Two New Picture Books Spread Holiday Cheer

Two new picture books published by Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books -one fact, one fiction-share the stories of The Nutcracker and its rise to popularity in the United States, and of Santa's very fortunate coal man, respectively. The Nutcracker Comes to America and The Christmas Coal Man are unconventional stories with plenty of heart that are perfect for holiday reading.

The Nutcracker Comes to America, written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Cathy Gendron, introduces readers to Willam, Harold, and Lew Christensen, three small-town Utah boys who caught the ballet bug in the early 1900s. They performed on vaudeville and took part in the New York City dance scene. Russian immigrants shared the story of The Nutcracker with them, and during World War II, they staged their own Christmastime production in San Francisco. It was America's first full-length version and the beginning of a delightful holiday tradition.

The Christmas Coal Man, written and illustrated by Joe Kulka, tells the story of Santa's Coal Man, who works hard digging up the coal Santa Claus gives to naughty boys and girls. But this year, Santa announces he's not using coal anymore! What will happen to the Coal Man without his best customer?

About the Authors

Chris Barton, author of bestseller Shark Vs. Train and nonfiction books The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch and The Day-Glo Brothers, lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, novelist Jennifer Ziegler, and their family.

Joe Kulka has written and illustrated My Crocodile Does Not Bite, Vacation's Over! Return of the Dinosaurs, and the award-winning book Wolf's Coming!. Joe lives in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

About the Illustrator

Cathy Gendron has been an illustrator for more than twenty years. She is also a teacher at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. She lives and works in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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About the Publisher

Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books, divisions of Lerner Publishing Group, create high-quality picture books and illustrated nonfiction for children.

Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, creates high-quality fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults.

PUBLICATION DATE:
September 2015

The Nutcracker Comes to America
$19.99 Hardcover, Jacketed
eBook Also Available
Ages 7-11
HC: 978-1-4677-2151-6
36 Pages ? 9 1/4 x 11

The Christmas Coal Man
$17.99 Hardcover, Jacketed
eBook Also Available
Ages 5-9
HC: 978-1-4677-1607-9
32 Pages ? 9 1/4 x 11

To Purchase: Visit your local bookstore, order by phone at 800-328-4929, or visit us online at www.lernerbooks.com.