s bowsprit with tar, child-friendly pirates, and a complete treasure map—turn this Christmas perennial into a jubilant celebration!

    Her parents were murdered on Christmas day, and she’s been running from the killers ever since. Now they’ve found her living next door to a sexy man in love with Christmas who has her thinking about naughty and nice. Zane Cutler never loses. That includes winning the prize for the best decorated street in the Christmas Light Competition. His new, pretty neighbor refuses to participate and jeopardizes the win, which he can’t allow. But when he learns her life is in jeopardy with no one else to help her, he does what he’s trained to do. Protect her. Amidst the backdrop of the holidays, Faith and Zane must learn to trust each other in order to stop the killers or this will be their last days of Christmas.

    This is one to pull out every year and savor.Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa's elves. So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the holiday, then she straps on her skis, and heads out into the snowy landscape. From a red bird to a polar bear to a reindeer, a menagerie of winter animals help Anja make her way to Santa. A generous trim-size, matte cover, and foiled title make this a special book for the holiday season.

    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)

    Clever Matti uses snow to disguise the gingerbread instruments while Gingerbread Baby leads the audience on a merry chase to the smartest hiding place ever--a giant Christmas tree.

    All of her friends are taking part--even little cousin Henry. But two big boys from school keep interrupting their rehearsals. When a giant snowball fight breaks out, Angelina is sure the dance will be ruined. Will she find a way to make the show a success?