Angelina's Christmas

This book is fun to read at Christmas time. It is good for k-2nd grade readers. It is challenging to read but fun.

This book is a good example of a warm feeling fantasy. As a personified community of mice prepare for Christmas, the local postman is feeling lonely, as he has no family around to celebrate. However, Angelina thinks of a wonderful idea by inviting him to her school's Christmas play. The postman shows up in his Santa Clause uniform, and the children love it! Overall, he does not have a lonely Christmas, because he is invited to the Christmas play every year after, and Angelina has a new member in her audience.

Age Appropriateness: Primary

Media: Mixed Media ( )

Genre: Fantasy
Age Appropriateness: Primary
Review: This book is a good example of fantasy because the story includes a personified mouse, Angelina Ballerina. One day, she sees old Mr. Bell all alone in his cottage at Christmastime. She decides to bring him some holiday cheer. At the same time, Henry, her little cousin, is worrying that he won’t see Santa Clause. She brings gifts to Mr. Bell with Henry, and they realize there’s a real live Santa Clause in their own town and it is Mr. Bell. This story is believable but would not happen in reality because of the personified animals.
Media: This book is a good example of ink and wash and pencils. The characters are drawn with pencils to emphasize detail. Other background scenery is created with ink and wash. The illustrator captures the readers with the colors and detailed pictures. ( )

Angelina notices that her elderly neighbor Mr. Bell is all alone and prepares a Christmas surprise for him. Mr. Bell comes to their Christmas show as Santa, and is never lonely at Christmas again because he is asked back every year. ( )