"Christmas spirit is expressed in joyous and reflective onomatopoeic exclamations in this new holiday staple, a follow-up to I Got the Rhythm (2014).

With her first yawn in the morning, the young black protagonist, coily ’fro on full display, excitedly wakes to the spirit of the season. Snowflakes flutter across bright illustrations, encouraging readers to inhale, feel, taste, and listen to all things Christmas as embodied in loving detail in the rhythmic language. The winter delights include ice skating (“SWISH SWISH”), caroling (“FA LA LA LA LA”), and the sparkling of Christmas lights (“BLING BLING”), whetting the appetites of young readers as they count down the days until Christmas. Each page sets a different scene, but the little girl, now with two adorable afro puffs, steals each one as she bops around town. Whether she’s letting the steam from roasted chestnuts curl around her face or advocating for others with Santa, she makes sure to show that the spirit of Christmas is not just the traditions enjoyed, but also the actions taken to share kindness and joy with others, because “THE SPIRIT IS YOU!” Author and illustrator capture children’s insistent acknowledgment of what adults often pretend not to see, in this case homeless members of the community, and they also emphasize the strength of will that allows the young protagonist to rise mightily to the occasion.

Soul-stirring and sure to put readers in a festive mood" www.Kirikusreviews.com

I loved how this book was filled with so much joy in how it was talking about all that the little girl did during the Christmas season. The pictures were very bright and beautiful as well. I would say this book would be great in any classroom up until 5th grade. ( )

A young girl and her mother enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the holiday season in this exuberant Christmas picture-book. They join a chorus singing carols, eat some tasty roasted nuts, and visit Santa Claus. They also encounter the needy, something that clearly influences the girl, who arranges for a lovely surprise for a poor street family. In the end, the girl and her parents have the Christmas spirit, and will keep it in their hearts all year...

The second picture-book from author/illustrator (and husband and wife) team Connie Schofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison, following upon their earlier I Got the Rhythm, I Got the Christmas Spirit pairs a positive, upbeat text, with no more than a few words per page, with brightly colored, energetic illustrations. The African-American family depicted are a loving, active bunch, and the conclusion of the book reemphasizes the all-importance of having that eponymous Christmas spirit. ( )

simple text - big, bold illustrations ( )