Santa Claus in Comin' to Town Illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Steven Kellogg was one of my favorite illustrators as a kid. He was a superstar of kids books in the 80's-90's. Or at least of MY 1980's and 90's. 

Although he is not quite as popular as he once was, he is still illustrating books in his own intense way.

There is just so much detail in his pictures! 

Green and red spotted giraffes? Of course!

A little bear is the one who visited Santa, so he is the one telling the kiddies Santa is coming. 

This song has always seemed slightly stalkerish (does Santa have a spy cam on me?) but I still like it. And Kellogg's pictures make it delightful. 

I actually didn't even know this part of the song (I leaned pretty heavily on the chorus as a kid) but I have quickly embraced it. Because... Scandinavian decorated elephants. 

The stars! 

Isn't it all so marvelously over the top? 

All those little compartments

Ahhhh.... the joys of Christmas morning!

 At least in Kellogg books. Because I never received a unicorn rocking horse for Christmas. 

Crabapple Night by Jan Wahl & Illus by Steven Kellogg

 

This is a book I remember from my childhood. I have never quite understood it. Some neighborhood kids are mean to a grouchy old woman. Their dog gets sick and dies, they assume she did it, things escalate.

 

At the end, everyone is a happy, friendly neighbor. Pretty basic storyline. But the dog poisoning and gun play make this is a little... dark.

Ms. Louella Fink's gothic house. It is just begging for misinterpretation.

Louella Fink's husband disappeared. There are all kinds of wild stories about what happened to him. But the kids know she poisoned him and got rid of the evidence.

Louella Fink is just weird. I mean she dances in the garden in the moonlight. Kids don't tolerate those kind of shenanigans from adults who should know better.

When their dog, Ambrose, is found dead, they know exactly who to blame. They give her a dead rat.

And try to scare her. And generally make her life miserable.

Things get out of hand.

At times, the kids wonder if maybe they aren't going a little too far. But.... she did poison their dog, after all.

They decide to steal her crabapples. And are nearly scared out of their wits by the scarecrow.

But in the end, everyone is happy and friendly.

Uproar on Hollercat Hill by Jean Marzollo & Illus by Steve Kellogg

  In contrast to yesterday's picture perfect family life, I give you Uproar on Hollercat Hill. This was a book that was worn to pieces by us kids growing up. Mom and Dad's copy is in tatters. 

A family that fights and hollers and loves each other fiercely is very realistic to all of us.  

Jean Marzollo is the author of the I Spy books. This is one of her earlier books. And Steven Kellogg...well, I love Steven Kellogg.

My aunt just sent me my great grandmother's china. Isn't it lovely?

Happy kittens playing together nicely. It won't last.

Things are hoppin' in the Cat house.

I love Poppa happily drumming away while Momma appears to be plowing up their front lawn.

Things fall apart.

This right here, is the one of the best lines in children's literature. Right up there with about 945 other best lines. 

They take all their sadness, sorrow, and grievances to Momma. Who gets so distracted....

The tractor goes trundling down the hill to the neighbors. By itself.

So then the neighbors are part of the melee.

Poppa finally thinks of tea.

Tea solves everything. Including neighborhood riots. But note, it is the cookies that bring a smile to their faces. 

Cookies are so important.

Sometimes folks 

Just got to fight,

When it's over, 

Kiss good night.

I love this. It is such a healthy view of arguments. With the seeming demise of polite discourse and discussion in today's culture, it is good to be reminded that you can argue with someone and still love them.  

Strawberry shortcake, huckleberry pie,

We love you and that's no lie.  

Even if you fight and holler and cause mayhem. We still love you. 

Is your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino & illus by Steven Kellogg

This is a cute, sort of fluff book. My kids enjoy it, but it has never been a read-it-19-times-in-a-row favorite. I enjoy reading it for the rhythm and dramatic fill-in-the-blank pauses at the end of each stanza, but it doesn't fill me with delight--not a must-tell-everyone-about-this-book-now sort of book. 

But with pictures by Steven Kellogg, basic rhyming structure, animal facts, and lots of baby animals, it is a pretty good book. It deserves a place in a toddler's library.

I love buttercups!

A little Llama name Lloyd goes around asking all his animal friends if their Mama is a llama. The animals respond in rhyme and tell a little about their mother. Then Lloyd guesses what their mama is. 

At the end of each animal response, there is a pause while you turn the page. Kids like fill in the blank pauses.

I like Steven Kellogg's illustrations. All those cute little babies with their Mamas.

SEAL!

The animal combinations have me wondering where exactly Lloyd lives. Kangaroos, llamas, cows, swans, seals, bats...

And finally, Lloyd asks his friend Llyn if her Mama is a llama. And Llyn says "Don't be silly." Our Mama's belong to the same herd.

And as the sun is setting, Llyod and Llyn (I love their double l's) run to their mothers...

...to snuggle down for the night. 

Cuddling Llamas!