Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Christmas by Mark MacLeod (text) and May Gibbs (illustrations)

Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781742830223.
(Age: 5+) Warmly recommended. Picture book, May Gibbs, Christmas. Another in the series of books from Scholastic, using May Gibbs' illustrations and pairing them with a text written by Mark McLeod will be welcomed by readers and teachers alike. Parents and grandparents will recognise the familiar illustrative technique in the shops and will find it easy to purchase for their children and grandchildren. Teachers and librarians will recognise the historic appeal of the illustrator and perhaps pair these new hard cover picture books with older versions of May Gibbs' work. I reviewed the first one, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie sleepover several months ago.
In this tale, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie both have lists of things to do before Christmas Day, although one list seems longer than the other! When Cuddlepie goes out on an errand, Snugglepot determines to search for the present he knows is hidden somewhere. While he is doing this, Mrs Snake comes by trying to take the star on top of the Christmas Bush, but in failing to do so, knocks many of the decorations down. Snugglepot must work hard to fix the bush before Cuddlepie returns. And when he does, he has a surprise for his friend.
Neatly resolved, full of allusions to an Australian Christmas and the animals of our country, the illustrations are enhanced by the tale.
Fran Knight