Some of my favorite Christmas books to read to children during the holidays.
Some excellent children’s literature written in the last forty years relate outstanding Christmas stories for children. About 1980 a wealth of such works appeared, yet good Christmas literature appeared in the 19th century. I love the genre. I suppose it is because I was born about a week before Christmas. That’s why I was named Carol; my mother hoped I would have a beautiful voice. That didn’t quite happen but I still love the holiday time.
In the 1960s and ‘70s children’s literature became more and more popular. Some is absolutely lovely, while other pieces are really crass. I believe that literature should have class, should be well written, and should inspire or entertain the reader. We expect that in adult literature, so why not for children.
Gloria Houston wrote “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” in 1988 after doing extensive research. Working with artist Barbara Cooney they presented readers with what Kirkus Reviews called “a heartwarming holiday story, simply told.” The setting is the Appalachian Mountain region of the United States in 1918. Of course, it involves a poor mountain man who is conscripted into the Army, leaving a young wife and little girl at home. You see why I enjoyed it.
Another of my favorites is “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Based on the 1951 opera, Gian Carlo Menotti simplified his work to make it readable and interesting for children. Michele Lemieux illustrated the work so well the reader can imagine the dust and dirt the Three Wise Men encountered on their journey to Jerusalum.
Numerous versions of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” are available. In this case, the lyrics remain the same while the quality of the work depends upon the imagination of the artist. Hilary Knight and David Delamare produced clever interpretations.
British authors and illustrators produce outstanding works for this time of the year. Janet and Allan Ahlberg are such artists and writers. They often create pop-up books that very young children can enjoy and after a couple of readings, know the plot and recite the words. “The Jolly Christmas Postman” makes his way across newly fallen snow in rural England on a bicycle, stopping at such places at the Three Bears’ home and that of the Gingerbread Boy. He discovered Humpty Dumpty at Hospital where the doctor, the nurse, and the lady with the alligator purse mend him, again! Take a guess where he stopped last and got a free ride home in an air-borne sleigh.
I guarantee any of these classic books will get you in the spirit of the season.