Seven little bear cubs prepare for Christmas in this cute holiday picture-book, making cards for their friends and cousins, decorating a tree, and joining their father - Santa Bear - in his workshop. Falling asleep safe and warm while their father takes off on his sleigh, they wake up the next morning to a very merry Christmas...

Published in 2008, The Christmas Bears is the thirteenth picture-book I have read from author/artist Chris Conover, and the seventh that she both wrote and illustrated. It pairs a simple text in rhyme with colorful, cute artwork. The bear characters include all different kinds of ursine species (polar bears, grizzly bears, and so on), and their geographic ranges are given on the endpapers, which show a map of the world. I don't know that this one is destined to be a seasonal favorite of mine, but it was sweet enough, and is one I would recommend to picture-book readers looking for cute animal-character Christmas stories. ( )

The Bears are enjoying holiday baking and decorating as Pa makes toys in his workshop. On Christmas Eve, their friends come over for supper. There are treats galore, but soon Pa is off and away in his sleigh. There are toys to deliver, and it's time for the little ones to go to bed. When the cubs wake up, they discover it's a very special day for all.

The Bottom Line: The rhyming text makes this picture book easy to read for beginners, but the illustrations are the real treat. With lots of details and Christmas colors of red and green, the illustrations will draw you in. I especially enjoyed the map showing where all the different types of bears and their friends come from too. This is one story you'll read over and over with your little one. Enthusiastically recommended holiday reading for kids ages 3 - 8.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )