Not Enough Beds!: A Christmas Alphabet Book

Love the illustrations...love the story--has been one of the best additions to our Christmas basket of books!

I am the coordinator of the Albert Lea, MN Art Center and we have the pleasure of showing Joni Oeltjenbruns' original illustrations in our galleries this month. I have met one of her children who posed for some of the pictures and seen the rough drafts of the story. Now I own several of her books. Her illustrations are of very fine quality and the detail is fabulous. Her tiny mice that are featured throughout the story are so CUTE. Their antics form a story of their own. This book is a must have!

Our son has learned how to read, and this is a book we still enjoy together. Most of the words are easy enough for him to read himself. While he needs help with some of the names, they provide a challenge. The less common names (such as Constantine, Lucinda, Quentin, and Ursula) open him to a wider cultural world. He also enjoys the detailed illustrations-- where will the mice be next? This book is a favorite to pull out any time of the year, but especially during the holiday season.

Teachers and parents will enjoy this lively Christmas aphabet book. The engaging illustrations match the rhyming text. The storyline makes a connection to visiting relatives that many children will find familiar and funny. Perfect to begin or end the holiday season in a public school. It will appeal to everyone!

This Christmas treasure offers so many things to both adults and children! It tells the story of a house full of Christmas guests...but Not Enough Beds! Each of the guests finds an interesting and entertaining solution to their problem. You will soon realize that we are hearing about the guests in alphabetical order...making this also a great learning tool. Add the wonderful illustrations to the fantastic wit...and this is not to be missed!