Books published by publisher Scholastic Book Clubs Softcover Book and Audiocassette Tape

An appealing flip book that presents mirrored texts. The first half shows a mother bear, pig, mouse, elephant, and porcupine engaging in everyday activities with her children. Readers learn that Mommies can build a snowman with you, bake a birthday cake, "sew the loose button on your teddy bear," watch the sunset, read a story, or "hold you when you're feeling sad." But best, "Mommies can give you lots and lots of love." Flip the book and read that Daddies can do the same thing. Munsinger's winsome watercolor depictions of the animals are warm and humorous. A perfect cuddly bedtime or storytime read-aloud choice, this title practically begs preschool or early elementary teachers to help children write and illustrate their own versions to present to their parents for holiday or any-day gifts.

Christelow offers more animals who bamboozle slow-witted innocents in this rib-tickling take on The Three Little Pigs. Canine detective Phineas T. Doggedly asserts, "There's only one no-good rascal in this town ... the Big Bad Wolf!" So when "a big gust of wind Hufffs and Pufffs," he sets out to round up the usual suspect, who's nowhere to be found. The fact that an odd-looking sheep named Esmerelda happens to be strolling by every time disaster strikes seems odd to the sleuth, but, he says, "I just can't quite put my paw on what it is." Young readers will likely spy the big gray nose sticking out of Esmerelda's white wool long before Phineas does, and will follow the action with relish. Comic-book-style panels alternate with full-bleed spreads as Doggedly's midnight stake-outs fail to produce results. When he finally nabs the wolf, the scoundrel spends a couple of nights in jail before he's back to his usual tricks. The familiar story line allows Christelow to include plenty of details and extra cast members. Both adults and children will enjoy listening to Esmerelda urge the pigs, "Put down those bricks! Build a cardboard house. It's so much easier!"

Expertly crafted cut-paper collages illustrate this simple roundup of holiday delights. Each page represents a day in December as Snowbear, a fuzzy white polar bear, prepares for the holidays and enjoys winter activities. On the first day he writes Santa; on the third day he hangs Christmas lights; and so on. There's plenty of playtime, too. On day ten he brings out his toy trains, and on day thirteen he sleds with his animal pals, who all join him on the twenty-fifth for presents and celebration. Skillfully combining textured and patterned papers, Smythe creates vivid, detailed scenes of Snowbear at work and play that capture both the joyful, energetic bustle and the deep coziness of the season, and his simple, direct words are just right for reading aloud. Merry and bright holiday fare that young children may want to return to throughout the year.

Ford and Braun get it just right in a book for young children who, like the characters here, are also experiencing their first snow. A gray, misty two-page spread marked by bare trees matches the first words: "It is dark--a winter's night. / The moon is bright, barely there behind a lazy haze of gray." On the next pages the palette turns a wintry purple as the snowflakes fall. Burrowed under the snow are Bunny and his siblings, nestled next to their mother, dreaming of grass. But Bunny awakes and goes outside to sniff the air, and the snow entices him. Then his brothers and sisters come out to explore the snow and "watch the nighttime." Squirrels gather pinecones; a wolf prowls. In the distance are houses: "Smoke and smells curl up and out" of the chimneys." Children play, and the bunnies follow suit, stumbling and tumbling in the snow. Ford's artful text is both fluid and evocative, yet it's right at a child's level in both word choice and premise. The rabbits have a stuffed-animal look, but the landscapes are so lovely that the whole book is elevated. Let little ones experience what it's like to be out in the wide, white expanse of a starry, starry night.

'Tis the eve of Christmas--a cold winter's night--when Kind Ox offers to share his stable by the inn. Assuring each tentative visitor that "there's always room for a little one," he first gives shelter to Old Dog, then, in quick succession, Stray Cat, Small Mouse, and Tired Donkey, who is accompanied by Joseph and a weary Mary. As predators and prey gather together in "the peace of a stable," they learn lessons about tolerance and generosity. Finally, they bear witness to the birth of the most wondrous "Little One" of all: the baby Jesus. Waddell, the author of the popular Little Bear series, delivers another winner here. Quiet, meaningful, and ideal for the youngest readers, Waddell's simple text in large, easy-to-read type is rendered magical by Cockcroft's glowing acrylics. A majestic addition to any holiday collection.

In this companion to First Day, Hooray!, Poydar celebrates the excitement surrounding the final day of school. Staff and students alike anticipate the long-awaited summer break as they engage in various activities (taking down pictures, signing cards, cleaning up, saying good-bye). The minds of these characters are clearly already on vacation, and as the fish tank is scrubbed clean, giant soap bubbles with pictures of summer daydreams form over their heads. The gouache illustrations bustle with activity and typify the details of a school environment, complete with student artwork on the walls and papers on the floor. A good choice for easing the end-of-the-year good-byes.

