When Posey Peeked at Christmas

November 1, 2008
When a mouse family gathers to decorate their Christmas tree, the grandmother tells them a story about her favorite Christmas ornament. She holds up a tiny red box with faded writing and tells the story of Posey, a little mouse with an intense curiosity about the contents of the presents under the tree. When she secretly opens all her presents from her parents prior to Christmas and then rewraps them, Posey feels miserably guilty. She worries that she will not get any presents from Santa on Christmas morning, but she does receive her longed-for doll and a stocking full of surprises too, including a tiny red box inscribed with the words "do not open till Christmas. " In the satisfying conclusion, Grandma Posey and her grandchildren hang the never-opened heirloom box on their tree together. Kennedy 's adorable mouse characters complement Dixon 's gracefully written story, which subtly makes the point that peeking at presents doesn 't pay off. (Picture book. 4-7)

(COPYRIGHT (2008) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

October 1, 2008
PreS-KGrandma Posey shares the story behind a faded ornament shaped like a wrapped present. A little mouse named Posey loved Christmas so much that she couldnt resist the temptation to peek at all of her gifts while her family was caroling. Afterward, opening presents on Christmas Eve, the magic is spoiled because the surprise is gone. And the next morning little Posey decides to not open her last stocking present as a special reminder that some things are better if you wait. Kennedys mouse house and family are cozy and full of energy, her watercolors capturing the excitement and wonder of the holiday. While Posey isnt actually punished for her curiosity with a lump of coal, her remorse makes a strong impression on readers. A sweet but purposeful storytime filler."Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2009
Christmas in the mouse hole brings a story from Grandma about the year young Posey's curiosity ran rampant. After enduring a night of guilt and remorse, Posey (a.k.a. Grandma as a girl) concludes it's better to wait for presents. The text is message-y but offers some surprises. Kennedy's light-filled watercolor and ink illustrations show human-size objects humorously converted for mouse use.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2008
When a mouse family gathers to decorate their Christmas tree, the grandmother tells them a story about her favorite Christmas ornament. She holds up a tiny red box with faded writing and tells the story of Posey, a little mouse with an intense curiosity about the contents of the presents under the tree. When she secretly opens all her presents from her parents prior to Christmas and then rewraps them, Posey feels miserably guilty. She worries that she will not get any presents from Santa on Christmas morning, but she does receive her longed-for doll and a stocking full of surprises too, including a tiny red box inscribed with the words "do not open till Christmas. " In the satisfying conclusion, Grandma Posey and her grandchildren hang the never-opened heirloom box on their tree together. Kennedy's adorable mouse characters complement Dixon's gracefully written story, which subtly makes the point that peeking at presents doesn't pay off. (Picture book. 4-7)

(COPYRIGHT (2008) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)