Qwhether we offer it a few days before the arrival of Santa Claus, to better wait, or whether we slip it under the tree, to put even more stars in the eyes of the little ones, the illustrated album embodies marvel the spirit of Christmas.
Inhabited by tenderness, illuminated with colours, filled with cuddly animals, naughty or well-read elves, lost or enchanted foxes and, of course, a cheerful gallery of colorful Santa Clauses, this selection, designed for little ones from 3 to 7 years old, declines all the delights of the favorite holiday of children… like the older ones.
The most dreamlike
A night
Hiding under his quilt, a book in his hands, a little boy dreams of going to the other side of the mirror and becoming a writer too. But how to do it ? A small noise in the attic makes him prick up his ears. Surprise ! An elf lives in the toy box, which takes on surprising proportions in this winter night. And this elf does not make toys, but, precisely, stories! He is going to confide all his secrets to her… But that’s not counting a disturbing witch, and a strange dive into a deep forest.
Very poetic, embarking the child and the adult in a universe of dreams and creativity, this very inventive text is accompanied by marvelous illustrations: warm colors, striking contrasts, abundance of objects, characters and movements in a style to both very classic and beautifully contemporary. A nice winter trip.
A night by Grégoire Solotareff and Julien de Man (L’École des loisirs, 40 p., €18).
The most fun
Operation Super Christmas
Let’s go for the “Good night” operation! Like every year, Santa Claus is preparing for his tour. Yes, but there, everything is complicated: his reindeer are tired, his costume has tired him, his sleigh has been lent and it has not been returned to him. It’s revival time for the children’s favorite bearded man! Is Santa Claus giving us a little midlife crisis?
To replace the reindeer, here he is recruiting his assistants among a disconcerting fauna (owl, elephant, dog, crocodile…), making himself a green suit to change a little from the red, and building a moon-propelled rocket – yes, just that ! Through its crazy adventures, this slightly punk “Super” Christmas dusts off the archetypes. Pop colors, fun line, but also QR code to flash and Santa Claus to cut out, this beautiful album energizes the holidays. Funky !
Operation Super Christmas by Martine Laffon and Misspaty (Glénat, 80 p., €14.50) READ ALSOHow to get kids excited about reading
The most mischievous
Father Leon
But who are these masked goblins who enter through the chimney, looking like they want to do bad things? And why are they carrying the two televisions and the two computers, the two chess sets and all the umbrellas, as well as a thousand and one treasures, of the family who lives here? And this father Léon who puts all that in his truck, what are his intentions? Of course, we won’t say anything, but the fall of this clever little album, beyond the surprise it provokes, also raises relevant questions about our hyperconsumption and the importance of sharing. Very pop in its colors, with striking contrasts that mark the eye and the mind, this tale full of mischief provokes laughter and discussion.
Father Leon by Gilles Baum and Matthieu Maudet (The School of Recreation, 32 p., €12.50)
the cutest
December 24
All the animals of the North Pole, Montmartre the reindeer, Esmé the penguin, Louise the walrus, Fanny the snow hare, Bruno the polar bear and even William the grumpy fox, are in turmoil. They heard about Christmas, this holiday that humans celebrate with such strange things as a decorated tree, a large fireplace, socks to fill with gifts and a whole bunch of traditions that are not easy to respect when you live in a great expanse of white snow!
But, thanks to their inventiveness, their fraternity and the tenderness that unites them, the animals manage to put together a Christmas decor enchanting enough to bring joy to their hearts. Will Santa Claus find them? And if the most beautiful gift was not, basically, the joy of preparing together? Sublimely illustrated, with chewable animals and sublime landscapes, this very touching tale also appeals to parents.
December 24 by Arthur Drouin and Geneviève Després (editions D’eux, 32 p., €22.95)
READ ALSOWhat to read, what to see, at what age: our cultural and educational guide
The most tender
Meet at the North Pole
In the coldest of winter, in the thick snow, a little vixen is looking for something to eat. But she finds nothing… when, suddenly, under her paws, a house, buried under the white. As she sneaks in, she falls into the arms of a big, bearded man, who seems worn out with fatigue, and quickly falls asleep, leaving her the remains of his meal. Cuddles, games and food: the little vixen has found a home. But who is his mysterious benefactor, who, from winter to spring, then from summer to autumn, manufactures toys and objects, undresses a multitude of letters and watches in the sky for the arrival of his reindeer?
It’s hard not to melt when reading this pretty tale to children, amazed as much by the sweetness of this beautiful story as the beauty of its illustrations, deliciously colored, full of life and delightful details.
Meet at the North Pole by Polly Faber and Richard Jones (Albin Michel Youth, 32 p., €12.90)
The most wonderful
snow fox
Little Lucy doesn’t like the chalet where her Mum takes her for the Christmas holidays. Her dad is gone and she feels alone. Putting her nose outside, she sees a white fox, which happily drags her away, creating a rain of magical colors in its wake. In the darkness of this sad winter, he shows the little girl a path to play and a path to light.
Handling with tact and lightness the motives of mourning and loneliness, snow fox is an ode to tenderness and wonder. Plunging our eyes into a bath of blue with a thousand shades, this very beautiful album delights our pupils with the appearance of fantastic colors, like so many little Christmas miracles. Gorgeous
snow fox by Alexandra Page and Stef Murphy (Milan, 32 p., €12.90)