As a kid, my favorite holiday book was The Sweet Smell of Christmas written by Patricia M. Scarry and illustrated by JP Miller. It was originally published in 1970 by Golden Books, so I would have been 5-years-old then. For me, this book had it all -- fun story, cute illustrations and little stickers to scratch-and-sniff. I read-and-scratched this book until the stickers were ripped-and-worn from being scratched-and-sniffed so much. It was a fun book. When I got older, way after I had outgrown the book, I bought two more copies. I knew this would be a book I wanted to share with my kids. We still have those two copies.Christmas is almost here! Little Bear knows it's coming -- he can smell it. The story follows Little Bear around as he enjoys the wonderful smells of the season. There are pine trees, apple pie, gingerbread cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate, and oranges. It's a charming story and truly a classic holiday book for kids of all ages. For my family, reading this book to my kids has become a favorite holiday tradition. Give it a scratch-and-sniff!
I loved scratch and sniff stickers and books!
ReplyDeleteSigh...I never had a scratch and sniff book. But do not feel sad for me. My favorite Christmas is "The Christmas that Almost Wasn't," by Ogden Nash.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book Rena! I can remember scratch and sniff books from my childhood but I don't think I have ever seen any recently for my kids... I wonder if they are out of popularity right now?
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this book, it looks like a really cute one. I too remember scratch and sniff books and mine looked the same way Rena. lol
ReplyDeleteNancy
Good evening, Rena. I've not heard of this story. I wasn't fortuanate as a child to have many books. =/ BUT, I'm going to check this book out. I love children's books. My favorite author is Shel Silverstein. :)
ReplyDeleteI never heard of that book but it sounds like fun. I don't think scratch and sniff existed when I was little ;-)
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Richard Scarry's books as a kid, but I do remember younger friends who had this scratch & sniff book. (Was Patricia Scarry related to Richard? Surely he illustrated it?)
ReplyDeleteAll the smells of Christmas appeal so much to me, I know I would have loved this.
I've never read this book! As a teacher, I am always looking for great stuff to read!
ReplyDeleteGolden Books! And Scratch 'N Sniff?
ReplyDeleteAww, these take me back.
Particularly SNS. I remember thinking how cool it was to have an odor...on paper...that you had to scratch in order to smell. Kinda like, how'd they do that?
It felt like a special secret that everyone under the age of 10 was in on. Sharing it with your parents? Meh, not so fun. But sharing it with your friends? Loads of fun. "Eeew, did you smell the grass one? It smells like poop! I dare ya..."
Anyway. Sorry. Tangent. :D
Gale
Thanks for all of the replies. Wow, I was surprised how many people haven't heard of this book. Even though it came out in 1970, you can still find it today. Go grab yourself a copy and stick it on your coffee table at Christmas. People of all ages will pick it up and enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteMary -- I think they are related, but I don't know how. I know both Patricia and Richard Scarry did "The Bunny Book" and "Goodnight, Little Bear" together. So maybe they're married? :)
Scrumptious smells! I think scratch and sniffs had their day in the 70s and 80s. After the s&s wears out it's a disappointment, so the books have a short life.
ReplyDeleteMarcia -- That's true. But out of curiousity, I just picked up my copies and they still smell great. I bought them in 1989. But the difference here is that I keep them with my Christmas decorations, so they only get put out once a year. :)
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