Rudie nudie Christmas by Emma Quay

ABC Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780733338342.
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Following Rudie Nudie (2012) which was shortlisted for the CBCA picture book award, comes another look at that time between bath time and bed time, when many kids allow their bodies to be left uncovered. The fun of prancing around the house unencumbered is given full rein in this second book, now devoted to Christmas. The first Christmas book I have seen this year, this one is buoyant and fun filled as the two dance around the house, happy and carefree preparing for Christmas.
All the fun of Christmas is mentioned, encouraging children to view the customs of Christmas in western societies: wrapping presents, following a star, singing carols, putting up decorations, hanging their stockings for Santa to come by.
Each joyful page shows a happy family bathing their children, following them through the house, decorating the Christmas tree, making gingerbread, playing hide and seek, underlining the family features that are celebrated at Christmas around the world.
All readers will delight in the drawings of the two children, high spirited and energetic as they romp around the house, playing with their parents, finally wearing themselves out and going to bed, waiting for Santa to come calling.
The fun of the book is just one aspect of this multi layered offering from Sydney based Quay. It will enable classes to discuss what is important at Christmas time, encouraging children from different cultures to join in and learn why these aspects are celebrated. And of course, the verse form, encourages younger children to predict the rhyming word, making them more aware of the beauty of language. A cute opening story for Christmas, one of many that will follow, but this one will stand out.
Themes: Family, Christmas, Nudity, Verse.
Fran Knight