Christmas Is Coming To Town! by Rachel Piercey

I'm a bit late with today's read, and it would have been better to have snuck in sometime around the end of November...but so many books and so little time! Today's read is more of an Advent's calendar than a regular book, but I'm wondering if it could be used as a fun Christmas book, too. Why? Because it appears to be a fold out book with 24 windows and doors to open to discover what's inside. I'm hoping that little readers can just open these themselves and have fun with it. But we'll see. Oh, I also saw on Goodreads that this is available in Norwegian, too.

So, let's see how this one works, shall we?

CHRISTMAS IS COMING TO TOWN!

Brown Bear Wood

by Rachel Piercey

Illustrated by Freya Hartas

Magic Cat Publishing

Picture Book Holiday

16 pages

ages 3 to 8

Count down to Christmas with Bear and his woodland friends in this spectacular advent calendar book—with surprises hidden under 24 doors, holiday activities to enjoy as a family, and a magical accordion-style fold-out to display

In Christmas is Coming to Town!, children will enjoy the merriment of getting ready for Christmas with Bear and his friends. The calendar includes 24 flaps to open, each one revealing a delightful illustration and verse about the animals of Brown Bear Wood preparing for the big day.

On the back of the stunningly illustrated fold-out calendar there are tips for more holiday fun, including: tell a Christmas story with Papa Bear; write a letter to Santa with Professor Owl; bake carrot oat bars for Rudolph with Mama Fox; build a snow deer with the Deer Family; decorate a gingerbread burrow with Bunny; pick the perfect tree with Bear; and make gift wrap with the Squirrel Family. Christmas is truly magical in Brown Bear Wood!

Brown Bear Wood series:
If You Go Down to the Woods Today
Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball
It’s Busy Down in the Woods Today
Wisdom of the Woods
Brown Bear Wood: A Search-and-Find Coloring Book: Over 100 Things to Find
Bear’s Picnic Puzzle: A Magical Woodland (100 Piece Puzzle)
Christmas is Coming to Town!
The Great Easter Egg Hunt
I Love You Always

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Get ready to get big because this book pulls out into a long line with tons to discover on every page.

First I have to reveal that I didn't see this one in physical copy form, which I'm sure would have been lovely. Still, it was enjoyable and is definitely going on my list of future reads for the little ones in my life. This 'book' stretches out into an entire, long display of Christmas in a town. Each page is packed with busy and cheerful illustrations. Many are sure to make readers smile, and there's always something new to discover thanks to the enjoyable chaos. There are doors on each page, each marked with a number from 1-24. This makes it perfect for the Advent countdown. But this can also be read simply as a fun way to open doors and discover what's inside. 

The surprises are brief, cute, and carry tons of Christmas joy. It's fun to meet all of the characters and see what they are up to. Plus, readers can enjoy this one themselves, since much of the delights are of the visual nature. 

It's a warming, fun way to rank up the pre-Christmas excitement.

And here she is...

FREYA HARTAS is a UK based artist specialising in children's books, and the illustrator of the internationally bestselling Slow Down and Brown Bear Wood series. She graduated from Falmouth University with a first-class honours in BA Illustration in 2014. Freya loves to conjure up humorous characters, animals and monsters, creating the most fantastical worlds for them to inhabit and get lost in.

River of Crows by N.P. Thompson

I do have a couple middle grade reads this month...just a few, though...and today's read is one of them. This is the first book in The Arcanium series and received wonderful reviews and even a few prizes/recognitions. I think it includes a prophecy, portal and alternate world with magic. Oh, and friendship should be a big theme.

Let's open it up and see what's inside!

RIVER OF CROWS

The Arcanium, Book One

by N.P. Thompson

Inky Cove

Middle Grade Fantasy

334 pages

ages 8 to 12

A cryptic prophecy. A dangerous quest. An explosive family secret. And a crow with a white feather who is more than he appears...

Mortal peril is twelve-year-old Ty Baxter's new normal when he teams up with the weird girl from school to help an injured bird and suddenly finds himself trapped in a strange, magical world.

Now the target of a brutal tyrant with unfathomable power, Ty grapples with a life-altering revelation about his past and the implications of an ancient prophecy. As he struggles to control his own emerging magical Talent, Ty embroils himself in a desperate gamble to help his new friends save their missing family before the emperor uses his dark sorcery to transform them into birds, enslaving them forever as soldiers in his enchanted avian army.

And if he survives all of that, he's probably still going to get grounded—if he ever finds a way to get back home.

