Reading: COCOA'S CRANKY CHRISTMAS: CAN YOU CHEER HIM UP? - Beth Hughes

Prose (Story): Christmas is coming, and Cocoa is in no mood. This board book for little ones brings kids directly into the story, as on each page there is a suggestion on what they can do to help bring Cocoa out of his funk. But Christmas is close - will there be time? And what will it take to cheer Cocoa up at last?

Don's (Review): Cocoa, for real, is the Ebenezer Scrooge of irascible dogs here, the look on his face saying it all: he is so NOT in the mood for Christmas. In funny, full-page artwork, author Hughes has created a grumpy fur-baby seemingly determined to Bah Humbug his way through the holiday, but the terrific interactive feature of the story should have kids shouting, singing, jumping up and down, clapping - anythng it takes to bring a smile to Cocoa's cranky counetenance in time for Santa. In the meantime, the illustrations of Cocoa alone make it worth flippng the pages, even for adults; this dog is a hoot!  4/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.