2014 Christmas Give-Away - Christmas Books from Sterling Children's Books

I was recently sent four Christmas books from Sterling Children's Books in exchange for me writing my opinion of each of them . . . since they are Christmas books, they seem like a fun addition to this year's Christmas Give-Aways! I'm reviewing all four today, and if you are the winner, you may choose two of them . . . which will be no easy choice!

The Great Reindeer Rebellion
Author - Lisa Trumbauer
Illustrator - Jannie Ho
Publisher - Sterling Children's Books
Ages -  4+

Favorite Features -

• Rhyming story adds a definite touch of "fun" to Christmas with the "account" of the reindeer going on "strike"
• Illustrations are colorful - would have loved to see a Basset Hound included in the dogs who "applied" for the job of pulling Santa's sleigh!

Sterling Children's Books says; "'Twas the week before Christmas, and somewhere up north, dear Santa was frantic-he paced back and forth. He had just heard some news that he sure didn't like: it seemed that the reindeer were going on STRIKE!' Oh, no! There's trouble brewing in the North Pole: Santa's reindeer have gone on strike and he's auditioning other animals to take their place. But when the cats abandon station to chase some mice and the elephants fall through the roof, what's Santa to do? Will his eight trusty reindeer ever fly again? This playful take on “The Night Before Christmas” gives kids a fun behind-the-scenes peek into Santa's workshop."

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! The Great Reindeer Rebellion had me laughing and I expect it will have Josiah and Caleb laughing when I read it to them, as well! I think it will be fun to have the boys think of other animals which might "apply" for the job and what might happen with them! The Great Reindeer Rebellion is sure to be a family holiday favorite!

The Night Before Christmas
Author - Clement C Moore
Illustrator - Tom Browning
Publisher - Sterling Children's Books
Ages - 5+

Favorite Features -

• Classic, loved poem which families have enjoyed for hundreds of years
• Amazing illustrations - I LOVED these illustrations!!!

Sterling Children's Books says; "For decades families have gathered together to read Clement C. Moore's enchanting holiday poem. Featuring beautiful original illustrations by award-winning artist Tom Browning, this stunning edition stands apart from the rest. Browning has created a classic Saint Nick—the quintessential round, jolly, white-bearded figure that everyone imagines. The look is timeless, filled with warmth and sentiment: exactly what Christmas should be."

While I have had the opportunity to see and read many copies of The Night Before Christmas over the years; this has to be my personal favorite as I absolutely love the illustrations! Beautiful, full of color, dimension, and detail, these illustrations absolutely add to the enjoyment of this classic Christmas poem/story!

When, When, When Will it be Christmas?
Author/Illustrator - Cathy MacLennan
Publisher - Sterling Children's Books
Ages - 3-6

Favorite Features -

• Color and sparkles from glitter add to the fun of this book.
• Simple story which little ones will identify with - when will it be Christmas?!
• Encourages color identification along with talking about Christmas parties, Christmas programs, decorating for Christmas, and the excitement of waiting for this special day to arrive!

Sterling Children's Books says; "Look—what do you see? Red, red berries, and a green, green tree. Ballerina mice frosting a snowy white cake, and pretty wrapping, bows, and tape. All the signs are in the air—it's almost that time of year. But when, when, when will Christmas be here? Come celebrate with this festive picture book from Cathy MacLennan. It's all dressed up in bright Christmas colors and filled with rhythm and rhyme to create the happiest holiday experience."

I found When, When, When Will it be Christmas? to be a book which will have little ones joining in with identifying the colors, sights, and special parts of celebrating Christmas . . . and wondering, "when, when, when will it be Christmas?!!!"

A Pirate's Night Before Christmas
Author - Philip Yates
Illustrator - Sebastiá Serra'
Publisher - Sterling Children's Books
Ages - 3-6

Favorite Features -

• A fun "piratical" "retelling" of a familiar classic.
• Colorful and interesting illustrations.
• Pirate term dictionary in the back adds to the fun!

Sterling Children's Books says; "Come aboard, young mateys, for a humorous, colorful, and thoroughly piratical retelling of "The Night Before Christmas!" On a ship of mischievous brigands—who have visions of treasure chests, not sugar plums, dancing in their heads—you wouldn't expect a visit from jolly St. Nick. Instead, here comes Sir Peggedy, with his peg leg and hook arm, cracking his whip and driving eight giant seahorses: Salty, Scurvy, Sinbad, Mollie, Cutthroat, Cross-Eyes, Roger, and Jolly. But even buccaneers can catch the holiday spirit … Philip Yates's rollicking rhymes and Sebastiá Serra's sprightly, fun-filled pictures turn Clement C. Moore's Christmas perennial into a jubilant celebration."

I found A Pirate's Night Before Christmas to be great fun . . . and filled with laughs! Families will enjoy this version of the classic for many Christmases to come!

I'm very happy to say, not only did Sterling Children's Books send me these four books in exchange for me writing my opinion of them, but they are also making two available for me to give away (USA only)! If you are over the age of 18 and would like to be in the drawing which will be on November 18, 2014, please comment below to let me know which two books you would choose if you are the winner!

In addition, you will receive additional entries if you have followed on Google+, Google Friend Connect, followed by liking on facebook with the tab at this link (not just liking the post) and/or have followed grandma's cookie jar by email. For each of these which you have done you will receive one entry. In addition, if you "share" this post, you'll receive an additional entry (please let me know if you share). This will help me be able to draw names from among people who would like to win The Great Reindeer Rebellion, The Night Before Christmas, When, When, When Will it be Christmas? or A Pirate's Night Before Christmas and it gives you several ways to enter the give-away!