Here is my pick of the best picture book to share with your little people on Christmas Eve: 'Rudie Nudie Christmas,' written and illustrated by Emma Quay. Mr 3 and I have enjoyed reading this book in the lead up to Christmas - it exudes a joyous sense of festive fun and excitement that young readers (and carers!) will readily relate to.
In this follow-up book to the acclaimed 'Rudie Nudie' (also a favourite in my household), Nudie One and Two dash through the household on Christmas Eve - playing hide and seek, running around the Christmas tree, and popping a Christmas cracker!
Then a more serene mood settles as Nudie One and Two gaze at the Christmas lights, hang their stockings, put festive pyjama's on, and get tucked up into bed, all ready for Santa's arrival.
Adults will relate to the infectious joy and excitement that young children spread throughout the household in the lead up to Christmas - and may get a laugh as they relate to the challenges of getting young hyped-up children to settle down into bed.
The playful use of rhyme and rhythm encourages audience participation and makes this book a pleasure to read aloud, while designed to enhance an early appreciation of language and literacy.
This book is a work of art - from the visually appealing front cover, with shiny gold foil writing, to the stunning endpapers, displaying cut-out paper stars. The illustrations by Emma Quay are exquisite - sprinkled with stars, bubbles and snowflakes to provide a truly magical viewing experience. The pencil sketches of the children emanate movement and exhilaration, as they make their nudie dash around the house.
I love the splashes of red on the Santa hat worn by the small boy, and the bright green of the mistletoe leaves, against the soft pastel colour palette used. The faces of the two young children are simply adorable, as they peep out from the steamy shower screen, blow bubbles, and snuggle under the blankets. There is so much warmth in these little humorous, tender and realistically depicted scenes of family life.
As a parent of three small boys, I can very much relate to the buzz of energy young children seem to get after a bath or shower, right before bedtime!
This is a magical and joyful celebration of sharing Christmas with little people. I suspect this will be a bedtime favourite in my household for a long time to come!
Published by HarperCollins Australia