Children - Holidays & Festivals, Children - Fiction & Literature

The Christmas Magic

Name: The Christmas Magic
Author: Lauren Thompson
ISBN: 9780439774970

by Lauren Thompson, Jon J. Muth

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Overview

Best-selling author, Lauren Thompson, and Best-selling Caldecott Honor Book artist Jon J Muth join forces to present a story that is filled with the magic, wonder, and love of Christmas.

Far, far North, when the nights are longest 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 the Christmas joy and warmth throughout the world--as he always has -- and always will until the end of time.

Synopsis

Lauren Thompson is known for her uncanny ability to reach the hearts and minds of the youngest readers.

Jon J Muth's luminescent watercolor strike all the perfect chords in this warm, reassuring Christmas story.

The New York Times - David Barringer

It's a curious tale. The prose is as spartan as this new Santa, and the watercolor art is inviting, rich and warmly wintery, with the soft edges that artists love to impart to children's sugarplum dreams. The transformation of Santa from chubby C.E.O. to single guy with a barn is welcome and endearing.

About the Author, Lauren Thompson

Lauren Thompson is the author of several New York Times bestselling children's books, including the much-beloved Little Quack series and the award-winning picture book POLAR BEAR NIGHT. She is also the author of THE APPLE PIE THAT PAPA BAKED and BALLERINA DREAMS: A TRUE STORY. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, Robert, and their son, Owen. You can visit her website at www.laurenthompson.net.

Jon J Muth has written and illustrated many enchanting picture books, including his Caldecott Honor Book ZEN SHORTS and its sequel, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling picture book ZEN TIES. Other beloved titles from Jon include THE THREE QUESTIONS, GERSHON'S MONSTER by Eric Kimmel, and THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC by Lauren Thompson. Muth lives in upstate New York with his wife and five children.

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Editorials

Children's Literature - Maggie Chase

When Santa "feels a tingle in his whiskers," he knows that the Christmas magic will soon arrive. He must gather his reindeer and prepare them for the long trip ahead by brushing their coats and feeding them well. Who knew reindeer loved parsnips and berries? Santa must also ready his sleigh, trim his whiskers, darn his wool socks, and prepare the toys for all the children of the world. Nearly poetic in its telling, this is a quiet book sprinkled with rich, descriptive words like crinkling, creaking, thrum, and flaming, words that beg to be read aloud. Jon Muth's renditions of Santa are quaint and endearing, right down to Santa's bunny slippers, his round green eyes, and his wing-like moustache. Using watercolors and pastels (and a bit of Christmas magic), Muth has created gorgeous, double-page spreads that are richly imbued with wonder and delight. For families that love to collect Christmas keepsake books, this one will not disappoint. Reviewer: Maggie Chase

David Barringer

Publishers Weekly

A sedulous and quirky Santa, who sports bunny slippers and feels a “tingling in his whiskers” (his mustache sticks out like the hands of a clock at 10:10) as Christmas nears, prepares for the arrival of the holiday. He calls his reindeer home and tends to them, then shines his sled, carefully selects toys and climbs a stepladder to tie up his enormous pack. Muth's idyllic, wintry watercolors and pastels set the mood as “the night begins to thrum with magic, the kind of magic that makes reindeer fly.” Readers, like Santa, will feel the magic, too. Ages 4–7. (Sept.)

School Library Journal

K-Gr 4–This intimate look at Santa’s preparations for the big day starts with a tingling in his whiskers, which means that Christmas magic will soon arrive. Readers see the white-haired gent taking care of all the mundane chores: grooming the reindeer, darning his warm socks, shining the sleigh, and selecting and packing the gifts. When all is ready, the magic comes and Santa flies off to share it with the world. Muth’s haunting watercolor and pastel illustrations bring the simple story to magical life. Santa’s bunny slippers are a particularly charming touch. Best for one-on-one or small-group sharing, this gentle and lovely book is sheer enchantment.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

Kirkus Reviews

Here's a Santa Claus unlike any other. He lives with just a young reindeer companion and a cat. He has no elves as helpers but gathers the toys from a collection in his house and loads the sleigh himself. He wears a blue suit with a golden star at the end of his pointed hat. The spare text focuses on the Christmas magic drawing near, and the final spread with Santa's sled rocketing skyward seems to symbolize the essence of that magical power. Muth's muted watercolor illustrations are an excellent match for the lyrical text, with the soft grays, deep, midnight blues and the blue of Santa's suit matching its melancholy quality. For those who find the jolly traditional Santa overbearing, this quieter approach may be a soothing alternative. (Picture book. 4-7)