Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mountain adventure saves Christmas in lively holiday tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
It seems that Christmas might be over before it begins in MR. WILLOWBY'S HEAD OVER HEELS CHRISTMAS. His tree delivery is stuck in a snowdrift, and his parlor feels empty and wrong. Luckily, Barnaby Bear sees Mr. Willowby fretting about his missing tree and is moved to make sure that his friend has a good holiday. Barnaby climbs to the top of a nearby mountain, finds the perfect tree, and decides that the fastest way back to Mr. Willowby's is to ride the tree down like a sleigh. It's a wild adventure as animal friends are plowed into and picked up, the tree swooshes into Mr. Willowby's house, and a surprise visitor makes all the difference, transforming what might have been a truly big disaster into holiday magic. In an afterword, author Robert Barry's son describes his father's life and caree and explains how this sequel came from a previously undiscovered unpublished manuscript and sketches.
Is It Any Good?
This Christmas picture book packs in thoughtful friends, thrilling adventure, holiday vibes, and a midcentury aesthetic that's perfect for the season. With well-crafted rhyming quatrains on every page and vibrant art that's full of detail, movement, and cheer, Mr. Willowby's Head Over Heels Christmas checks many boxes for a memorable winter read. Kids and adults will love the thrilling "sleigh" ride down the mountain, the suspense of the stuck tree, and the surprise visitor who puts the finishing touches on a magical Christmas eve at Mr. Willowby's welcoming home.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Barnaby Bear's thoughtful noticing and action in Mr. Willowby's Head Over Heels Christmas. What does Barnaby's empathy inspire him to do? When have you been inspired to help someone who was sad or stressed out?
What do you think about Barnaby's idea to get the tree to Mr. Willowby's house? What did you think might happen next? How did that compare to what actually occured?
What's you favorite picture in the book? Why?
The animals work as a team to try to free the stuck tree, but who arrives that makes all the difference? Did this visitor surprise you? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Robert E. Barry
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Animals ( Mice , Wild Animals ) , Friendship , Holidays ( Christmas )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Doubleday
- Publication date : October 21, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 7
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : November 19, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate