Christmas Parade - Hardcover

Sandra Boynton is a popular American cartoonist, writer, children's author, and songwriter. Since 1974, Boynton has written and illustrated over forty children's books and seven general audience books, including four New York Times Bestsellers. More than 35 million of her books have been sold—"mostly to friends and family," she says. She has also written and produced five albums of award-winning children's music. Three of her albums have been certified Gold, and Philadelphia Chickens, nominated for a Grammy, is nearing Platinum. In 2008, she was awarded the Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Cartoonists Society.

If it’s true that everybody loves a parade, then why not have one at Christmastime? In Boynton’s latest venture, a piglet hears the following noise outside his window: “BOOM biddy BOOM biddy BOOM BOOM BOOM!” It’s the sound of the Christmas parade marching down the street, led by a bass-playing elephant in full-on band regalia. On each colorful spread, a new animal—and new instrument—is introduced, from silver-bassoon-blowing chickens to a drummer cat. Then there’s a pause in the action before more animals enter, this time by numbers: one Santa rhino (sans beard), two cow saxophonists, three mice flautists, and four trombone-playing ducks. Little ones will appreciate the bouncy rhyming text, the large-type sound effects, and the charismatic cast—and they may even learn to differentiate a trombone from a tuba. The long, narrow pages allow the parade to tromp gaily across the pages, and the ending plays up the Christmas theme nicely with the motley crew caroling at pig’s door. Bring on the seasonal cheer. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Ann Kelley