Not only is today Christmas Eve, it is also Eggnog Day!

If you love eggnog then I suggest you have a glass or two before you read Eggnog Murder. It's actually three mysteries in one volume: Eggnog Murder, by Leslie Meier; Death by Eggnog, by Lee Hollis; and Nogged Off by Barbara Ross. Three cozy stories all using eggnog as the cause of death, this is a great read for a stormy winter afternoon. Maybe with hot chocolate or mulled cider ..... ;-)

Remember Musher's Night Before Christmas from the March 15th post? Once I'd read that I started to notice many other versions of the old standard, from one set in Cajun country and the Ozarks, to ones for truckers or teachers. Because I have friends with family who work for their local fire department (here and Canada) I went for Firefighter's Night Before Christmas, by Kimbra Cutlip and illustrated by James Rice. What starts out as a quiet night for those working the Christmas shift becomes anything but when a mysterious snow blowing fire truck appears, and they are called out in response to the alarm. Again, be sure to read this one out loud!

Harold and his purple crayon are back in Harold at the North Pole, by Crockett Johnson. It's Christmas Eve and there are problems ... Harold still needs a tree, Santa is snowed in, what's to be done? I've often thought I would have enjoyed watching Mr. Johnson at work!

Here is an interactive book that requires no batteries, tablet, smart phone, etc. (It's also part of a series, so if you like it, check for other titles). Can You See What I See? Night Before Christmas. Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve, by Walter Wick. And while I enjoyed it, I'm not sure today's youngsters would, but I can always hope! :-)

It's Christmas Eve and the barnyard is anything but quiet. Could they ever all be friends and get along again? The Barnyard Night Before Christmas, by Beth Terrill and illustrated by Greg Newbold will answer that for you.

This time the poem is traditional (and in the complete form) as are the illustrations ... well, sort of! The Night Before Christmas: a Brick Story, by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Amanda Brack is the familiar poem done with Lego bricks! Amazing!

Reading Hermit With Dog