Introduction
The bright, cheerful, and distinctive artwork of Mary Engelbreit infuses her children's Christmas picture books with a joyous spirit. These children's Christmas picture books by Mary Engelbreit feature Santa Claus, presents, and family festivities.Mary Engelbreit's A Merry Little Christmas
The newest of the Mary Engelbreit children's Christmas picture books is Mary Engelbreit's A Merry Little Christmas, a delightful Christmas alphabet book in rhyme. The text and artwork feature the Christmas activities, from A to Z, of Gregory Mouse and the Mouse family. (If you and your children recognize Gregory Mouse, it's because he is also featured in Mary Engelbreit's The Night Before Christmas). Each letter of the alphabet includes a four line rhyme and an illustration of a Christmas activity. Several illustrations feature Santa Mouse and his elves. While the rhymes are not particularly memorable, the artwork is terrific – filled with creative details.These details include the furniture in the Mouse family's home, much of which is made of discarded items from a human household. For example, one of the kitchen stools is made of a red checkers piece for a seat and pencils for legs. The kitchen table consists of a piece of fabric held taut in an embroidery hoop, with clothespins for legs. The family's sled is made out of a child's shoe, with yellow wooden rulers with one end curved as runners.
My six-year-old granddaughter, Chase, loves the book for two reasons: She can read the rhymes by herself, with just a little help, and she is fascinated with the Mouse family's handmade home furnishings, refering to them as "so creative!" I recommend Mary Engelbreit's A Merry Little Christmas for three- to six-year-olds. Compare prices. (HarperCollins Publishers, 2006. ISBN: 978006741587)
