THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

Molly Mouse wants a tree, and with her mother's encouragement she and her siblings forage for decorations. Each ornament they find—a snippet of ribbon, a crab apple and so on—belongs to a predator, but because it's Christmas, there's a bit of a truce in the air. In a climactic finale, all the animals gather peacefully beneath a glittering tree (literally, thanks to silver foil overlay stardust). Sweet but not treacly, this agreeable tale from a British team is graced with soft, expressive watercolors. Ages 3-7. (Sept.)