The Street Where Santa Lives by Harriet Howe and Julia Christians, Little Tiger, 12.99 When an old man moves in on a busy street, only his little neighbour notices; with his white beard and round belly, she's convinced he's Santa. But when Santa falls ill, other neighbours must rally round to take care of him. Will he be better in time for Christmas? This sweet, funny, acutely observed picture book is a festive, joyous celebration of community.
Bear's Nap by Emily Gravett, Two Hoots, 12.99 Someone is cheeping and keeping Bear from sleeping in this increasingly uproarious picture book filled with forest-dwelling creatures and their noises. A joy to read aloud. This Is Who I Am by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane, Andersen, 12.99 A moving celebration of heritage and identity, this softly coloured picture book follows a little girl with a foot in two worlds, who is both the richness of all the worlds she belongs to and uniquely, proudly
Back when Ian Falconer's Olivia was published in 2000, it was evident that the headstrong, creative piglet at its center was based on a real little girl. In interviews, Falconer-a set designer and illustrator for the New Yorker-referred to his niece, also named Olivia, as the inspiration for his character, who went on to appear in almost a dozen books and a hit TV series. Twenty-five years later, I found the real Olivia, Olivia Falconer Crane, no longer a precocious little girl but a grown-up natural resource technician.