Greeting card designer Mary Engelbreit, who transitioned into picture book illustrator with best-selling The Night Before Christmas, pens the first of a series of stories about likable young Ann Estelle. Ann, the self-appointed Queen of Christmas, has been working on "The List" since just after Christmas last year. After all, if she forgets anything, "that would make Christmas not quite as wonderful as it should be." So, although she has a marvelous time ice-skating with Grandma, perhaps a sparkly red skating outfit would make it better. And going sledding with her father on his old wooden sled is great, but still, it might be nice to have a brand-new plastic one.
It might sound as though Ann Estelle should really be called the Spoiled Princess of Christmas, but in truth, she’s just a normal little girl bedazzled by the "golden gift-getting opportunity" of Christmas. And--with no parental prodding whatsoever--our little heroine closes the story with the kind of moral every parent would like to hear: "Oh, Dad, it’s not just the presents that matter. Don’t you know that?" (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-During the seven days before Christmas, Ann Estelle engages in fun activities like baking cookies and going ice-skating. Most importantly, she continues to add items to the wish list that she has been keeping since last year. On Christmas day, she finally realizes that it's the fun she has had with family and friends, and not the presents, that is the most important part of the holiday. The illustrations, in typical Engelbreit style, are flat and stiff, but colorful and quirky enough to have child appeal. The story, however, is too uneventful and staid to invite repeat readings.-E. M.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
Ann Estelle is very busy working on The List. The Queen of Christmas knows there's nothing more important! How else can she get all the things she really wants?
As the Christmas countdown moves along, there's so much for the Queen to do! Sledding, baking, singing, trimming the tree . . . Ann Estelle wants to enjoy every minute. But will she manage to get The List finished in time for Santa? What's the lesson Ann Estelle really learns?
Festive artwork, brimming with good cheer and cozy detail, invites readers into Ann Estelle's world as Mary Engelbreit tells an unforgettable, merry, and heartwarming Christmas story.
Card catalog description
Although Ann Estelle focuses on her wish list as Christmas approaches, her best memories have little to do with the presents she receives.
About the Author
Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother's childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. When Mary began her career, her greeting cards were an instant success, and now her distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more. Mary's dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her edition of the night before christmas positively glows with the sense of wonder, spirited wit, and nostalgic warmth that is her signature around the world. Now, here is the first of a charming series of stories about Mary Engelbreit's irrepressible alter ego, Ann Estelle.
Queen of Christmas (Ann Estelle Stories) FROM OUR EDITORS
The Barnes & Noble Review
Mary Engelbreit, author of a bestselling version of The Night Before Christmas and other heartwarming tales, serves up this holiday treat about a girl who gets her Christmas list all set for Santa.
It's seven days before the big day, and Ann Estelle, "the self-appointed Queen of Christmas," is anxious to get her holiday wish list ready in time for Kris Kringle's arrival. Day by day, Ann Estelle thinks about another special gift to add to the list, and as Christmas Eve draws nearer, her list gets longer and longer. After she bakes cookies with her mother and puts an apron on the list, skates with her grandmother and marks down a new red skating outfit -- along with other wishes as the days go by -- the rosy-cheeked girl finally goes to sleep on Christmas Eve satisfied that she's thought of everything. The next day, Ann Estelle wakes to find that "she didn't get everything on her list" but "that the gifts she did get were absolutely perfect." And what's more, she even reminds her dad about the true meaning of Christmas before settling down for a cozy slumber.
With all the cheer and warmth that fans have grown to adore, Engelbreit pens a charmer that should be a part of every child's holiday wish list. The illustrator's bright patterns and down-home appeal fit snugly beside her accessible text, making the presentation eye-catching and exciting, especially with the Ann Estelle paper doll included with the book. A royally merry holiday read! Shana Taylor
ANNOTATION
Ann Estelle is very serious about her Christmas planning, and nothing can get in her way. Nothing, that is, except all the distracting activities that make the holiday fun, like ice-skating with her grandmother and trimming the Christmas tree. Families will fall in love with this feisty young lady as portrayed by famed illustrator Engelbreit.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Ann Estelle is very busy working on The List. The Queen of Christmas knows there's nothing more important! How else can she get all the things she really wants?
As the Christmas countdown moves along, there's so much for the Queen to do! Sledding, baking, singing, trimming the tree . . . Ann Estelle wants to enjoy every minute. But will she manage to get The List finished in time for Santa? What's the lesson Ann Estelle really learns?
Festive artwork, brimming with good cheer and cozy detail, invites readers into Ann Estelle's world as Mary Engelbreit tells an unforgettable, merry, and heartwarming Christmas story.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
It's good to be queen, as Engelbreit's (The Night Before Christmas) popular greeting card character Ann Estelle would say. Here, in the first in a planned series of picture books featuring that character, the heroine gets ready for Christmas, spending a full seven days finalizing The List-"a very, very long piece of paper on which Ann Estelle had written every single solitary item she had ever wanted or could even imagine wanting at some later date." But in between adding items to the list, Ann Estelle passes the days baking cookies with Mom, going sledding with Dad, ice-skating with Grandma, etc. When the big day finally arrives (and many things on the list do not), Ann Estelle doesn't even mind. Thanks to text that authentically captures a child's anticipation and Engelbreit's festive borders and designs, this title spotlights the meaning of the holiday with a light touch and lots of heart. An Ann Estelle paper doll is packaged with the book. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
PreS-During the seven days before Christmas, Ann Estelle engages in fun activities like baking cookies and going ice-skating. Most importantly, she continues to add items to the wish list that she has been keeping since last year. On Christmas day, she finally realizes that it's the fun she has had with family and friends, and not the presents, that is the most important part of the holiday. The illustrations, in typical Engelbreit style, are flat and stiff, but colorful and quirky enough to have child appeal. The story, however, is too uneventful and staid to invite repeat readings.-E. M. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Art & Photography
Book Info
