It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I am breaking from my usual "blaiku" form to let you know of a couple of terrific books for the holidays in time to buy them for gifts.

HERE COMES SANTA CAT by Deborah Underwood with illustrations by Claudia Rueda. Dial, 2014.

Cat worries that he has not been a nice cat. Will Santa forget him? The expressions on Cat's face are perfect fodder against the questions and comments posed by our outside-the-book narrator as Cat learns the important lesson of the season. HERE COMES EASTER CAT is a perfect companion.

THE ANIMALS' SANTA by Jan Brett. Putnam, 2014.

A new book from Brett is always a treat. As usual, there is much going on in the illustrations especially the panels that frame each double page spread. Who is the animal that brings gifts each year to the animals? There are plenty of clues for careful readers.