In three episodic vignettes, Henry and Mudge help make cookies (Henry makes a mess while Mudge licks it up), go caroling, and celebrate Christmas morning with a big family pancake breakfast, a walk in the snow, and opening presents. The warm text and the bustling illustrations capture the spirit and excitement of the holiday.

PreS-Gr 2-In three chapters, Henry and his 180-pound behemoth of a dog bake cookies for their relatives, go caroling with Uncle Ed and Annie, and open presents and eat breakfast together on Christmas morning. The scene at the table, in which all of the adults "accidentally" drop pancakes, muffins, and ham for Mudge, is priceless. Rylant's words and Stevenson's pictures work together to create a charming and funny holiday title that beginning readers and their grown-ups will savor year-round.-M. A. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.