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Special delivery: North Pole
REVIEWS BY ALICE CARY Don't miss these two charming holiday books with almost identical titles.
Entertainment Weekly has called singer-songwriter Bill Harley "the Mark Twain of contemporary kids' music," and as the mother of three avid fans, I heartily agree. Harley always manages to be hilarious and slip in meaning at the same time—a tricky feat, and one he manages deftly in Dear Santa. Young James gets wrapped up in his Christmas desires, but in the end, he realizes that the true gift is in the giving. R.W. Alley's lively illustrations add to the impish fun.
By Bill Harley HarperCollins, $15.99 32 pages ISBN 0066237785
By Alan Durant Candlewick, $14.99 32 pages ISBN 0763628298
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Bill Harley's Dear Santa is subtitled "The Letters of James B. Dobbins," and consists of heartfelt letters from young James. His missives start with a list of many wants, including new hockey skates, a canoe, a tree fort and, very importantly, "No clothes!" The next day he sends another letter, adding that he would love a hockey rink in his backyard, and explaining that he hasn't done anything "horrible" to Jessica, "THE MOST ANNOYING FOUR-YEAR-OLD SISTER ON THE PLANET."
Anyone who loves The Jolly Postman books will be charmed by Alan Durant's Dear Santa Claus. A girl named Holly with a letter-writing history (Dear Tooth Fairy) now corresponds with the big man himself, receiving little letters that readers can pull out of envelopes. The correspondence is great fun, and Vanessa Cabban's illustrations sizzle with Christmas spirit on both the pages of the book and each sheet of Santa's stationery. Accompanying Santa's letters are a small Advent calendar, a paper ornament and a reindeer guide, complete with jokes. Santa keeps asking Holly what she wants, but she's afraid to voice her desire until the last minute. In the spirit of The Polar Express, Holly finally asks for and receives a midnight sleigh ride with Santa. Who could ask for more?