Christmas Review: The Christmas Contest

 

Santa Claus has a BIG problem. There are too many nice kids this year. How will he ever deliver ALL those gifts? 

Luckily, he has a solution. He's going to hold a contest, and the winner will become his apprentice. After the first initial event, there are 4 contests. They have competitions every other day. Who will win?

My Thoughts: This is an advent novel, which means you're supposed to read it one chapter every day up until Christmas. Confession: I did not do that. I hope that means I'm not on the naughty list! 

This was such a fun read with cute illustrations and a great ending. This would make a fabulous family story to read together over the month of December. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: The chapters come sealed together. If you open them (with a ruler) before circulating, it works as a library book too. 

This makes a great gift!

Review: Greeking Out

 

* Book sent for review

This is the 3rd book in a series of mythology books 

This book features 20 tales from the underworld. Not all the tales are from Greece Mythology. The stories are mixed with bite sized chunks of information like: Individuals who cheated death, different death celebrations, or how to wrap a mummy. This tone of this book is humorous, which isn't easy when you're talking about death. I love the little facts in each story: like the one that shares a very very old story. The illustrations are fun.

This is a fantastic book for someone interested in mythology and a must have book for school and public libraries. 

The first story showcases a son of Poseidon: Theseus. 

This is a great tie-in to Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which was just released yesterday

Christmas Picture Books Reviews: (3)

A few more Christmas picture books:

One little girl is convinced that Santa Claus lives on her street. She tries to force him to share his secret. Is she right?

This is a funny story about community and secrets and the magic of Christmas. 

The candy corn are still around at Chirstmastime Can they be a part of the celebration?

Just because something is different doesn't mean that they don't belong. What a great message to come out of this funny book. 

* Book sent for review

You'll know when it's time for Christmas because of all the signs. 

There are so many signs at Christmas and so many traditions and magic to share. 

** this book is part of a series

Christmas day is almost here but a storm ruins everything. How will Christmas survive? Mrs. Claus has a plan!

I love how everything works out in such a sweet manner. 

The Cats are sending their Christmas wishes to Santa.

This is such a funny book. I love epistolatory books. 

Jerome sets out to find words of inspiration and joy, but the world is cold and cruel. What will inspire him?

This is a charming story about creating your own joy and spreading cheer.

Santa is sick. Everyone agrees that he should take some time off. Santa leaves Elmore the moose in charge. He also leaves some instructions - but nothing goes according to plan. Will Christmas be ruined or saved?

I really loved this story. I loved the letters back and forth from Santa to Elmore. Everything works out in a surprising way and the ending is funny. Also, I want to live on Cookie Crumb Lane.

Top Ten Tuesday: Snowy Books

 This week's topic is Snow Covered Books read this year:

Have you read any of these?

Middle Grade Review: Secrets, Spells, and Chocolate

 

Sylvie Jones has been wishing to attend the magical culinary school:  Brindille School of Culinary Arts and Magic for ages. A long time ago, her mother was accused of cheating in a competition. Now they both have a chance to clear their names. 

 Her mother's been invited to participate in another cooking competition.  

 Many students in Sylvie's class are hoping that she will fail. Sylvie overhears many disgruntled comments. Some of them lead her to discover a plot that could ruin her mother's dreams and her own. Can she uncover the truth about what happened all those years ago? Could her mother be in trouble now?

My Thoughts: I love the idea of magic influencing baking. Sylvie had a hard time trusting people - and with good reason given her mother's history. This book had lots of twists and turns.  Sylvie was very much a rule breaker, with good excuses. Like in any school, you had bullies, cheats, and some obsessed with rankings. This was such a fun read; I loved the class moments and cooking moments. While this book did wrap up, I can't help but wish for more stories set in this school.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for Review

Publication Date: December 9, 2026 (tomorrow)

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your middle grade/younger YA readers for school and public libraries

Hand this to readers: Who like cozy foodie magical reads

Board Books: Christmas Books

Here are some Christmas board books:

Another fun addition to the series. I love the slides and turns.  And the ending is so cute! 

This isn't a new story, but it's new to the library. Little Critter was a favorite character of mine has a kid, so this is a cute adaptation of the classic story. 

This is the most adorable of the series and that's saying something. The message in this book is magical. I can't recommend this series enough. 

This ugly sweater book is adorable- featuring six different animals in very different sweaters. And they all have a touch and feel element. Readers are going to love this one. 

A sweet family story about love and animals at Christmas

This touch and feel book says goodnight to animals inside and outside the house in this sweet Christmas story. 

Christmas Movie Reviews (2)

A few more Christmas movies I've recently watched:

* this is from last year's Hallmark movies that I missed

This takes place in an Ice Castle! It's really cool looking and impressive. I would spend a night there. I love the slide and all the small details. She's an architect and he's a Prince. I loved this one.

Apple TV:

This is a Christmas movie the same way Die Hard is one - lots of action, danger, and family drama. Similar to the first movie, but with the addition of Kit Harrington.

On Hallmark

From the meet cute (pictured) to the ending, this one was fantastic. I loved all the intersecting stories.  I enjoyed that it took place in 24 hours. 

Did you watch any of these? Thoughts?