From debut author N.P. Thompson, River of Crows (book 1 of The Arcanium saga), thrusts unsuspecting seventh-grader Ty Baxter into a dangerous new realm of intrigue and magic where he must band together with a group of unlikely friends as they fight to save their families, their worlds, and each other from sinister forces. This witty, action-packed upper middle grade fantasy adventure with a cast of unforgettable characters will appeal to fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and Wings of Fire.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Two worlds collide in an intriguing tale of magic with a touch of sinister intentions.

Ty doesn't like school and still does fine, but his strict father expects more. Ty's also bullied at school, but when a crow saves the day, he finds the pet his father would never let him have. Well, of sorts. There's something strange about this crow, but even stranger is the weird girl, who decides to talk to him. When they find themselves, trapped in a magical world, Ty's entire life gets flipped upside down as he discovers he has magical talents. But that's only the beginning. An evil emperor is transforming everyone against him into birds, and Ty and the girl seem to be the only ones who can help. Maybe.

This book immediately had me thinking of the German tale, Krabat, with an evil master, which turns assistants into crows. In this tale, it's an emperor, who turns those against him into crows, and this gives the entire thing a dark twist, which draws in. Ty is a bit prickly when the reader first meets him. The bullying and weird girl set the story off with a bit of edge before it takes a true, fantasy dive into the other world. Mixed with many short chapters, the read, especially in the beginning, seems unsettled, which works nicely as it leads into the uncertainty Ty faces with his new, magical abilities and strange world. He has a lot to learn and grows right along with the new friendship he forms.

The is a steady-paced read with moments of tension, action, and a touch of heart. The world building is well done and creates interesting scenes and characters. While some areas slowed a bit, most of the plot moves along with unexpected twists and turns. Plus, the problems Ty faces will have the reader rooting for him the entire way through.

It will be interesting to see where all of this goes next.

And here she is...

N.P. Thompson lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her two awesome kids and a very lazy cat. When she’s not building web things you can either find her wrangling plot bunnies or binge-watching episodes of Doctor Who and Babylon 5. She enjoys talking to the neighbourhood crows (most days), but wishes they would stop nagging her about not having finished their stories yet.

Here at the Castle by Anthony Luke Hyslop

Happy Sunday, everyone! Today's read should be perfect for a Sunday read. It appears to be a little more tense and exciting than most picture books with religious messages, and I'm very curious to see how that works out. It's always nice to have a little change-up on the angle's, since everyone is reached differently. 

Let's just open it up and see what it holds!

HERE AT THE CASTLE

Abide With Me #1

by Anthony Luke Hyslop

Edited by Stacy Gittens

Illustrated by Aleksander Jasinski

AH! Publishing

Picture Book Religious

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

Embark on an unforgettable adventure of courage, faith, and redemption with Here at the Castle – a beautifully illustrated Christian allegory that will inspire and captivate young hearts. Perfect for children ages 4-10, this enchanting picture book delivers powerful lessons about overcoming fear and trusting in God’s unwavering love.

In a broken-down castle perched on a cliff, Nathaniel, a frightened little lamb, finds himself lost, alone, and hunted by a fearsome dragon. As the dragon’s shadow looms closer, all hope seems lost until a mighty lion emerges from the mist to protect him. This lion, fierce yet full of compassion, battles the dragon to save Nathaniel, showing the lamb that even in his darkest moments, he is never truly alone.

With lyrical storytelling and stunning illustrations, Here at the Castle is more than just a bedtime story – it’s a faith-filled journey that introduces children to the boundless love and protection of Jesus Christ. Through its allegorical tale, the book explores themes of salvation, courage, and God’s grace, teaching kids that no matter how lost or unworthy they may feel, they are always worthy of His love.

Why Parents and Teachers Love This

Faith-Based Helps children understand the power of God’s love, courage, and redemption through a relatable story. Biblical Includes references to key Bible verses like Psalm 121, reinforcing spiritual lessons. Emotional Tackles feelings of fear, doubt, and loneliness while reassuring young readers that they are never alone.  Stunning Beautifully illustrated pages bring the allegory to life, making it perfect for story time or Sunday School. Encourages Thought-provoking questions and themes inspire meaningful discussions about faith and hope. 

Perfect

Bedtime stories with a spiritual message 

Christian families and homeschoolers

Church libraries and Sunday School classrooms

Gifts for Easter, Christmas, baptisms, or first communion 

Key

Features a 3D Hardcover. Paperback, and E-book options available. Includes a reflection section with Bible verses for deeper exploration. Ideal for readers ages 4-10Give your child a story they’ll cherish forever and a faith they can lean on throughout their life. Add Here at the Castle to your cart today and watch as its timeless message of love and protection touches the hearts of everyone who reads it.

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Tension and dragon fantasy mix into a powerful tale about being protected and loved.

