Our favorite holiday picture books & my virtual book tour

December 9, 2025 — A few of you shared your favorite holiday picture books with me — a warm thank you to each of you! I asked the question on my new Facebook author page. And on my virtual author tour page (more on that later).

Gwen Elliott Shavalier named The Night Tree by Eve Bunting and A Fishmas Carol, The Night Before Christmas for Fish and Their Friends by Jill Kearney. When their oldest daughter was 5, she received A Fishmas Carol as a gift. “She is now an aquatic animal veterinarian,” Gwen wrote with a smiley emoji! Wow — the potential influence of books on children is incredible! I don’t know the whole story, but it seems a reasonable assumption that the book played some role. If/when you read this, Gwen, tell us more!

“She recently gifted this book to her sister who is expecting our first grandchild any day.” How exciting and sweet, passing down a book she loves. And congratulations! I met Gwen and Ron, now her husband, in our dorm, 5W Wilson Hall at Michigan State University.

I hadn’t heard of Night Tree and looked it up and it sounds like a charming story of a young boy’s family tradition of picking out a favorite tree in the quiet, night woods. They don’t cut it down — they decorate it with popcorn balls, apples, tangerines and seed balls — all treats for the animals. I love this idea. On Christmas Day, we cut toast into shapes with cookie cutters and cover it in peanut butter and bird seed to hang in the trees with ribbons out back for the birds. Early in the new year, we visit the rescued raptors at the Leslie Science Center. As an annual gift, we “adopt” birds in the boys and each others’ names. I’d love to hear some of your holiday traditions that involve wildlife.

Jennifer Brown Rodman loves her copy of The Night Before Christmas, by Clement-Clarke Moore and illustrated by Mary Engelbreit “My favorite,” she wrote. I met Jennifer through my cousin, Barry Rodman. Engelbreit is a famous American illustrator and entrepreneur, known for her whimsical, distinctive style on books, calendars, greeting cards and home products.

Nancie Janitz wrote, “Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree came by special delivery! You gave it to us, I think, and it became my favorite.” 

It was great to hear from a friend I met in high school for this post. I’ve gifted the book by Robert Barry to many people, because it’s my favorite. Most recently, to our grandnieces and nephews. I still have our childhood copy of Mr. Willowby. We read it to our boys over the holidays when they were younger. I was delighted to see a colorized, updated version of the book years ago, when our boys were still small. That’s great staying power. The original was printed in black and light green ink. Barry must have also illustrated the book, as no illustrator is credited.

Another holiday book that’s special to me is How Six Found Christmas. It’s an older book, but I discovered it when our boys were young. It’s a sweet story of a little girl who, not knowing what a “Christmas” is, goes on a quest through the Great Snow Forest. She meets up with animal friends on her journey through the woods: a cat, dog, fox, hawk, mockingbird. They finally find “something” (I won’t spoil it) and each decides that it must be a Christmas, for various reasons, involving their keen senses. A very charming and original story!

My husband, Tim, said his favorites are (also) Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree and How the Grinch Stole Christmas — what a delightful classic with a beautiful message about the meaning of Christmas for children and all of us.

On my Children’s Book Review virtual book tour page, someone commented that she especially loved the Christmas stories in Little Golden Books. Remember those?

The Children’s Book Review Virtual Book Tour

I’m on a virtual book tour that began in late November and will continue through mid-December. (I decided to spring for some paid marketing to see if it helps my book’s visibility/sales.) I won’t know for sure about early sales for another month or so. It takes a while for reports to come in from Amazon and other major retailers (quarterly).  

You can see the various “tour stops” linked from the schedule, with many more to come. Best of all — no travel required! I love to travel, but this is a convenient way to do a book tour. Remember the Mom (Bonnie Hunt) in Cheaper by the Dozen? She had to leave her 12 kids home with Dad (Steve Martin) and all heck broke loose. No offense Dads, it was a comedy.

You can enter the contest in a wide variety of ways, as you’ll see. I’m ecstatic that as of this writing, there are over 3,700 entries (people can enter multiple times, and they do). The Grand Prize is signed copies of Into the Thicket and How Happy Is a Lark?, cute rabbit and singing lark stuffies and custom stickers from the Thicket illustrations. Three signed copies of Into the Thicket are also prizes.

So far, my favorite review was the one by Deliciously Saavy. It literally brought tears to my eyes, it’s so kind and thoughtful. There’s an author interview by Life Is What It’s Called, too. They asked some good questions. I appreciate having time to write out the answers ahead of time! 

Next event

I have an event called Books and BBQ Friday, Dec. 12 from 6 - 9 pm at Perfect Scenario, Saline. They’re selling tickets for entry and from what I can tell, your entry ticket also buys you a book. The BBQ dinner is another ticket and there’s a bourbon and rye tasting included, with five pours. It’s not a children’s event, of course, but I figure it’s the adults who buy books for children. Sounds like there will be a number of local authors there, including the Ypsilanti’s own Ken MacGregor, who will sell his plethora of horror books. I haven’t seen a list of the other authors, so it will be a mystery. I love a good mystery.

Speaking of mysteries, two TV programs we’re watching now are Stranger Things and Severance. We started Stranger Things over again from Season 1. Wow, I had forgotten what an incredible show it is. Our son is seeing it for the first time. My husband and I are on Season 2 of Severance. What a bizarre concept and a show that keeps us guessing. Are you watching either of these? Let me know what you think of them. (comments on social media and/or my website contact page).

Ask any author and I’ll bet they’ll tell you that one of the best gifts you can give them is to review their book! I’d love it if you could even write a sentence or two with your honest opinions. I’m gathering lots of reviews with a program I’m sure I’ve written about before, Goodnightreads. 

I wish you a cozy and magical holiday season! Thank you for reading. As always, I’m truly grateful for you and your support.