Part 1
I started this blog post a few weeks ago, but the holiday season has already taken over my time. I have been grading non-stop, too. (I am a teacher). The first two weeks of December are my busiest for grading.
Right after Thanksgiving, and sometimes before, I bring out my Christmas books. When my children were little, I would try to add one new book a year, and I am still buying children’s Christmas books. It is hard to stop! Now, the grandkids can enjoy them, too. I even catch my grown children looking for their favorites.
Eloise Wilkins was an American illustrator (1904 – 1987) well-known for her Little Golden Books. She produced around three Golden Books per year, many of which are collectors’ items. I bought this book in 1999 purely for the illustrations and because I recognized her.
I read parts of this book every Christmas. Again, I bought this book for the illustrations. P. J. Lynch is an Irish children’s book illustrator.
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” “For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” “Bah,” said Scrooge, “Humbug.” “Marley was dead.”
Christmas 1994
Charming illustrations. It is the story of a young family who drive to a “nice forgotten place where our town ends” where they find “their tree.” By the moonlight, the family decorates the tree with popcorn chains, apples, tangerines, balls of sunflower seeds, and pressed millet and honey. Then, they scatter shelled nuts, breadcrumbs, and pieces of apples “for the creatures who can’t climb very well.” They spread a blanket, drink hot chocolate, and sing songs before returning home.
The Snowman: A Classic Christmas book. Written in 1978. I bought this book around 1990. The story is more a winter’s tale than a Christmas tale—a wordless book with colored pencil illustrations. A nameless boy builds a snowman. Later that night, his snowman comes alive in his dreams.
I love this scene when the boy and Snowman take flight. Raymond Briggs is from South Downs, by Brighton, England and they fly directly over the Royal Pavilion and the Palace Pier. This illustration is so pretty.
The Berenstain Bears and Sesame Street! These were all favorites of my kids.
Christmas in Catland – I bought this book while I was on study abroad in England in 1981. I fell in love with the kitties, Tilly and Minnie, and the scenes of an old English Christmas with Christmas pudding, mince pies, a plump turkey, and mistletoe. This book is out of print.
This scene reminds me of the opening scene of the Nutcracker.
A Christmas Wish: A Peter Rabbit Tale 2017
Newer book. If you like Peter Rabbit, then this is a must. Can Peter wait up long enough to see Santa come? He hears all sorts of sounds, thinking it might be Santa—the cutest illustrations with our favorite rabbits, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.
Stay tuned for Part II! What are your favorite Christmas books?
Leave a Reply