The popular Holiday Mice are back once again, and this time they're going on an egg hunt. Distracted by the beautiful spring day, the littlest mouse is the only one who doesn't find any eggs . . . until he stumbles upon a very special egg that turns out to be the best one of all. Young readers will identify with the littlest mouse's antics and delight in his eventual success as the story reaches its charming surprise ending. Filled with cheerful pastel colors, oversized eggs, and adorable mice in their Easter best, this latest book about the Holiday Mice is sure to please fans both old and new.

What is it going to take to get Little Bunny to bed? Mrs. Rabbit gamely tries a lullaby, bubble bath, and warm milk, but nothing seems to work. Enjoying some rare alone time, as one of four bunny offspring, "He wanted to stay up all night long with his mommy." No sooner does Little Bunny vow that "I'll never be ready for bed" than he bunny-hops himself right into slumberland. In Hansen's honey-toned watercolors, the domestic scenes have the ring of authenticity and the long-eared critters combine just the right amount of cuddly, funny, and sweet qualities. Little Bunny's character is a hybrid of winsomeness and a toddleresque iron will. British author Johnson's punchline won't come as much of a surprise to weary parents: With Little Bunny finally asleep, Mrs. Rabbit utters the words, "Peace and quiet at last" and, as if on cue, another bunny sibling awakens. The tale seems as warm and familiar as a much-beloved blanket.

Piggy is excited about his first fishing trip with his father. After donning boots, helping to make sandwiches, and digging for worms, the pair set out. All is well until the youngster tries to bait the hook. He cannot bear to hurt the little worm smiling up at him, so they use bread instead. Though his dad explains that he must be quiet and patient for a fish to bite, the antsy tyke repeatedly casts his line until both fishermen fall asleep from a mix of exhaustion and boredom. Piggy is awakened by a tug on the line and, sure enough, he catches a beauty -- only to throw it back when he imagines how sad the fish must be. Instead, he invents a new sport of "feed-the-fish fishing," in which he tosses bread balls into the water and they enjoy watching the eager creatures eat their lunch. Dad is such a good sport that the next day they return for more -- only this time father, son, and fish feast on a box of doughnuts. The pleasing watercolor-and-pencil cartoons are bright and varied, with both white and colored backgrounds. The front endpapers sport cans of smiling worms while the back ones display an array of mouthwatering doughnuts. Children will appreciate the understanding, bespectacled dad in his wild Hawaiian shirts and empathize with the sensitive little pig.

On the night before Christmas, Big Mouse and Little Mouse are decorating the tree. Little Mouse scampers out to search for holly, but finds big white flakes falling from the sky. "Goodness Me!" he cries. "The sky is coming undone!" As Little Mouse's world is covered in snow, he discovers strange and frightening things all around him, but Big Mouse shows Little Mouse that snow isn't scary at all. In fact, it's magical, and a very snowy Christmas is a very good Christmas indeed! With cheery illustrations by Jane Chapman, Diana Hendry's holiday adventure is sure to tickle children, who'll delight in knowing the real identities behind Little Mouse's imagined snow monsters.

It is a typical autumn day, with blowing leaves and golden trees. But Bear doesn't feel well. He has a cold, and is feeling alone in his cave, snuffling and sneezing. Then all of his friends come to try and help him feel better. They light a fire, fluff his blanket, and make him some broth and tea, tending him lovingly. The rhyming text and oft-repeated refrain ("Bear feels sick") make this book irresistible when read aloud. Chapman's illustrations are warm and cozy. Bear is big and cuddly. His friends are shown doing small things to help him get better, including making drawings and singing him to sleep. The paintings glow with the light of the fire and the heat of the cave. What more could anyone ask when under the weather than a snug house and plenty of TLC?

No one ever thinks about Santa's extended family, Aunt Astrid, Cousin Ulla, or Brother Boris, but Santa does. One year he decides to invite everyone for Christmas dinner at the North Pole. While Mrs. C. gets things ready at home, Santa takes off to deliver presents on Christmas Eve, but returns just in time to greet all the relatives, including kids who complain about what Santa forgot to bring them, and his dear friend Lars, who brings his pet polar bear, Oscar. As it turns out, Santa's holiday is like many people's holidays: utter chaos. Arguments about everything from the TV set to new ways of mashing potatoes fly faster than Santa's sleigh. The part comic strip-style format cleverly reflects the busy, everyone-talk-at-once hum of a big family gathering and serves up plenty of funny asides. Warm and wonderful as Christmas cake fresh out of the oven, dePaola's softly hued, rounded illustrations shine with holiday spirit.