Disney Book Group is partnering with me for a fabulous giveaway here, readers!

Welcome to a very merry spotlight and giveaway post featuring beloved grumpy mother bear Bruce in a new holiday book called Santa Bruce, from bestselling author and illustrator Ryan T. Higgins. Read on for more about Santa Bruce, some holiday talk, and all the information regarding a fantastic giveaway, courtesy of the generous folks at Disney Book Group.

Santa Bruce (Bruce #4) by Ryan T. Higgins
Source: Hardcopy courtesy of Disney Book Group. Thank you!
Publication: September 4, 2018 by Disney Book Group
Recommended for ages 3 and up
Book Description:

Bruce is a lot of things. He is a bear. He is a grump. He is a pretty decent cook. And he is a mother. One thing Bruce is not? Santa Claus. But that doesn’t stop the whole forest from lining up to give him their Christmas wishes when he becomes the victim of mistaken identity—again. Kids will howl with laughter as award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins delivers another hilarious story about this bear who just can’t catch a break.

Ryan T. Higgins’s bestselling and much-acclaimed picture book series featuring grumpy (yet lovable) bear Bruce started with the hysterical Mother Bruce. In Mother Bruce, Bruce unwittingly and unwillingly becomes mom to a flock of goslings who accidentally hatch in his kitchen. In Bruce’s first three adventures, Bruce finds himself at the center of mistaken identity, trying to work on his cooking skills, trying not to run a hotel, and- improbably- becoming time and again the furry, ornery magnet to whom other little creatures are drawn to. In book four, Santa Bruce, we meet Bruce as his three mice friends are bringing in a Christmas tree: Bruce watches, brow fixed in usual display of consternation, and readers are made aware that Bruce “does not like the holidays”. It looks as though Bruce’s geese children and his mice are raring to celebrate though, and poor Bruce gets woken up from his planned hibernation. Even though Bruce is not a fan of “fun or cheer”, he, once again, becomes mixed up in some pretty awesome and terrifically funny antics when some (ridiculously adorable) animals think Bruce IS ACTUALLY SANTA CLAUS! Readers get to see Bruce’s kids and mouse family “help” Bruce with preparations to become Santa Bruce, complete with one of the funniest version of sleigh, reindeer and presents I have had the pleasure of seeing. So wonderfully funny and truly clever, I love that we get more adventures with Bruce and his family (who are belly-laugh-inducing bonkers). Bruce is such an irascible character, but one that is, through Higgins’s excellent storytelling and artwork, utterly lovable. Santa Bruce is a super addition to the Bruce series of books!

As you can see from the photo gallery below, I had quite a bit of fun taking lots of pictures of Santa Bruce, as well as the very cute Santa Bruce ornament! I even had some Christmas-y animal friends around (and other festive items!) to help decorate the set. The winter and holiday season has always been one of my favourite times of year! The colder (ickier) weather is a great excuse to curl up inside and read even more than usual; I love to decorate, search for gifts, watch A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Muppet Christmas Carol, eat lots of treats and just kick back and enjoy it. I grew up in a family that celebrates Christmas Eve (my parents are European and it has always been the tradition!); my husband grew up in a family that celebrates Christmas Day: since we’ve been together, Mr. Fab and I have celebrated BOTH! I think our little beans have lots of fun with that, getting to open some gifts from Saint Nicholas at night after a family Christmas Eve dinner (as was my tradition!), and then getting to see even more surprises from Santa in the morning! Reading Santa Bruce reminded me of just how much I adore the winter and Christmas season, and how much I can’t wait for the upcoming season to celebrate older family traditions and make even more new ones with our little family. (…I think one of them might have to be adding Santa Bruce to our family holiday reading catalogue!).

About the Author:
Ryan T. Higgins (ryanthiggins.com) is an author and illustrator who likes the outdoors and cheese sandwiches. He is NOT a grumpy old black bear, but he DOES like making books about one—starting with the best-selling Mother Bruce, which received the E. B. White Read-Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor. He lives in Maine with his wife and kids… and too many pets.

Click here for more information about Santa Bruce via Disney Books!

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Giveaway Information:

Grumpy & Grand!

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Thank you to everyone who entered!

The winning entry drawn via Rafflecopter is:

BETHANY N.! Congratulations!

The winner has 48 hours to get in touch to confirm their mailing address or another entry will be drawn.

One (1) winner will receive:

-a copy of Santa Bruce and branded ornament,
-and a kids-size “Bah, humbug” sweater.

Giveaway is open to US and Canadian addresses only. Giveaway will run from September 26, 2018 to October 5, 2018. The winner will be randomly drawn via Rafflecopter. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to me via email (fabbookreviews@gmail.com) OR via Twitter to confirm their mailing address, or another entry will be drawn. Prizing and samples provided by Disney Book Group.

Click to enter the GRUMPY & GRAND SANTA BRUCE giveaway via Rafflecopter!

I received a copy of Santa Bruce and sample ornament courtesy of Disney Book Group in exchange for an honest review and for the purposes of this blog post. All opinions and comments are my own. Giveaway prizing provided by Disney Book Group.