The Foxiest Elves of the Season: Zelda and Ivy: One Christmas by Laura McGee Kvasnosky

In Zelda and Ivy: One Christmas (Candlewick, 2006), Zelda and little sister Ivy, the fabulous fox sisters, can't wait to get their presents on Christmas Day. Zelda is yearning for a glamorous evening gown, and Ivy is counting on the very popular Princess Mimi doll, with all the accessories. The Fox girls just know it's going to be the best Christmas ever!

But while making holiday cookies with their recently widowed neighbor Mrs. Brownlie, they realize that she is not anticipating her first Christmas alone at all. The sisters suddenly see that there's more to Christmas than waiting for Santa. Concerned for their friend, Zelda and Ivy decide to play "Christmas Elves" and secretly deliver a special gift to their friend to cheer her up.

While the girls plot their secret mission, they also throw themselves into the holiday fun. Zelda becomes the Amazing Zeldarina, telling their Christmas gift fortunes and attempting to boss her younger sister Ivy. Throughout decorating their tree and wrapping their Christmas gifts, Ivy manages to stick up for herself quite well.

When Santa leaves them boring matching bathrobes instead of their hearts' desire, the Fox sisters' holiday spirit almost goes down the tube, until they each find another gift under the tree--this time from "the Christmas Elf." Inside each package Zelda and Ivy find just what they've hoped for, along with a Christmas they won't forget.

For more award-winning stories of Zelda and Ivy, see Zelda and Ivy (Candlewick, 1998), Zelda and Ivy and the Boy Next Door (Candlewick, 1999), and Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways, a 2007 Notable Book (Candlewick, 2007). Newly independent readers will enjoy the humorous spats that go along with sisterly rivalry and the lively childhood adventures portrayed in Kvasnovsky's sparkling gouache and ink drawings. At Accelerated Reader levels 2.7-3.0, with three chapters each, the stories of Zelda and Ivy are just right for early independent readers who are almost ready for longer chapter books.