Attractive and well-meaning, if not entirely successful.—
Brooke Sheets, Los Angeles Public Library
Rachel Rosenstein is bummed to be the only kid in her decorated-to-the-hilt neighborhood who doesn't celebrate Christmas. When her pleas for twinkly lights and a tree go unheeded in her Jewish household, Rachel takes matters into her own hands, festooning the living room with homemade decorations on Christmas Eve and waiting for the big guy to arrive. There's lots of humor in the text ("Dear Santa…I know that you are a fair person and will not mind that I am Jewish. After all so was Jesus, at least on his mother's side") and in the lively, scribbly, colorful illustrations. But the authors wisely don't gloss over Rachel's feelings

A perfect blend of text and pictures makes this an outstanding offering for the youngest crowd.
A warm and fuzzy tale that is imbued with the holiday spirit despite never mentioning the word
Christmas.—
Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
In their first picture book, easy-reader best friends Cork (a deep-thinking muskrat) and Fuzz (a happy-go-lucky possum) roam the snowy landscape, wondering why the day feels so special. Cork keeps looking for a quiet place to think, while Fuzz distractingly sings ditties ("Merry, merry, holly, holly, ho-ho-ho!") and shakes a jingle bell. Finally, as darkness falls, they come upon a lighted fir tree, and Cork realizes why the day is special. His conclusion is not the expected one
Viewers new to the challenges of blindness may learn enough from the four stories to suppress their anxiety. However, all the stories play out like homemade video diaries, limiting the program's appeal.

Recommended for most picture book collections.
This YA series has strong crossover appeal; this latest volume is a must-purchase where fans have embraced the first two.
Due to the space at the back to write a letter to one's grandchild and paste a photo, this title would work better as a gift book than in a library setting.
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