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Seven Reasons to Add These Two Books to Your Holiday Reading Stack, If You’re So Judy Moody & Stink: The Holly Joliday<\/strong><\/em>:<\/font><\/center> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1). As the earth gets hotter (depressing, but true) you know you pine for the holiday snow (that is, if you don’t already live in a very snowy part of the country). It’s going to be in the mid-70s here in middle Tennessee tomorrow. Humbug. Stink, Judy Moody’s little brother, also really wants a big snowfall. He and Judy live in Virginia, and “my big sister says there’s too much globe warming. My big sister says there’s like a billion-to-one chance for snow this year,” Stink tells the new mailman, Jack Frost. <\/p>\n 2). There is a mailman named Jack Frost. Who looks like Santa. <\/p>\n 3). The book is briskly-paced and entertaining (if not a tad predictable in terms of the holiday story line), just as the rest of this series is. If Judy Moody had existed when I was a prepubescent girl, I’d have adored her and her well-crafted tween tales. <\/p>\n 4). Peter H. Reynolds’ full-color illustrations. I think he’s at his best when doing these very child-centered books (and less these adult books disguised as children’s books<\/a><\/strong>). <\/p>\n 5). The sparkly cover is not irritating — not actual glitter that comes off on your hands, which would piss off Fuse<\/a><\/strong> mightily. And with reason. <\/p>\n 6). There is a Hawaiian-themed Christmas party in the narrative. And “Mele Kalikimaka” is one of my favorite holiday tunes. Just sayin’. <\/p>\n 7). For all their bickering, the book ends on a lovely, sweeter-than-your-Mama’s-Christmas-cookies note that manages not to be Too Much, as Judy Moody shows she has a big ‘ol soft spot for her brother after all. And there may or may not be real snow. And, if there is, it doesn’t really matter after what Judy does for Stink. A rousing-yet-tender tale which will please fans of the series. <\/p>\n
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. . . Which is Rather Gimmicky, I Know, but I’ve Got a Lot to do This Week Yet Still Want to Mention These Books. So Be It.<\/p>\n