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Mrs. Muddle’s Holidayswritten by Laura F. Nielsen, illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski32 pp., full-color illustrations, ages 6-8 (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2008) ISBN-10: 0374350949 ISBN-13: 9780374350949 To jump ahead on this page, click one of these links:
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Katie and all her neighbors on Maple Street celebrate most of the poplular holidays. Some of them celebrate various religious holidays and unusual holidays as well. Then Mrs. Muddle moves into the neighborhood, and Katie sees her hanging pieces of yarn in the trees to celebrate First Robin Day. This is just the first of the made-up holidays Mrs. Muddle reveals to the Maple Street kids each month. After Mrs. Muddle gets all the kids involved in the fun, they try to think of a holiday Mrs. Muddle doesn’t know about.
I am always telling people that I never meet authors before I illustrate their books. I actually did meet Laura Nielsen after the editor of Mrs. Muddle’s Holidays asked me to illustrate it. Laura came to hear me give a speech about illustrating books. I was afraid she was going to yell at me and tell me not to mess up her book! Laura was so nice, though. She told me she didn’t actually have a clear picture in her head of what Mrs. Muddle should look like. That was good, because I sure did have an idea. To me, Mrs. Muddle was Mrs. Small, the lady next door when I was 3 or 4 years old. She played with me and my sister all the time — even when she didn't have to babysit. What I remember most is when she gave us hot chocolate and peanut brittle after we sledded down the huge hill in her backyard all afternoon.
“The text is perfectly paced for reading aloud, but the book will work best in small groups, which will allow close-up views of Yezerski’s ink-and-watercolor drawings of energetic, gray-haired party-animal Mrs. Muddle and the warmth and whimsical details that make her celebrations so joyful.” — Booklist, May 1, 2008
“Nielsen’s maiden voyage is a holiday winner, and Yezerski’s pen-and-ink watercolors are bright, warm and festive. This is perfect for every collection, especially those serving elementary schools.” — Kirkus, February 2008
“Yezerski’s colorful pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations perfectly match Nielsen’s cheery text. Children of many ethnic and cultural backgrounds are depicted in this wonderful story of friendship and fellowship. It will make a great read-aloud any time of year and encourage children to create their own special occasions.” — School Library Journal, April 2008