Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Pretty art, wordless ride are fun backdrop to famous carol.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The lyrics to JINGLE BELLS float over a snowy landscape and a wordless adventure in which a young boy and girl and their little white dog start off on a sleigh ride and hit a bump, and the dog takes off on an adventure with a variety of of winter woodland creatures. Eventually the kids and pooch reunite at Grandma's house -- with Santa himself! They open gifts while he's still there, and then they all head to a frozen pond for ice skating and hockey, surrounded by local animals.
Is It Any Good?
The snowy art and realistically rendered animals make this mostly wordless tale fun and engaging. The carol's lyrics provide a nice thread but are almost beside the point. The action and humor are in the pictures that tell the kids' and dog's story. A charming addition to the holiday bookshelf.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the animals and bird shown in Jingle Bells. Which ones could you name? Which ones were new to you?
How do you think the words of the Christmas carol "Jingle Bells" mix with the story of the kids and their dog getting separated in the snow? Will you think of their story the next time you hear the song?
How did you like the twist at the end with Santa?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Susan Jeffers
- Genre : Holiday
- Topics : Holidays , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date : September 26, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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