Three more fun and sweet just-right for Christmas and winter children’s books on the review docket! Thanks to the lovely folks at Penguin Random House Canada/Candlewick Press, I have the pleasure of talking about: The Little Snowplow Wishes for Snow by Lora Koehler and Jake Parker, Peppa Pig and the Christmas Play, and Maisy’s Christmas Party by Lucy Cousins. Enjoy!

When the little snowplow got back to the garage, he felt happy- and hopeful. The first day of winter was only days away. Surely it would snow then.
A companion to the bestselling picture book The Little Snowplow, author Lora Koehler and illustrator Jake Parker return with The Little Snowplow Wishes for Snow. In the first series entry, the little snowplow proved his mettle during a fierce winter storm and a sudden avalanche that trapped a tough-talking member of his Mighty Mountain Road Crew. Now in The Little Snowplow Wishes for Snow, our courageous protagonist has two things on his mind: the highly anticipated arrival of snowfall, and his birthday! A winning combination of action, heart, and lively, happily bright and winsome illustrations, The Little Snowplow Wishes for Snow is a solid pick for readers looking for seasonal books and/or new vehicle books. Absolutely perfect for readers who adore titles (and series) such as The Little Engine That Could (there are happy similarities with the ‘I think I can’ heart of the story!), Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, Little Blue Truck, or Katy and the Big Snow, Koehler and Parker’s determined, can-do snowplow protagonist and his group of friends will likely hold huge appeal.

“I would like to be a Christmas fairy,” says Peppa.
“Very good,” says Madame Gazelle.
“I want to be the nurse!” says Suzy Sheep.
“A nurse?” asks Madame Gazelle. “I don’t think we need a nurse in our Christmas play.”
“But what if someone gets sick?” asks Suzy.
The irrepressible Peppa Pig (and her very funny group of friends) return in Peppa Pig and the Christmas Play. Both of my kids are completely into Peppa Pig– the books, the series, you name it; even my oldest who is now five, finds pleasure in revisiting the characters and stories she first fell in love with a few years back. This latest Christmas-centered picture book finds the group of students (including newer characters like Molly Mole and Gerald Giraffe) in Madame Gazelle’s classroom planning their Christmas play. With everyone assigned a role, including Suzy Sheep self-assigned as a nurse and Peppa as a Christmas Fairy, the team works hard to prepare for their performance. Peppa tells her friends that Santa promised her he would attend their play, but Madame Gazelle gently reminds her that Santa is very busy during this time of year and might not be able to come. Will Santa be able to keep his promise to Peppa? Will Peppa be able to concentrate on performing if Santa doesn’t make it it time? Altogether so delightfully charming, allowing moments of humour and zaniness as well as a happy conclusion, Peppa Pig and the Christmas Play is another winning entry in the Neville Astley and Mark Baker created series that will entice fans of the series. Note: This hardcover edition of the picture book includes a colouring poster: remove the dust jacket and you will see the poster you can colour and keep! Don’t worry about keeping the dust jacket off: the hard cover appearance is exactly the same underneath!

Last but not least on review today is a new release in Lucy Cousin‘s popular Maisy series called Maisy’s Christmas Party! A board book-sized treat of an interactive Christmas picture book, Maisy’s Christmas Party centers around Maisy sending off invitations to her friends in the hopes that they can attend her holiday do. As Maisy’s likable friends (like Dotty, Tallulah, Eddie and more) mail their replies back to Maisy, readers follow along by gently digging into the envelope pockets and pulling out- and reading!- the reply notes from her friends! Not only do the envelope pockets contain thoughtful thank you notes from Maisy’s friends, but they also contain sweet extras such as a tiny book of jokes, a miniature countdown calendar, a recipe, a tree decoration, and more. It is the kind of hands-on book that will likely delight readers with all of its accompanying bits and pieces (though probably best for ages three and up!). Fans of the Maisy series of books and those looking for some happy surprises in a new Maisy Christmas book may especially love this!

I received copies of these titles courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada/Candlewick Press in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions and comments are my own.