Downhill! Peppa Pig and the Day at Snowy Mountain

PEPPA AND GEORGE WAKE ONE DAY.

"IT'S SNOWING!"

"WE'LL GO UP SNOWY MOUNTAIN," SAID MUMMY PIG.

Mummy sees that the kids bundle up, and Daddy Pig loads up and warms up the car. They're all set, right?

But when they get to Snowy Mountain, they realize they are missing something important.

"WE DON'T HAVE A SLED!

Daddy Pig makes a noble gesture: he lies down headfirst and invites Peppa and George to climb on his back. He kicks off and they begin to slide down the mountain. Peppa and George whoop with joy as they speed past the other little sledders. Daddy Pig winds up with a snoot full of snow, but it's worth it.

Now it's time for some skiing. But first they have to take the ski lift UP the hill. From their chairs they marvel at the view. But Daddy Pig gets a little too enthusiastic about ogling the landscape and falls out of his chair and... splat!

"HE'S A WALKING SNOW DADDY!" GEORGE AND PEPPA SHOUT."

But Daddy Pig is a good sport, and after he shakes off his snowman disguise, the family take a few skiing lessons from Madame Gazelle, who leads them to the beginner's slope for their first run. Mummy Pig says she remembers how to ski, and pushes off for a run all the way down the mountain. There's just one problem!

"SHE FORGETS HOW TO STOP!"

It's Mummy Pig's turn to wind up with her face in the snow, in Peppa Pig and the Day at Snowy Mountain (Candlewick Press, 2014). The popular Peppa Pig television series shows the various snow sports that winter offers, including a spot of ice skating as well. Preschoolers get a taste of winter sports, learn a little about planning ahead, and generally enjoy a chilly but silly day of family fun in the snow.

Pair this wintry one with Peppa Pig: Peppa's Christmas Wish, Peppa Pig and the Lost Christmas List,or Peppa's Christmas. (Peppa Pig), for a seasonal storytime for Peppa fans.

Can't Scare Me! Boo! Made You Jump! (Charlie and Lola) by Lauren Child

"I have this little sister Lola.

She is small and very funny.

I am always making her jump.

But she can never make ME jump.

But Lola is very inventive and very persistent. At the park she and her friend Lotta jump out of the bushes screaming "Boo!" At home the little girls ambush Charlie costumed as moaning ghosts, but big brother is unmoved.

"You'll never make me jump! That will never happen." Charlie says.

Then one night as Lola and Charlie are ready for bed, Lola gives it one more try.

"I'm going to tell you a really scary story about a terribly terrible old castle full of icky spiders," Lola says, and launches forth with a story about two boys (presumably Charlie and Marv) and two "not quite biggish small girls" (Lola and Lotta) who enter the scary castle, slowly climb the creepy stairs ("that's what you do in scary stories") and dare to open an enormous door behind which loud creepy sounds are heard.

"Do you know what it was?" Lola asks ominously. "It was Twinkle, Mrs. Elmore's kitten from next door!"

"Oh, Lola," Charlie says. "How's a funny little furry animal going to make me jump?"

It's the perfect setup for Charlie's comeuppance. Just at that moment, their dog Sizzles leaps up right onto Charlie's lap, and Charlie, startled, almost jumps off the bed in surprise. "Hmmmm," says Lola. "NOW I know how to make you jump!"

Lauren Child's understated story and characteristically spare, witty illustrations make Boo! Made You Jump! (Charlie and Lola) not-so-scary haunted castle story with just the right humor and atmosphere for preschool listeners.