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!
Decorating our tree. This year we don’t have one up though:(
Decorating the Christmas tree
My kids and I baking holiday treats with Grandma!
decorating the christmas tree
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Helping with wrapping the presents.
I like buying presents
DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE
HANGING THE ICICLES THAT LIGHT UP THE HOUSE!
Going Christmas shopping.
Decorating and making holiday cookies with my daughter!
decorating outside and inside
Having holiday music playing while decorating.
decorating the tree
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Turning on lights each evening.
putting up the tree
Decorating the Christmas tree
I love the shopping!
Baking gingerbread men cookies!!!
Baking Goodies for friends and family!
Putting up the tree and the outside lights.
Our big Christmas dinner with the whole family.
baking is my favorite!!
Putting up our tree, and eating Christmas cookies too.
getting the kids dress and the food!
I like baking cookies
The baking is my favorite part!
Playing my Christmas CD’s while decorating the tree.
I love hanging lights outside!
Getting out the Christmas music!
I love getting the tree and prepare Turkey!!!
I love decorating the Christmas tree.
I love cooking and baking at Christmas!
putting up the tree and wrapping all the gifts
I enjoying finding gifts my loved ones will enjoy.
decorating and baking 🙂
Making sugar cookies and candies.
Decorating the tree and putting up the outside lights are my favorite.
I love decorating the tree!
Decorating my apartment for the holidays.
I love putting up our tree!
giving gifts is so special.
I love lights inside and out! So decorating is so fun and gets the family in such a great mood.
Decorating the tree and putting up the outside lights are my favs!
Baking cookies with my daughter.
I enjoy baking cookies for Christmas
I love buying presents
My favorite is decorating the Christmas tree!
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
I love baking for Christmas
Going through my Christmas card list and thinking of all of our family and friends.
believe it or not I love wrapping christmas gifts on christmas eve
Decorating our home inside and out makes the beginning
of the holiday season very festive!
Thanks, Cindi