Starred Review In December 1941, England was several years into its war with Germany. Earlier in the month, the U.S. fleet had been bombed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by Japan. With a world war raging, who had time to celebrate Christmas? This remarkably readable title describes a unique moment in time e meeting of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at the White House over the Christmas holidays. The book grabs readers with its description of Churchill's harrowing trip across the ocean on a British battleship. Despite the possibility of being hit by German submarines, Churchill was determined to meet the president and "plan how they might save the world." For his part, Roosevelt eagerly awaited the visit, and he made sure he was standing on his own, without a wheelchair, when he greeted the prime minister. The tightly written narrative is filled with fascinating details, such as the fact that Churchill stomped up and down the halls of the White House at night in his nightgown. Anecdotes make the men human, but there is also much history here: what was planned, what was said, what was accomplished. It would be hard to overpraise Moser's striking artwork. Based on photos, the images capture the dramatic moments. There are many books about those who fought in WWII. This compelling offering gives a clue as to what it was like to be in the seat of power, watching the world burn and trying to stop it.

In December 1941, Winston Churchill spent the holidays with Franklin Roosevelt. They formed an alliance to fight the Axis Powers and crafted a charter for the United Nations. Wood's snapshot of this moment in history includes a few humorous anecdotes that add levity to an otherwise solemn text. Moser based his impressive watercolors on photographs from the period.

An engaging chronicle of the month that Roosevelt and Churchill spent together at the White House, forging an affectionate friendship as well as a world-changing alliance. In the waning days of 1941, when prospects for victory in either Europe or the Pacific were dismal, the two leaders optimistically engaged in a marathon series of meetings to plan strategies that ultimately resulted in victory and transformed the world. Wood's narrative effectively captures both the desperation of the times and how much Churchill and Roosevelt genuinely enjoyed each other's company. Moser's detailed watercolor illustrations likewise capture their robust personalities. Despite balanced attention to both men, the eccentric Churchill emerges as more memorable, in both text illustration; most entertaining of the latter is of Churchill, ever-present cigar in mouth, toweling off beside the bathtub. As interesting and insightful as this story is, it may have a hard time finding an audience. Younger readers will not have the background knowledge to understand the historical context of the story, and older readers are unlikely to find the picture-book format appealing. Those older readers who buck the format, though, will find themselves in for a treat. (afterword, author's note, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 7-10)

Wood (No One But You) pulls back the curtain on history to offer a snapshot of Winston Churchill-s Christmas 1941 visit to the Roosevelt White House. The mix of famous quotes, humanizing anecdotes, and references to both monumental work (war strategizing) and holiday fun imbue this volume with an inviting fly-on-the-wall tone. Moser (Oh, Harry!), too, effectively balances light and serious with his watercolor portraits, which were often inspired by archival photos. Ages 6-10. (Sept.)

Gr 4-6 In 1941, the leaders of two powerful nations experienced a Christmas like no other when Winston Churchill visited Franklin Roosevelt in the White House. Weaving actual quotations into the narrative (alas, no specific sources are cited), Wood's account of this meeting is also a story of how the men became friends just as their countries forged an alliance and America joined the Allied forces. Stunning full-page watercolor paintings capture candid moments from both the banquet table and strategy room, and even a surprising comical turn when Roosevelt barged in to Churchill's room just as he was getting out of the bath. Though the mention of this and other exchanges of banter between the two men at times takes too light a tone considering the circumstances, their inclusion makes for a worthy, humanizing glimpse into that historic visit. Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library