The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay

ELF IN THE HOUSE
by Ammi-Joan Paquette
illustrated by Adam Record

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Anika Denise.)

What it's all about...
On a snowy Christmas Eve, a little girl tip-toes from her bed to find some surprise friends in her house, including a mouse, an elf, and even the big jolly guy himself.

Why I love it...
Paquette's first book in the series, Ghost in the House, is a perennial Halloween favorite my youngest daughter loves. I purchased the new one at a signing I did with Joan back in October. I plan to wrap it up and give it to my daughter on Christmas Eve. She'll no doubt recognize and appreciate the bouncy rhymes and adorable illustrations that echo the first book.

My favorite lines...
And the ELF goes third
on this snowy Christmas Eve,
In a line dance of jingle-bell hop!
Festive friends in a row,
Down the hall they go,
Until suddenly they hear. . .
CLIP-CLOP!
 
My favorite illustrations...

What's the kid-appeal?
The best part of Christmas Eve for those that celebrate is often the anticipation! Elf in the House will ramp up holiday cheer in the countdown to Christmas.

What's the grownup appeal?
Just like the first, this book is simple, sweet, and fun to read aloud. It's the perfect book to tuck  between leaving cookies out for Santa, and that goodnight, see-you-on-Christmas-morning kiss.

Where to find/ buy Elf in The House
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Or at a school or library near you!

Ammi-Joan Paquette is the author of many books for young readers, including the spooky picture book Ghost in the House. In addition to her writing, she is a literary agent representing authors of children's books. She lives outside Boston with her family. Visit her on the web at www.ajpaquette.com.

Adam Record started doodling on a bench in church and now gets inspired by old children's books and vintage posters. He lives in Utah with his wife and three children. See more of Adam's work at www.adamrecord.com.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

This week's bookshelf pick is from Cottager Anika Denise.

Ghost in the House
by Ammi-Joan Paquette
illustrated by Adam Record

What it's all about . . .
Ghost In The House is a pitch-perfect cumulative rhyming tale about a wee ghostie who meets up with a mummy, monster, skeleton, witch and so on, in a "creepy haunted house."

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . .
It's a brilliant read-aloud that reminds me of a childhood song or game, perfect for Halloween-themed story times. The book first released in 2013, but we reach for it every year when the air turns chilly and talk of costumes and trick-or-treating begins in earnest.

Our favorite lines . . .
There's a ghost in the house,/ In the creepy haunted house,/ on this dark, spooky night, all alone.

Our favorite illustration . . .  

From GHOST IN THE HOUSE by Ammi-Joan Paquette. Illustration copyright 2013 by Adam Record.

Why kids will love it . . .
Ammi-Joan Paquette's playful rhyming text, with its steady beats and dramatic pauses, begs for kids to join in the read-aloud. Likewise, Adam Record's characters are super-cute and not too scary for little ones who will relish the appearance of each new ghoulie.

Why grown-ups will love it . . .
For much the same reasons kids will. It's fun to read aloud. (Maybe add in a tickle here and there, too.) And rumor has it, there's a Elf-themed companion book on the way—so parents and librarians can read the first book, then follow up with an all-new installment come winter.