Jingle Bells: A Magical Cut-Paper Edition

Puttipipat follows The Night Before Christmas (2007) with an equally intricate and lovely version of Pierpont’s beloved holiday song, first performed in 1857. Reprising the silhouette illustrations of the previous book, Puttipipat pictures an elegant sleigh and its equally elegant occupants “dashing through the snow,” past spindly bare trees and the steeples and towers of a small town on their way to a chateau-like destination. Delicate cut-out shapes (such as the “skyline” of the town) and restrained use of red, green, and gold accents give the book a polished, sophisticated presence, while a final pop-up, featuring an enormous Christmas tree flanked by builds and revelers, concludes the book (and the song) on a celebratory note. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)