How Winston Delivered Christmas

In a 24-and-a-half-chapter advent story, Smith delivers a lively holiday adventure. When a distracted boy named Oliver loses his letter to Santa in the wind and snow, Winston the mouse finds it and sets out to ensure that the letter arrives at its destination: “This letter needed to get to Santa Claus!” Memorable moments from his journey include hitching a ride on the back of Lady Prudence Merryweather-Whiskerton the Third, a cat who prefers to dine on salmon over mouse, and flying into the snowy night on a toy plane. Smith includes instructions for Christmas-themed craft activities between chapters (a pom-pom robin, a paper chain); it’s a clever way to keep readers to one chapter a day. Though the narrative’s tone can be a touch twee, the lengthy, interactive format and Smith’s plucky, at times elegantly expressive art may make this a holiday favorite. Ages 6–8.[em] (Sept.) [/em]