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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.
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!
Michelle Tucker says
Decorating our tree. This year we don’t have one up though:(
Michelle B says
Decorating the Christmas tree
Angela P says
My kids and I baking holiday treats with Grandma!
ryan minton says
decorating the christmas tree
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Don says
Helping with wrapping the presents.
allie says
I like buying presents
EMMA L HORTON says
DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE
ANGEL JACKLYN says
HANGING THE ICICLES THAT LIGHT UP THE HOUSE!
Angela E. says
Going Christmas shopping.
Jen F says
Decorating and making holiday cookies with my daughter!
Jblanton says
decorating outside and inside
Lori D. says
Having holiday music playing while decorating.
nannypanpan says
decorating the tree
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Amy says
Turning on lights each evening.
Idaho Jill says
putting up the tree
Jennifer M. says
Decorating the Christmas tree
Megan Parsons says
I love the shopping!
Kelley F says
Baking gingerbread men cookies!!!
Kelsey Apley says
Baking Goodies for friends and family!
Heather says
Putting up the tree and the outside lights.
Chuck says
Our big Christmas dinner with the whole family.
wendy rozema says
baking is my favorite!!
Van says
Putting up our tree, and eating Christmas cookies too.
sindy murray says
getting the kids dress and the food!
Missy says
I like baking cookies
Mary Somerville says
The baking is my favorite part!
June says
Playing my Christmas CD’s while decorating the tree.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I love hanging lights outside!
Lawanna says
Getting out the Christmas music!
Narathip Wall. says
I love getting the tree and prepare Turkey!!!
Anne N. says
I love decorating the Christmas tree.
Melissa L. says
I love cooking and baking at Christmas!
samantha w says
putting up the tree and wrapping all the gifts
Justine says
I enjoying finding gifts my loved ones will enjoy.
gaitha says
decorating and baking 🙂
Kerrie Mayans says
Making sugar cookies and candies.
Chip says
Decorating the tree and putting up the outside lights are my favorite.
Staci A says
I love decorating the tree!
Garrett says
Decorating my apartment for the holidays.
Liz says
I love putting up our tree!
Anne says
giving gifts is so special.
Janet says
I love lights inside and out! So decorating is so fun and gets the family in such a great mood.
Janet says
Decorating the tree and putting up the outside lights are my favs!
amyc says
Baking cookies with my daughter.
Michelle says
I enjoy baking cookies for Christmas
Barbara Platt says
I love buying presents
Janet W. says
My favorite is decorating the Christmas tree!
Terra Heck says
My favorite is wrapping the presents. I like to make them look nice and neat. It’s also soothing and relaxing for me to wrap presents. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Chelsea says
I love baking for Christmas
Wendy says
Going through my Christmas card list and thinking of all of our family and friends.
angie says
believe it or not I love wrapping christmas gifts on christmas eve
Cindi says
Decorating our home inside and out makes the beginning
of the holiday season very festive!
Thanks, Cindi