Erin Dealey

Season’s Greetings! It’s time to thank the wonderful Authors & Illustrators who joined us on the blog this year. And why not thank them with a #BookPairing?

A Nativity Picture Book Pairing

We welcomed superstar authors Nikki Grimes and Mitali Perkins to the blog in November, for A shiny, wonderful Christmas Book pairing + 7 Qs with Nikki Grimes & Mitali Perkins + more!

What beautiful new Christmas nativity retellings. You can read about their Personal Connections, Surprises, and how they celebrate the holidays here.

A Wacky, Wonderful Picture Book Pairing

The fabulous Elizabeth Bird popped in this month for 10 Qs + Would You Rather + THE GREAT SANTA STAKE OUT + Dan Santat surprises = Holiday Picture Book Frivolity!

You can read about those Surprises, How Freddy Melcher Got His Name, and whether Betsy would rather Meet Scrooge or the Grinch here.

I’ve brazenly paired it with DECK THE WALLS (Illus. Nick Ward / Sleeping Bear) because I’ve been singing it a LOT lately and I can hear Freddy belting out a verse or three… Can’t you?

A Middle Grade Fantasy Pairing

For middle grade fantasy fans, I suggest HOLIDAY HIGH: We Witch you a Merry Christmas, which my screenwriting pal Blake Harris co-wrote with Jennifer Tocquigny (Holiday High, 1 /Genius Cat Books) and NUTCRACKED by Susan Adrian (Yearling).

You can read fun facts about Holiday High — from Hollywood to #Kidlit — 7 Qs with author/producer/director Blake Harris here.

Bonus BOAT #BookPairing!

OK– I hear you: What about CHRISTMAS AHOY! (illus. Kayla Stark / Sleeping Bear)? Good question!

My answer: How about a TRIO of boat books instead? I suggest:

1. Jeanne Walker Harvey’s BOATS ON THE BAY (Illus. Grady McFerrin / Cameron Kids) –now available as a board book as well, which pairs perfectly with CHRISTMAS AHOY! and…
2. Kelly Rice Schmidt’s I SHIP: A CONTAINER SHIP’S COLOSSAL JOURNEY (illustrated Jam Dong / Lerner), which was recently paired with CHRISTMAS AHOY! on Dynamic Book Duos: Lyrical Books for Boat Lovers + Stem!

Did we mention that books are the gifts that keep on giving?

Thank you to all of the fabulous creatives who graced our blog for the holidays this year, and to everyone mentioned above. You are ALL amazing gifts to our #kidlit community.

Merry BOOKmas to ALL.