SANTA DUCK

By David Milgrim

(for the youngest)

Nicholas Duck wants to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas (to avoid more socks and underwear.) As he leaves his house, he finds a Santa hat and wears it as off he goes. As he moves along, everyone mistakes him for Santa and each gives him his own long list.

However, Santa Duck is still looking for the real Santa. THE DOG WHO

SAVED SANTA

By True Kelley

(Preschool, Primary)

The head elf was frantic. Everyone was working too hard, even Rodney, Santa’s dog. Santa (who is a little boy here) was no help. He was dozing and watching TV.

The reader will feel great sympathy for Rodney, who is trying so hard. Finally he has to take charge. Among other things, he “gave Santa driver’s ed and increased the deerpower on the sleigh.”

There is even a surprise ending.

LET IT SNOW

By John Green,

Maureen Johnson,

and Lauren Myracle

(High School)

Subtitled “Three Holiday Romances,” Let It Snow takes place in a blinding snowstorm. There are three linked novellas in which the young protagonists grow and learn and seem to have a chance to live happily ever after. These popular young-adult authors are not overly sweet, but tell the stories with humor and appropriate adventure.

In Jubilee Express, Jubilee is sent to her southern grandmother’s for Christmas, but her train is stalled in the snow.

While she is meeting and being rescued by a young man (guess how that encounter turns out!), we move to the next story, A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle.

Here we have Tobin and his friend trying to get to the Waffle House where Jubilee has just been They hope to meet the cheerleaders from the stalled train who are waiting out in the storm, but it is his “old” friend who ends up entrancing Tobin.

Meanwhile, Addie, who has a lot of growing up to do, begins that journey at a nearby Starbucks and also finds some romantic joy in Patron Saint of Pigs.

Let It Snow is refreshing and original and just right at this season. All of these books are available at the Mary Willis Library.