Books with author Nancy%20Tafuri

From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2?This charming secular book lovingly details a young girl's activities as she counts down the days of December from the first to Christmas Day. Full- and double-page spreads present softly colored watercolor-and-ink artwork highlighted by cheery, bright Christmas reds. Tafuri's signature large-scale pictures are paired with simple sentences using active verbs: "Days 1, 2, and 3/ I paint, cut,/ and paste." Accompanied on most pages by her furry gray dog (sometimes readers will have to hunt to find him), the child bakes, sends cards, makes decorations, and wraps presents. An end section gives how-to instructions and recipes for the yuletide cards, popcorn-cranberry garland, spicy gingerbread cookies, and outdoor animal treats mentioned. This special book is about the love and spirit of the season, and successfully demonstrates how to celebrate Christmas without the overwhelming commercialism so often associated with it.?LF Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist Ages 2^-5. Using Advent calendar motifs, this picture book focuses on the activities of a little girl in the days before Christmas. "Days 1, 2, and 3 / I paint, cut, and paste" accompanies a double-page spread of the child pasting a yellow star onto a sheet of red paper. The illustration for "Days 21, 22, and 23 / I trim and gaze" shows her hanging an ornament on a Christmas tree. Words such as trim and gaze may take some explanation for young children, but they'll be interested in the girl's preparations. The large scale of the illustrations relative to the size of the page and the bright colors used throughout make this an excellent choice for story hours. The book ends with a few pages of suggested activities: making holiday cards, popcorn-cranberry garlands, gingerbread cookies, and decorations that can be eaten by animals. A holiday treat for Tafuri fans. Carolyn Phelan