A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus {Review and Giveaway}

At Christmas, I always feel like Mrs. Claus gets short shrift. Yes, Santa is the one who is out delivering all the toys, but she always seems relegated to the background cooking or waiting or ensuring Santa is warm and comfortable. It isn’t exactly the world image of a wife I want either of the wee ones to have. A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus by Susie Schick-Pierce, Jeannie-Schick Jacobowitz, and Muffin Drake-Policastro helps provide a different image.

When Santa is sick with the flu, Mrs. Claus does what every woman would do. She steps into the gap and takes over from writing his letters to – yes – baking cookies to wrapping presents. As she’s about to head out to deliver the toys to all the good girls and boys, she trips but that doesn’t stop her. Santa ends up feeling well enough for his traditional duty by the end of the story, and Mrs. Claus can finally relax.

The story is fairly simple and meant for younger children as a sweet story, more to read to them than to read on their own. I have to give it props for using one of my favorite words “hullaballoo” though the book is not the most cleverly written in general. I love the idea of Mrs. Claus playing a bigger role in Christmas and in Santa’s life.

The illustrations that accompany each page of the book are the highlight. They are bright and cheery, and they help bring the story to life. They help reinforce that this is a Christmas book meant for a younger set, fitting in quite well with the story itself. The book is sweet, and I can easily see adding this to our traditional Christmas collection, one we add to year after year.

As sweet as this is – and as much as this message hits home with moms – I can see purchasing this book as a gift for other harassed moms who feel their efforts go unappreciated. The rhymes are sure to bring a smile to any mom’s face. As whimsical as it is, I have a feeling it would be better appreciated by an adult than my children.

That said, if this helps Mister Man or Little Miss gain a better sense that their Mommy isn’t the only woman who works hard and can be the hero, all the better.

One of you can win a copy of A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus. Just follow the instructions in the rafflecopter below. We’ll announce the winner in our book review giveaway column on December 16.

The winner of Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook is Anne L.

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Book Reviewer Michelle isn’t above using books to help reinforce messages she wants the wee ones to absorb. You can see how well those messages are sinking via her blog Honest & Truly!

Email Author    |    Website About Michelle M

Michelle is a stay at home mom of Mister Man (8) and Little Miss (6). When she's not out volunteering or running children to therapy or practices, you can find her in the kitchen or on her personal blog Honest & Truly where there's always a good story or new recipe or at her review blog Honest And Truly Reviews. You can also connect with her on Twitter.

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