Christmas with Snowman Paul is a children’s holiday-themed picture book written by Yossi Lapid and illustrated by Joanna Pasek. Everyone is excited about Christmas! The weather outside is perfect for a white Christmas, and people are busy wrapping presents, decorating their Christmas trees and preparing cookies, cakes and other Christmas treats. Snowman Paul is feeling left out of things, however; he is feeling very sad about what Christmas will mean for him. While Dan and his family will be snug and comfy at home around the fire, singing carols and enjoying the warmth of Christmas, Snowman Paul will be out in the cold -- alone. Paul doesn’t think that it’s fair that he should be left out of the festivities just because he’s a snowman. When Dan asks Paul why he’s so glum, Paul explains how he feels. Dan can certainly see Paul’s point, and he agrees that it isn’t fair, but maybe he can figure out a way to make Snowman Paul’s Christmas just as special as his.

I’m always on the lookout for another book in Yossi Lapid’s brilliant Snowman Paul series, and was thrilled to discover Christmas with Snowman Paul. Like Dan, it was pretty awful seeing Snowman Paul outside and gazing forlornly into Dan’s house as the Christmas festivities take place. It’s an especially poignant moment when Snowman Paul wonders if he’d “rather be plain snow” than feel this badly. Lapid’s story highlights the importance of the inclusion of others in holidays and other celebrations, and the solution Dan and his family come up with is heartwarming and humorous all at once. Joanna Pasek’s illustrations are inspired. Her use of blues and grays conjures up a startlingly realistic winter wonderland complete with snowdrifts, starry skies, and the snowman who has captured the hearts and imaginations of so many children and adults. And while seeing Snowman Paul being so sad will cause concern and consternation among his fans, I’m sure everyone will love the solution Dan and his family come up with as much as I did. Christmas with Snowman Paul is most highly recommended.

Christmas is coming and Snowman Paul is sad because he knows that he’s going to be alone for the holiday. It’s not going to be fun for him like it is for Dan and the rest of his family. After all, he can’t spend the day with them. But Dan and his family have a few surprises in store because they don’t want Snowman Paul to be by himself on such a special day. Will they be able to spend their Christmas the way Dan and his family have been planning? Or will he have to stay out in the cold, watching all the fun from the outside? With a little creativity, Christmas With Snowman Paul can definitely be the best yet.

This is a lovely story all about inclusion and a little creativity to make the holiday (or anything else) work for everyone. The characters are sweet, funny and imaginative. Not only that, but it’s full of super cute and fun drawings that will help your child stay interested. The size of the words and the reading level make this great for smaller children to listen to and follow along with, and even for those who are just starting to read on their own. So parents will like this book for the holiday season. Use it as a lesson for your little one or just something fun to read during the day or before bed, and they’ll be enjoying reading just as much as you do. Christmas with Snowman Paul by Yossi Lapid is definitely something any child will love.