The Crayons’ Christmas

The holiday season is underway at Duncan’s house, and with it comes a flurry of mail—for his crayons. In envelope- and package-style pouches that occur throughout, readers will find crayoned correspondence and holiday cards, along with decorations, a foldout game, and other interactive items. Peach’s parents, living the good life in Florida, send much-yearned-for clothes in paper-doll format, including a jazzy purple tux. Duncan isn’t totally neglected: Gray, who is visiting relatives in Tennessee, sends Hanukkah greetings and a punch-out dreidel; Neon Red and Esteban include a mixed-up map of their world travels. Some readers may yearn for a little more of the obstreperous, opinionated personalities evident in Daywalt and Jeffers’s previous books, but the crayons’ ending offering—a pop-up tribute to the boy “who had always given them love, respect, and even a home”—rounds out the book’s meaningfully handmade feel. Ages 3–7. [em](Oct.) [/em]