The 156-storey treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. Pub. MacMillan, 2022

It had to happen, Andy and Terry’s treehouse now has another 13 storeys and this isn’t the end of the matter as 169 Storey Treehouse is planned.

This episode is about Xmas and the usual scenario of exploring the new 13 added storeys of which the best is the one inhabited by Quizzy the quizzical.

When Santa Claus crashes into the treehouse and his reindeer are caught up in the branches, Xmas is threatened. Then to make matters worse Santa falls into a cloning machine and there are Santas all over the place. Which one is the true Santa? Well having a quiz is a good way but will this reveal the true Santa? read it and find out.

The usual bag of madness and mayhem is superbly illustrated by Terry Denton and half the fun of reading these stories is looking at the illustrations. Then there are the observed public holidays of which “underpants on the head” day is my favourite.

Sure to be a favourite of reluctant readers especially boys but girls have a heroine with Jill. Don’t miss this it may be the second to last with 13 to the power of 2 a likely end. The Santas having an hilarious belly fight is a highlight of this novel.

Santa Jaws by Mark Sperring, illus. Sophie Corrigan. Pub. Bloomsbury, 2020.

Shelly the shark is feeling festive at Xmas and decides to open a Santa grotto for all the little fish to visit.

Sharks are not the most trustworthy creatures in the sea and there is a certain amount of fear and hesitation about.

Shelly dresses up as santa and gets into the spirit of things. Sid the squid is enthused about meeting santa claus but can he trust a shark? Read it and see what happens.

Sophie Corrigan’s illustrations are a treat. The characters of Sid and Shelly are perfect especially the shot of Sid when after getting all enthused about meeting Santa, discovers he is a shark.

Lovely ending from a shark Santa who has never seen or built a snowman. Perfect for the summery Southern hemisphere where sharks are always in the minds of swimmers.

A Baa-rilliant Adventure with Rumbly, Tumbly & Woolly by Jennifer Somervell, Illus.Zerika van Jaarsveld. Pub.Landing Lights Press, 2020.

This is the story of the first Xmas told from the point of view of three sheep, Rumbly Tumbly and Woolly who are being looked after by shepherds at the time when Mary and Joseph are looking for a place to shelter their new born baby.

Angels appear in the night and tell of the birth of the Messiah that has been predicted. The shepherds follow the bright star to see what the fuss is and the sheep follow. Under Bethlehem are limestone caves and the sheep discovering that “it is only a baby”, make their way back but fall into underground cave.

Meanwhile the rest of the sheep are being attacked by wolves. Read it and see what happens.

The illustrations are superb. Created in the style of the time, shepherds with crooks and head gear. The manger scene is very touching and the wolves with their flashing teeth are menacing. Rumbly Tumbly and Woolly are a sight to behold. The Marx brothers in sheep’s clothing.

In the back is the History of the event including the truth about wolves and the Biblical predictions.

Kuwi’s Very Shiny Bum by Kat Merewether.

Kuwi’s Very Shiny Bum by Kat Merewether. Pub. Illustrated Publishing, 2016.

This is a Xmas picture book. A Kiwiana Xmas as Kuwi wants to give gifts to all her forest and seashore friends like seal, kakapo, hoihoi and ruru. Plus she wants her growing chick Huwi to have a good Xmas.

Kumi is inspired by a red ball that falls from the sky and looks exactly like a red nose day nose. She gets it tangled around her body and lodged on her bum.

Put the word bum in a picture book and you have kids attention immediately. Good positive story.

The illustrations are excellent and are filled with kiwiana detail. Kuwi and Huwi’s burrow is the opening scene in strong acrylic like colours. There is a buzzy bee hanging from the ceiling  and a couple of new books on the shelf – James and the Giant Kumara and The very Hungry Huhu. Look for other surprises in the illustrations.

Relates well to Kat Merewether’s other books reviewed on this blog.

Jingle Bells, Rudolph Smells by Deano Yipadee and Paul Beavis.

Jingle Bells, Rudolph Smells by Deano Yipadee and Paul Beavis. Pub. Scholastic, 2016.

This is a Wonkey Donkey type format with CD attached with Deano singing the song around which this picture book story for juniors revolves. You can play the CD to see how the song sounds then sing along with the words in the book.

It is a Xmas story, the first of the year and it will probably be popular. Once again Rudolph, he of red nose fame, comes to the rescue of Santa and his sleigh on Xmas Eve using  one of his bodily functions. The book calls it a trump, an oft used Northern England term. We call it a fart.The fart is not only smelly but it engenders heat and energy that is enough to save the day and of course it goes in Santa’s face, always guaranteed a laugh and smile when singing along.

Paul Beavis’s illustrations are excellent and he manages to give life to each reindeer. Rudolph of course will go down in history as he always does.

Not released until October 2016.