Little Critter's Christmas Book
The new adventures of Mercer Mayer's little critter Series
What’s inside...
Renowned author/illustrator Mercer Mayer presents his lovable characters in a Critter Christmas that's sure to be fun for everyone. In this classic, Little Critter is doing all he can to get ready for Christmas! From building snow critters to visiting Santa to wrapping presents, Little Critter celebrates the holiday season with his family in a way only Little Critter can.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of Little Critter's Christmas and why?
How do you think Little Critter felt when preparing for Christmas? Can you share a time you felt the same way?
What are some ways Little Critter showed kindness and teamwork in the story?
If you could give any character in the book a gift, who would you choose and what would you give them?
How does celebrating Christmas with family and friends make Little Critter feel? How does it make you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story by asking open-ended questions. Share your own experiences related to the themes in the book to foster a deeper connection. Highlight moments in the book where characters display kindness, teamwork, or other positive behaviors, and discuss the importance of these traits. Ask your child to draw a scene from the book that they found memorable, which can help them think more deeply about the story’s themes and characters. Create a warm, inviting reading environment where your child feels comfortable discussing and exploring the book's ideas together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The spirit of giving
Explanation: Little Critter shows the joy of preparing and giving gifts to loved ones, demonstrating that the act of giving is just as rewarding as receiving.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their affection and strengthen relationships by making thoughtful gestures towards family and friends during holidays or special occasions.
Example Lesson: The importance of family traditions
Explanation: The story highlights the Critter family participating in various Christmas traditions, which reinforces the value of family bonding and creating lasting memories.
Real-World Application: Children can appreciate and take part in their own family customs, understanding that these traditions provide a sense of identity and belonging.
Example Lesson: Helpfulness and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, Little Critter helps with holiday preparations, showing that many tasks are easier and more enjoyable when done together.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be cooperative and assist others in collaborative tasks at home or in school, fostering a collaborative spirit.
Example Lesson: Appreciating the simple joys
Explanation: The story conveys happiness in simple activities like decorating the tree and making cookies, emphasizing that joy doesn’t have to come from grand or expensive gestures.
Real-World Application: Children learn to find happiness in everyday moments and understand that material possessions are not the only source of happiness.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: When challenges arise during the Christmas preparations, Little Critter and his family find solutions together, showcasing resilience and adaptability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to approach problems with a calm and positive attitude, realizing that most issues can be solved with creativity and teamwork.