Dog's First Christmas: A Board Book

Toddler-PreS--This adorable follow-up to Dog's First Baby celebrates the wonders of the Christmas season with tongue-in-cheek humor. Dog introduces himself and Baby, and the story turns to the dog offering advice to Baby. Through wisdom presumably born of experience, Dog shares that ornament balls aren't for throwing, and there isn't a need to check the Christmas tree for squirrels. These life lessons and humor may go over some young readers' heads, but adults are sure to get a chuckle. Other seasonally appropriate traditions include baking, crafting, hanging stockings by the fire with care, and unwrapping presents. Nelson again features beautiful and striking mixed-media collage artwork. The palette incorporates the deep reds and greens of Christmas in contrast to mustard, royal blue, and a few shades of pink. Baby wears Christmas-themed PJs and other one-piece outfits and has a single blue coiled curl for hair, while the adult has black hair with blue squiggles. Both Baby and adult have light brown skin and when caroling, they sing to another family with light brown skin who have a menorah in the window. VERDICT A must purchase.--Sarah Sieg

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