Classic, Sweet (and Not-So-Sweet) Treats for the Holidays by Lee Littlewood on Creators.com

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Classic, Sweet (and Not-So-Sweet) Treats for the Holidays

It's not too early to stock up on holiday gift books for young readers. These brand new festive releases should get kids in the mood for all things seasonal.

"The Night before Christmas" retold and illustrated by Rachel Isadora; Putnam/Penguin Publishing; 32 pages; $16.99.

I'm a firm believer that every family should own one nice copy of Clement C. Moore's 1822 classic, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," now often called "The Night before Christmas." Though there are many gorgeous, wintry versions of the picture book poem, Isadora's fresh, colorful book sets the beloved tale in an African village.

With Isadora's signature bright collages with patterned African fabric, watercolor paneling browns and a dark Santa with dreadlocks, this tale adds unusual flair but still remains true to the timeless text. Isadora presents the rhyming words, about a family about to witness the incredible arrival of Santa and his reindeer, only pepping up the classic very slightly — "A wink of his eye and a twist of his head/ Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread."

With collaged birds, animals, a sock monkey and Santa's tiger-print pants to peer upon, young readers will enjoy perusing this picture book long after Christmas.

"A Season of Gifts" by Richard Peck; Dial Books for Young Readers; 164 pages; $16.99.

Peck's homey, heartwarming Newbery winners "A Long Way from Chicago" and "A Year Down Yonder" are masterful stories with humor and plenty of poignancy. In the latest companion novel for young readers, the eccentric, bighearted Grandma Dowdel returns, this time to 1958.

Mrs. Dowdel's new small-town Illinois next-door neighbors certainly need her help, though they may not at first admit it. Shy 12-year-old Bob needs to learn how to deal with bullies, while his older Elvis-obsessed sister and minister father and wife also seem to be spinning out of control.

As Christmas gets closer, the family has much to be thankful about, in due part to the actions and generosity of the fabulous Grandma Dowdel.

An incredibly realistic yet amazing slice of life, "A Season of Gifts" should hit the spot in many kids' stockings this season.

"The Secret of Santa's Island" by Steve Breen; Dial Books for Young Readers; 32 pages; $16.99.

Santa Claus on a tropical island? That's exactly where young Sam finds himself after he plays stowaway in Santa's sleigh.

The magical island, with an amusement park, soccer game with nutcracker soldiers and even surfing elves, is free for Sam's enjoyment. Santa makes Sam his guest for one reason only —because Sam takes the time to thank him for gifts, apparently a rarity in Santa's world.

Breen's breezy, fun text adds plenty of wit (a gingerbread men band named Bread Zeppelin) and humor, yet maintains an important message. Young children will enjoy seeing a tanned, relaxed surfer Santa cavorting about in Breen's detail-rich, sunny sketches.

"The Nutcracker" retold by John Cech; illustrated by Eric Puybaret; Sterling Publishing; 40 pages; $17.95.

Another holiday must-have, E.T.A. Hoffman's timeless tale is made more modern, but still classically lovely, by author Cech and "Puff the Magic Dragon" artist Puybaret. Still the story of Marie and her broken nutcracker, Cech livens things up by shortening the text, making the tale perfect for the upper-age picture-book crowd.

Puybaret's luminous pictures are energetically rounded and uncluttered, adding to the book's younger age group appeal. The action scenes of the brave nutcracker with a noble heart are especially fun.

"The Thirteen Days of Christmas" by Tim Burton; Disney Press; 32 pages; $15.99.

Ghoulishly fun, as only Tim Burton can do, Disney's holiday rhyme — from Burton's wickedly appealing "The Nightmare before Christmas" — hikes up the gift-giving classic chillingly. With the notion that not every true love pines for partridges and French hens, especially when Jack Skellington's in charge, Burton's 13 days of holiday fun include lots of mystical references to mystic mirrors, true-love potions and a fortune card tree.

Whimsically spooky (but not too much so; after all, this is Disney), the fun illustrations are taken from Disneyland's Haunted Mansion holiday attraction. A great gift book for Burton fans of all ages, "The Thirteen Days of Christmas" is a not-too-sweet treat.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.