Red & Green

With the bold visual force of traffic signals, die-cut spreads from the late Ehlert are splashed with super-saturated reds, magentas, and greens in this memorable update of "A Visit from St. Nicholas." A decorated wreath with zigzag edges first opens onto words in large white type: "It was a cold, wintry night, / and all through the house, // not a creature was stirring...// except a small mouse!" Big, bold forms accompany the familiar-sounding text--a hand-cut snowflake represents "new-fallen snow," and other lines accompany images of a snowperson, a pine festooned with ornaments, and a tray of cookies whose shapes duplicate forms seen earlier. After taking a judicious taste of the treats, the mouse settles down before an unexpected interruption by a familiar-looking set of boots. Hi-vis elements and a seek-and-find sensibility lend visual zip to this winning variation on a classic. Ages up to 8. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 1--Accompanied by digital recreations of the late Ehlert's cut-paper collages, here is a twist on a holiday classic based on Clement C. Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas." The story follows a mischievous mouse on Christmas Eve. Throughout the night, the mouse rustles around the house, hears a clatter, and eats some Christmas cookies before Santa arrives. The mouse's rhyming tale will entertain practicing readers and surprise those who expect the classic poem. With bold, contrasting colors, basic shapes create vivid cut-paper collage scenes. The pigment of each page is rich and will appeal to young pre-readers. Although the mouse eats Santa's treat, young readers will laugh at the little creature's adventure on Christmas Eve. VERDICT A funny picture book for pre- and early readers. Pair with Ehlert's Color Zoo, and with other books for low vision, such as Hervé Tullet's Press Here.--Hilary Tufo