Queen of Christmas (by Mary Engelbreit)

This first in the series of "Queen" stories by author/illustrator Mary Englebreit features Ann Estelle as the inimitable, titular Queen consumed with making a list of things she wants. It's hard not to like Ann Estelle, even though she seems to only look out for her own wants and needs. Happily, she gets caught up in the joys of her holiday celebration -- ice skating, baking, caroling, decorating, and playing with her cousins -- and forgets about the list altogether.

The book's bright colors and happy faces make it seem warm, cheery, and harmless. And ultimately the lesson is that family, friends, food, singing, and stories are the important part of Christmas celebration. But the joy of making a gift list so long that it stretches from one Christmas to the next is unsettling. This might have been a better book if Ann Estelle had added a few things on her list for the other people in her life.