A little lamb ran off, got lost, and now, finds itself at a dark, scary castle. It has no idea what it's going to do, especially when a terrifying dragon flies in and wants to eat it. The lamb knows it's doomed, but before the terrible happens, a heroic lion comes to the rescue.

This is one for adventure fans...and dragon lovers, too. The fear for the little lamb's situation hits right away on the first page and intensifies as the dangerous dragon comes in. More sensitive readers might find it a bit much, but there will be many others who will enjoy the high-stakes and fantasy flow. The scenes are dark and carry tension, which shifts nicely against the heroic lion. All of it has its purpose, and still stays in the range of the intended reading level. And yes, the religious aspect is there with symbolism that isn't overly hard to grasp. I do love the original direction this takes and find it nice to have a book, which carries such an important message and doesn't stay snuggly the entire way through, but lets adventure soar.

The illustrations are especially well done and draw in. They are dark and dim through much of the read, and this fits the setting and tale well. The characters come across with the right emotions and make this a tale listeners can pick up on their own and enjoy through the illustrations. The text is also fitting to the age group and works as a read-alone for those readers, who are pretty sure of their words. The rhyme flows okay but not as smooth as I like, but that could just be me. 

To make this a read packed with extra goodness, the author adds several pages of notes at the end, which help explain the background and symbolism. I found this helps mold this especially nicely into a read to be used in Sunday school or group settings. 

And here he is...

Anthony Hyslop lives in north Idaho with his wife Elizabeth their 7 children the latter now living with the Lord. They have 15 chickens and a black cat named Rocky. He has been a cement finisher for 21 years now.

Anthony loves to write new stories and write poetry from time to time. He believes all good things come from the Lord and to be a good steward of what is given to you.

You can check out some of his work and poetry on

Facebook: Stories by Anthony Hyslop (@ahstories).

Instagram: @ahpublishing

How Mr. Felix Entered a Bicycle Race by Peter Svetina

Today's read seems to take a silly turn with an unique character...and that's why I couldn't help but take a peek. This one promises to offer some words for wisdom through an endearing tale. Plus, why is that man lying on his back with the bike when he's in a race? These are questions that must be answered! 

So, let's take a look and see where his speed and the race went.

HOW MR. FELIX ENTERED A BICYCLE RACE

by Peter Svetina

Illustrated by Ana Razpotnik Donati

Albatros Media

Picture Book

24 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING MARCH 17, 2026!!!

Slow and Steady Wins the... Fun! Discover the Hilarious Story of Mr. Felix's Unconventional Bicycle Race! 

Get ready for an exciting adventure with Mr. Felix, a charmingly eccentric man who stumbles his way into a bicycle race! Forget about speed and competition; Mr. Felix pedals to the beat of his own drum, happily pausing for refreshing lemonade breaks, spontaneous swims in the lake, and delightful detours along the way. Young readers will be captivated by Mr. Felix's carefree spirit and learning that embracing life's little joys and going at your own pace can lead to the most unexpected and delightful victories. Perfect for young readers who love a good laugh and stories that celebrate individuality. How Mr. Felix Entered a Bicycle Race is a heartwarming reminder that sometimes, the best way to win is to simply enjoy the ride!

• A Hilarious Adventure: Join Mr. Felix on his laugh-out-loud journey through a bicycle race unlike any other!
• Celebrates Individuality: Encourages children to embrace their own pace and unique way of experiencing the world.
• Heartwarming Message: Teaches valuable lessons about enjoying the present moment and finding joy in unexpected places.
• Perfect for Story Time: Award-winning writer Peter Svetina's engaging writing and quirky characters make this a delightful read-aloud for families.
• A Fun Twist on Competition: Shows that "winning" isn't always about being the fastest, but about savoring the experience.

For over 75 years, Albatros Media has been crafting original and innovative children's books that are both playful and educational, fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in young minds. We deliver the highest quality children’s books from novelty, picture, pop-up, and how-to books, to non-fiction, and fairy tale books.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With light silliness and moments to make listeners/readers go 'huh', this is a fun read with a lovely message.

Mr. Felix is a bit of an odd person, who loves to live between boxes in his house and likes to carefully braid his beard. But he's not unloved, by any means. When he enters a bike race, people aren't sure what to think, especially since he doesn't have a bike. This isn't really a problem, since someone is more than ready to let him borrow their rusty one. And off he goes! He surprises all onlookers not only with his amazing speed but his constant habit of being distracted. It makes for an intriguing race with onlookers' emotions all over the place.

This is a cute tale with lots of heart. Mr. Felix is odd but lovable. He radiates kindness and friendliness to win over listeners and readers right away. The silliness of the situation is also clear from the get-go, although his sudden speed definitely surprises. It also adds the perfect fuel to keep the extreme back-and-forth going though out. The tale is interesting the entire way through with my only criticism at how quickly and suddenly it ends. Twenty-four pages is short for this type of read, and a few more pages really would have made it sit wonderfully.

