Tales for Tra-La-La Day by Steve Michael Reedy, Illustrated by Tom Fee

A fanciful collection of short stories centered around an imaginative fictional holiday, Tales for Tra-La-La Day by Steve Michael Reedy is a magical anthology of festive fables.

From stories about the origins of a sacred song to dire parables about overconsumption and greed, each story adds a new and intriguing facet to this tall tale of a town, bursting with the energy of a beloved fairy tale realm in the making. “The Iceling Queen” is one of the most touching pieces in the collection, providing a compelling backstory for the creative holiday, but each story has the gleam of brilliance and wisdom, laced with lessons on moderation, sacrifice, the importance of gratitude, the power of a kind heart, the bonds of neighbors, and other insights.

The lyrical passages of poetry throughout the collection are sharply crafted, boasting clever rhymes and a consistent meter without ever forcing any awkward couplets, while the language of the prose is an ideal level for a parent and child to read along together. The illustrations are also magnificently detailed and evocative, providing moody silhouetted pairings for Reedy’s varied and inventive storytelling.

All told, this is a vividly realized and charming collection, reminding readers of the importance of holiday gatherings with family, friends, and community, no matter what holiday you may celebrate.

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