Review and Give-Away: Christmas Magic and the Nutcracker and the Mouse King

I remember when the Christmas season started on the day after Thanksgiving, and people thought that was early.  Maybe it is because our son's birthday falls in November, but it seems everyone has already been asking what he would like for Christmas, and friends have begun to stock up on gifts for under their trees already too!  Is Halloween the new Thanksgiving?  (Image is of the Infant Bibliophile's first Christmas, at one month old).

If you find it hard to get into the Christmas spirit early, here are a couple of books to get you on your way.  (Read through to the end for a give-away!).

The Christmas Magic (Hardcover), by Lauren Thomspon (illustrated by Jon J. Muth). From publisher: "Far, far North, when the nights are longe

st and the stars shine brightest, Santa begins to prepare for his big night of giving. He gathers his reindeer, feeds them parsnips and berries, and polishes his bells and his sled. Then lovingly, he chooses toys for every child in the world. For Santa loves them all, and he knows what each child at heart wants most. Then, with the thrum of magic that makes reindeers fly, he spreads ... Christmas joy and warmth throughout the world ..." Santa may be slightly trimmed down, and wearing bunny slippers, but his long white beard and big black boots should satisfy the most traditional Santa-fans among us. As Santa wanders around the house preparing for Christmas, he's like a lovable combination of a traditional, jolly Santa and everybody's favorite grandpa. A lovely book about the magic of Christmas.

Excerpt:

"Far, far north, where the reindeer are, there is a snug little house with a bright red door. And in that house lives Santa Claus. / Every year, just when the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest, Santa feels a tingling in his whiskers. / Then he knows that the Christmas magic will soon be here."

Bookworm's interest at 24 months: I thought it was beyond his age level, but he sat rapt through the entire book, and I think we'll get a lot of use out of this one as the holidays draw near.

Parent's Peeve: Where is Mrs. Claus?

Source: Review copy from publisher

Youtube trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI6XkJdI5lo

The Nutcracker And The Mouse King (Hardcover), by E. T. A. Hoffmann (Illustrated by Gail de Marcken). Publisher's summary: "On Christmas Eve, Godfather Drosselmeier has arrived with gifts of marvel and enchantment for his young godchildren. Goddaughter Marie falls in love a bewitching nutcracker doll and claims him as her own. Yet when the clock strikes midnight, something terribly amazing happens to Godfather’s handcrafted toys…they come alive. Marie is swept off her feet on an incredible journey with the Nutcracker in this astonishing classic story by E.T.A. Hoffman. Critically acclaimed artist Gail de Marcken’s stunning illustrations bring this spellbinding tale to life." Aimed at children 4-8, this is a large, beautifully detailed version of the classic tale. Although I often read to the Infant Bibliophile outside of his age level, this one really does have a LOT of text per page, so the really youngest set probably wouldn't sit through it. On the other hand, it is so beautifully illustrated that I wouldn't hesitate to gift this to an older child or adult with a particular fondness for Christmas.

Excerpt:

"The room has become a Christmas wonderland. The Christmas tree was giant and covered with dancing lights, silver and gold apples, sugar almonds, and all sorts of treats. Around the bottom of the tree were gifts for both Marie and Fritz. From a beautiful new doll in a pink silk dress to a cavalry of toy soldiers on toy horses, the children gazed in delight."

Bookworm's interest at 24 months: He is way too young for the text, but as I sat down to type this review, it occurred to me that the detail-rich illustrations would be great for playing I-Spy, which he loves.

Parent's Peeve: More of an admission. It has been a crazy month around here, and I haven't read this book entirely through yet. I am saving it. One of these nights, when the house is quiet, I plan to sit down with a nice hot cup of apple cider, put my feet up, and get into the Christmas spirit with this one.

Source: Review copy from publisher

Give-Away

Two lucky readers will receive BOTH the Christmas Magic AND the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Wow!

How to Enter:

1. Comment on this post for one entry.

2. Follow or subscribe to Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile and leave a comment letting us know.

3. Blog about this give-away and leave a comment letting us know.

4. Tweet with a link to the give-away and leave a comment letting us know.

Maximum number of entries: 4 per person.  This book promotion is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail).  Please make sure that I have a way to contact you if your email address is not available in your profile.  Deadline: November 23, 2009, midnight, Mountain Time.

Disclosure: Thank you to Scholastic Books for sending us a copy of each of these books in order to write this review.  Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post to Amazon.com will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with Amazon.com.