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Merry Christmas, Dear Mars: An Out-of-This-World Story About the Night Before Christmas
An out-of-this-world remix of the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas�!
It’s Christmas Eve. The Martians have hung their stockings and decorated their trees in hopes that Santa will finally visit the red planet. But what are the excited Martians to do when Santa’s sleigh shudders and shimmies and stops? Then teeters and totters and drops? It’ll take a dose of Christmas magic and some help from the Outer Space Rescue Division to get this holiday back on track.
Humorous, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations combine to make a perfect winter read-a-loud, destined to become a classic.
It’s Christmas Eve. The Martians have hung their stockings and decorated their trees in hopes that Santa will finally visit the red planet. But what are the excited Martians to do when Santa’s sleigh shudders and shimmies and stops? Then teeters and totters and drops? It’ll take a dose of Christmas magic and some help from the Outer Space Rescue Division to get this holiday back on track.
Humorous, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations combine to make a perfect winter read-a-loud, destined to become a classic.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2024
17 people want to read
About the author
Penny Parker Klostermann
5books56followersPENNY PARKER KLOSTERMANN is the author of Merry Christmas, Dear Mars, illustrated by Estrela Lourenço (Macmillan/Godwin Books), There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight and A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale, both illustrated by Ben Mantle (Random House Children’s Books), and coming May 6, 2025, Spider Lady: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army, illustrated by Anne Lambelet (Astra/Calkins Creek).
Penny feels lucky to have spent her childhood in the beautiful Crystal River Valley near Redstone, Colorado. She now lives in Abilene, Texas, The Storybook Capital of America, where inspiration is all around.
Penny loves all kinds of books but especially loves very silly picture books that make her laugh, as well as inspiring nonfiction books that tweak her curiosity. She has been known to hug her favorite picture books and seriously hopes that her books will gain huggable status too.
Penny feels lucky to have spent her childhood in the beautiful Crystal River Valley near Redstone, Colorado. She now lives in Abilene, Texas, The Storybook Capital of America, where inspiration is all around.
Penny loves all kinds of books but especially loves very silly picture books that make her laugh, as well as inspiring nonfiction books that tweak her curiosity. She has been known to hug her favorite picture books and seriously hopes that her books will gain huggable status too.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 3, 2024
Blurb: Merry Christmas Dear Mars by Penny Parker Klostermann with Art by Estrela Lourenco, Godwin Books, 2024. The little ones of Mars prepare for Christmas in their own signature way, hoping for Santa to visit their planet. But when Santa encounters technical difficulties, what’s a Martian to do? Can they help Santa and get the visit they’ve been hoping for?
#SeasonsOfKidLit says: This well-rhymed, funderful, wonderful story is a fresh and unique twist on an old classic. Each spread is packed with engaging language and intergalactic goodies, in both the text and the art.
seasonsofkidlit.com received a copy in exchange for a review. And then bought their own copies because it was so good!
#SeasonsOfKidLit says: This well-rhymed, funderful, wonderful story is a fresh and unique twist on an old classic. Each spread is packed with engaging language and intergalactic goodies, in both the text and the art.
seasonsofkidlit.com received a copy in exchange for a review. And then bought their own copies because it was so good!
August 26, 2024
I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
Query: do Martians have Christmas? Well, according to this book, they do! I loved the fun this book had with the classic ‘Twas a Night Before Christmas, allowing Santa and our heroes to have new adventures in a place very different than Earth. It also helps that the Martians are adorable. A great book for those kids really interested in space/Mars and those parents that want to read a different version of the Christmas classic.
Query: do Martians have Christmas? Well, according to this book, they do! I loved the fun this book had with the classic ‘Twas a Night Before Christmas, allowing Santa and our heroes to have new adventures in a place very different than Earth. It also helps that the Martians are adorable. A great book for those kids really interested in space/Mars and those parents that want to read a different version of the Christmas classic.
January 16, 2025
The Martians on Mars are hoping Santa will finally visit their planet. Santa has trouble with his sleigh and sends out an SOS. The Outer Space Rescue Division rescues Santa and checks out his sleigh. The reindeer and sleigh receive a space upgrade and the Martians know Santa will be back next year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, DEAR MARS is a fun rhyming read aloud to the night before Christmas. The illustrations are colorful. The Mars setting and fun language is an upgrade and sure to be a new classic.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, DEAR MARS is a fun rhyming read aloud to the night before Christmas. The illustrations are colorful. The Mars setting and fun language is an upgrade and sure to be a new classic.
November 23, 2024
This is a fun ride with its lyrical, perfectly rhyming and metered text accompanied by adorable and expressive illustrations. I enjoyed reading this out loud and delighted at all of the creative word choices. This will be a classic and will be asked to be read over and over.
December 4, 2024
This book was absolutely amazing. Probably four stars because I'm not a super huge fan of the illustration style. Anyway, it rhymes. It's about Mars and I think about gravity and launching. It's very scientific in an easily presented way.
December 30, 2024
The Martians have prepared for Christmas and can't wait for Santa to visit. But Santa's sleigh has a little trouble getting to Mars. What will be done? The Martians come to the rescue, and Christmas is joyful. This is darling.
August 29, 2024
This book is amazing! Love it.
September 5, 2024
incredibly fun. of all the adaptations of that old classic, this is imaginative and very well done.
November 8, 2024
Cute and funny
December 5, 2024
It’s Christmas Eve in space and guess who is helping Santa on his way in this rollicking, rhyming, perfect read-aloud? Grab some hot chocolate with Mars-mallows and snuggle up to find out!
December 6, 2024
Loved this book in so many ways. A must read and a one day to be Christmas Classic!
December 16, 2024
A fun spin on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas where Santa visits the inhabitants of Mars.
December 30, 2024
Very sweet rhyming story about Santa Claus visiting Mars.
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January 13, 2025Santa visits Mars on Christmas Eve.
January 16, 2025
So charming! Great rhymes.
February 19, 2025
A cute take on "A Visit from Santa" (Night Before Christmas) by Clement Moore
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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