The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Sleeping Bear Books: In Review
PUBLISHED: December 4, 2008
Crystal Hayduk reviews some holiday offerings from Chelsea's Sleeping Bear Press.
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'The Legend of Papa NoÎl: A Cajun Christmas Story'By Terri Hoover Dunham; illustrated by Laura Knorr
This delightful Cajun adaptation of the story of Santa Claus was first released by Sleeping Bear Press in 2006. The author has lived in Louisiana her entire life, and comes from Cajun roots.
Santa is known as Papa NoÎl in Cajun country, and hails not from the North Pole, but from the "deepest, darkest swamp in Louisiana." He delivers toys along the Mississippi River, getting to homes by way of a canoe led by a team of alligators with French names, inspired by the author's family tree.
This story sparkles with imagination, especially as Christmas Eve problems are solved.
As I read this story to my children, I could hear the voice of the story teller as a warm-hearted, retired man with a crackling voice who spends his time fishing the bayou. It is a fun read-aloud story, made simple with the pronunciation guide to French words.
For the music lover, the book's inside cover pictures an alligator band with the words to "He'll Be Coming Down the River," which can be sung to the tune of "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain."
The illustrations are perfectly suited to the story. Papa NoÎl wears a straw hat decorated with holly, a striped shirt, and blue jeans held in place with suspenders. The team of alligators, personified with toothy grins and expressing emotion based on their conversation, made us laugh out loud.
'The Night Henry Ford Met Santa' By Carol Hagen; illustrated by Matt Faulkner
This book exceeded my expectation of what a fun holiday book should be. It's based on historical fact, set in the Motor City, exemplifies close family ties, and whimsically answers the question, "What if...?"
The story begins in 1908, with Henry Ford puzzling over how to make his Model T affordable for the average family. Taking his son's suggestion, he writes to Santa for advice. When the master toy maker shares his secret, the future of auto manufacturing is changed forever.
Hagen includes a note to readers about the real history behind the story and how she did her research. She writes that while touring Ford's home in Dearborn she read his words "...inscribed above the stairwell: 'Whatever is desirable and right is never impossible.' ...this quote became the guiding idea for my story. I wanted to show that children can teach adults to dream, and that miracles can happen when love flows from an innocent heart and becomes the most unlikely source of inspiration."
Illustrations are colorful; with clothing, furniture, and Santa images that come right out of the early twentieth century.
Reading this book reminded me that it has been too long since our family last visited the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, and what a fun and educational experience it can be for a winter day. Consider the possibility of a family gift - this book along with tickets to the museum. The kids will love a day spent together.
Now, if only Santa could solve the economic crisis of the Big Three.
'What Cats Want for Christmas'
By Kandy Radzinski
Kandy Radzinski is both author and illustrator of this book, released in 2007. Sleeping Bear Press reported that "...sales were through the roof, and ...Radzinski was widely acclaimed."
Each page highlights one cat, along with a rhyming "Dear Santa" letter revealing the cat's innermost Christmas wishes. I've never owned a cat, nor do I know any very well, but my cat-loving friends have assured me that Radzinski seems to intuitively know what the cats' deepest desires likely are.
My youngest children immediately noticed that the cats in this book have gourmet taste in food, and know quality in clothing. The whole family agreed that our favorite cat was the one with the ribbon around her neck asking for someone to love her.
This book would be enjoyed by cat lovers of all ages, and reading it could well become an annual holiday tradition.
'What Dogs Want for Christmas'
By Kandy Radzinski
After the rousing success of the 2007 book, What Cats Want for Christmas, Radzinski has written a companion book to delight dog lovers of all ages.
The format is the same, with each page highlighting a dog of a different breed with a rhyming letter to Santa. Her paintings are beautiful and realistic as the personalities of the dogs shine through.
I have owned several dogs and have many dog friends, so I can attest that Radzinski seems to know the hearts of canines as she reveals the dogs' holiday wishes and behaviors. When Goldie decides to share the plate of gingerbread cookies set out for Santa, or when the Scottish Terrier finishes his romp in the snow with his coat covered in ice balls, for example, my children and I began to think about all the other dogs we know who do those things.
Like the cat book, the dog book is short enough for even the youngest listeners, a definite plus for young families wanting to start traditions of holiday reading with their children. But probably my favorite aspect of the dog book as a mother was the series of "Remember when..." statements my children came up with afterwards.
Radzinski's cat and dog books can help to increase children's compassion for all of earth's creatures by helping them to comprehend that animals have desires and imagine for themselves what those desires might be.
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