Counting Christmas

From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2-Three young children make the transition from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day by counting backward from 10 to 1. (Perhaps a more apt title would be "Countdown Christmas.") The concept is accentuated by the representation of each number as a numerical expression, as a written word, and as an appropriate quantity of decorative snowflakes. The collage, gouache, and colored-pencil illustrations are cheery and have a nice textural feel, with a plethora of seasonal motifs packed into every bit of space. (Some of the layouts have a full page of blank background to the text, allowing for some visual serenity.) The text is brief and lyrical, but is marred by an inconsistent rhyme scheme. Nevertheless, children will enjoy this depiction of a loving family as they carry out their pre-yule preparations and wake up on that magical day.-L. I.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. From