Who doesn't love David Shannon? Have you read his book Too Many Toys? Well, The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza could be the story of when little Spencer grows up. Here we have Mr. Merriweather going completely over the top to create the most amazing Christmas display ever seen. Mr. Merriweather is inspired, enthusiastic, and dedicated, but what will the family and the neighbors have to say about his extravaganza?
Only a Star, by Margery Facklam, takes the opposite approach to the Christmas Extravaganza. In this book, a little girl asks her father what the decorations were for the first Christmas. The dad explains that the only decoration was a star, but then he describes how the star magically transformed everything, from a spider's web to the hay in the manger, into spectacular ornaments to welcome the Child. The final pages provide information about the animals that appear in the book.
Colleen Monroe tells the story of some legendary little creatures in her book The Christmas Humbugs. At first glance, one might think that these small bugs are up to nothing but mischief as they sneak into homes to bowl with ornaments and shake pine needles off the tree. The truth is, however, that they are actually on a mission to test Christmas spirit. How will you react this season when something bugs you? How strong is your spirit?