How to Decorate a Christmas Tree

August 28, 2023
A youthful narrator supplies instructions on Christmas tree–trimming, offering anecdotal descriptions of the stories behind the ornaments. A classic ball ornament inscribed with the protagonist’s name gets hung first, but the pale-skinned speaker reassures that “anything can be an ornament,” before presenting objects that include a pinecone from a memorable camping trip and a maneki-neko from an aunt in Japan. Throughout, the child’s simple speech has a friendly intimacy that engages (presenting handmade decorations, the speaker prompts, “Bet you can’t guess what they’re made of!”). Final baubles bring further emotion to the enterprise as a parol that Lola Reyna brought from the Philippines becomes a source of remembrance, and another name-inscribed bulb sweetly reveals the subject of the speaker’s address. Cut paper, textiles, and string lend the creative team’s project a homespun three-dimensionality that pairs gently with the cozy domesticity of this affectionate family story. Ages 4–8.

November 1, 2023
Della Rose Santiago (as her name appears on her "first-ever ornament") narrates this decoration play-by-play: "Clean up your toys so the tree has a nice place to stand." After helping with the lights, Della tells the story of each ornament as she hangs it on the tree. A pinecone from camping, a maneki-neko from her aunt in Japan, a parol ("the oldest ornament...It belonged to Lola Reyna" from the Philippines). Toward the end, Della and the cozy collage illustrations reveal the "you" she's been speaking to: "This year, we have a new ornament" with a new sibling's name on it. A warm celebration of family history and holiday tradition. Kitty Flynn

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

April 8, 2024
Intricately worked page borders and shadowy, woodblock-print-like artwork by Eckwall (Almost a Full Moon) create an eerie atmosphere for this tense verse tale about Mina—a risk-seeking girl who succumbs one night to the lure of the Goblin Market and its magical wares. Bespectacled Millie, Mina’s comparatively contented homebody sister, reads up on her quest before braving the market’s threats in search of her sibling (“The Goblins weren’t just fierce, but clever—/ It was a dangerous endeavor”). Once Millie passes the wolf just inside the market’s entrance, she experiences one chilling encounter after another as she uses the magic antidotes she’s brought to counter fairy tale menaces. “Come into my stall and sit./ To soothe your nerves, I’ll play a bit,” offers a piper whose song begins lulling Millie to sleep, until she stuffs wool into her ears and resumes her search. Rigorously metered couplets make the suspense easier to bear. Via an allusive, Christina Rossetti–tinged work that rewards clearheadedness and preparation, VanSickle (Anonymouse) creates a hero who won’t be cowed. Character skin tones reflect the white of the page. Ages 4–8.

May 15, 2024
Two resourceful sisters narrowly escape the treacherous Goblin Market. Drawing inspiration from European fairy tales and Christina Rosetti's 1859 poem "Goblin Market," VanSickle introduces readers to impulsive Mina and cautious, bookish Millie. When the goblins come to town, Mina, bored and eager for adventure, ignores the warnings about the market and sneaks off one night as Millie sleeps. Awakening to find Mina gone, Millie studies her books before setting after her. Shadowed by a mysterious wolf who meets her at the market's gate, Millie searches for Mina. Employing the folkloric motif of threes, VanSickle pits Millie against goblins who offer her sweet apples, eerily enchanting music, and magically scented poppies. Resourceful Millie has brought bread to eat instead and wool to plug her ears. A timely gust of wind prevents the poppy-induced spell. Her search thwarted, Millie decides to return tomorrow, but the goblins demand payment. "Our magic gifts are not for show, / you have to buy before you go. / Otherwise you're ours to keep." But Millie soon realizes what has become of her sister--and finds a way to save her. VanSickle's rhyming couplets scan well, and Eckwall's red-accented black-and-white pictures and repeating botanical borders evoke classic children's illustrations. Characters have skin the color of the page. A gratifying, happy-ever-after tale of symbiotic sororal cleverness. (Picture book. 5-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

What brightens a room at Christmas like a sparkling tree? A family gathers to decorate their tree; the cat involves itself, too. The young narrator, Della Rose Santiago, proudly displays several ornaments, providing their backstories and reminding readers that Christmas centers on family memories, lore, history, and traditions. Della Rose shows off "my first-ever ornament," a flowery yellow one given when the child was born. Another ornament, shaped like a pair of skates, was Mom's when she was a child; a stained-glass angel adorned Daddy and Mom's first tree together. This sweet tale is also potentially a helpful guidebook to tree decoration, as it offers some useful ideas for readers: Della Rose presents a pine cone--a souvenir from the family's first camping trip--and points out, "Anything can be an ornament." A brand-new ornament this year was purchased in honor of and bears the name of Della Rose's infant sibling: a family tradition literally newly born. This warm tale will brighten spirits with its depiction of a close-knit family happily engaged in a meaningful routine. The colorful, cozy illustrations, created with papers, textiles, embroidery thread, and craft supplies, aptly suit the theme and have a lovely, tactile feeling--who doesn't love touching glittery Christmas trinkets? Della Rose is tan-skinned, while Mom is light-skinned, and Daddy presents Asian; ornaments from relatives from Japan and the Philippines are referenced, too. A cheery Christmas charmer focused on family traditions. (Picture book. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (Online Review)

September 1, 2023

K-Gr 1-"Wait until a snowy night," begins the eager, bubbly narrative of the young heroine as she and her family await the arrival of the Christmas tree. Her dad and Uncle Rob are shown carrying the tree into their home, and then the preparations begin. Ornaments are lovingly unwrapped, each one's story told, and the lights and popcorn strings added. The final ornaments to be placed on the tree are inscribed with the names of the heroine and her baby brother. The colorful three-dimensional ornaments, which are woven from embroidery thread, paper, and textiles along with the rest of the art, capture the author's enthusiasm. Realistic elements are carried through Sato's illustrations to include subtle details: the laces on the boots; a fur ruff around the hood; plump, vertical tree boughs; and the warm texture of the carpets. A child's breathless excitement during the Christmas season resonates in the short, animated sentences. Each page provides an opportunity for audience participation. VERDICT Add to collections of stories about preparing for Christmas, alongside Karma Wilson's Bear Stays Up for Christmas, Anne Mortimer's Christmas Mouse, and Tomie dePaola's The Legend of the Poinsettia.-Monica Fleche

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2024
Grades K-2 Millie is content with her life on the farm, but sister Mina is growing weary of the monotonous existence. She longs to find a bit of excitement at the passing Goblin Market, despite dire warnings that foolhardy attendees have been known to disappear. When Mina is missing in the morning, Millie fears the worst and heads out in pursuit of her adventurous sister. Though tempted by every magical market stall, Millie relies on her wits and occasional assistance from a mysterious wolf to avoid the clever snares. With time running out, can she locate Mina and escape the market before they're both lost forever? The bewitching book, based on a nineteenth-century poem, employs rhyming couplets to tell a classic story full of high spirits and eerie entanglements. Inventive illustrations resemble vintage woodblock prints; the striking black, white, and red visuals teem with detail and drama; and the charming text is bordered by intricate frames. A beautiful blend of classic aesthetics and modern sensibilities with a marvelous message of courage and love.

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