Despite the shortness, this isn't a light read for the picture book audience and holds a bit heavier text. It still works great as a read-aloud, even for slightly impatient listeners. Readers, who want to tackle it on their own, will need to have a pretty good handle on their word skills, too. The illustrations also are nicely done and bring the scenes across with fun, letting the moments come across right. Especially Mr. Felix's attitude shines. I received a DRC and wasn't able to view all of the illustrations but most of them.

It's a fun read with a hint of silliness and tons of heart.

And here he is...

Peter Svetina was born in 1970 in Ljubljana. He is an author of short stories, novels, picture books and poetry for readers of all ages. He obtained his PhD in early Slovenian Literature at the University of Ljubljana. Since 2007, he has been a lecturer at the University of Klagenfurt in Austria and also works as a translator and editor. Svetina’s writing often reflects occurrences and images from his everyday life, and he is known for his distinctive storytelling that combines nonsense with realism. To date, he has published over 20 books for children and young people. Three of his stories have been adapted for puppet shows and much of his work has been translated into other languages. His books have received some of the most prestigious national and international awards and are immensely popular among literary critics as well as young readers.

Merry Christmas, My Darling Dear by Amy Kavelaris

Anyone else have Christmas songs running through their heads constantly? My daughter has already searched out every single Christmas station on our car radio and scrutinized them until she found her favorite. (When we drive, it's longer distance.) 

Today's read keeps this Christmas spirit flowing. I was drawn in by the cover—it's so calming and festive. I was surprised to learn that it's part of a row of books from this author, which center around this deer and her fawn. It's also a religious read, which gives it extra marks for me. 

So, let's dive in and see what these pages hold!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY DARLING DEAR

by Amy Kavelaris

Tommy Nelson

Picture Book   /   Holiday  /  Religious

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

Step into a winter wonderland filled with beautiful artwork of woodland animals and flower crowns as you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with your little ones. Merry Christmas, My Darling Dear follows a baby and mama deer who discover that Christmas festivities, decorations, and presents are reminders of the greatest gift of all—the birth of God’s Son.

When you string lights on your tree, remember Jesus, the Light of the World. And when you watch snow falling gently down, remember God sent His Son down to earth to be with us. Let each gift you give be a reminder of the greatest gift, the gift of our Savior. This baby and mama deer delight over each Christmasy moment as they wander through the snowy forest, enjoy Christmas activities, and encounter a beautiful church and its nativity scene.

Filled with whimsical illustrations from beloved author and artist Amy Kavelaris, this picture book

• is for ages 4 to 8;
• shows the value in Christmas festivities and how they point to the true reason for Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ birth; and
• is a great gift for Christmas and Advent as well as baby showers during the Christmas season.

See the wonder of the Christmas season through your child’s eyes as you teach them that each moment is a celebration of God’s Son.

Check out these other books from Amy Kavelaris:

• Good Night, My Darling Dear
• Good Morning, Little One

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Calm and love swirl together with gorgeous illustrations to bring across warm, Christmas feelings.

A mother deer and her fawn wander through the forest in a loving manner, as the mother expresses her care for her child. The special moments and meaning of Christmas slide in along the way to create a gentle and heart-filled read for those more quiet moments.

This is written in rhyme and carefully worded so as to keep it meaningful and short for even less patient listeners. The rhymes flow smoothly and build the calming atmosphere, while delivering the wholesome words to bring across the meaning of Christmas. But these pages really sparkle and shine thanks to the beautiful illustrations. They bring each scene across with tons of emotion, while also offering young listeners little things to discover. It's patient and never busy as each scene invites in. It's a book to snuggle up with from beginning to end.

The message of Christmas and Jesus' birth weaves in naturally, while letting the warm relationship between mother and child stay front and center. The other forest animals add a sense of friendship and community. While the illustrations stick to a more realistic, natural style, there are human add-ins here and there to invite to fantasy and familiarity, and yet, it never feels out of place.

It's a lovely read for the holidays and works especially well for calmer settings or even as a bedtime read.

And here she is...

Amy (Kavs) Kavelaris work can be spotted in Target, Walmart, Anthropologie, Altar'd State, and Better Homes & Gardens, as well as in homes around the globe. She has collaborated with countless brands, including Skechers Shoes and Pampers, and served as a judge for the Miss America Foundation. Amy's impressionistic, painting style invites her viewers into a charming, and delightfully whimsical experience. Amy and her husband live in the Midwest with their three small girls. See her art at www.bloomprintsstudio.com and @amykavs on Instagram