Picture Book about Christmas

Debbie Powell’s Walk This World at Christmastime

 

 

WALK THIS WORLD AT CHRISTMASTIME
Written by Big Picture Press
Illustrated by Debbie Powell
(Big Picture Press; $17.99, Ages 5-8)

 

 

Walk This World at Christmastime, a twenty-four-page picture book, is an interesting and unusual addition to your holiday books. Set up as an advent calendar, the relatively sturdy lift-the-flap windows numbering one through twenty-five reveal images and accompanying text. Each page has additional flaps for curious fingers to discover, bringing the total of interactive windows to more than seventy. The left-hand page contains a four-line loosely rhyming poem and the concluding line “Where am I?” Beautiful background illustrations and clues beneath the flaps help readers solve this question (the answer is provided on the right-hand page).

A younger child will enjoy the many tactile experiences and the colorful, abundant pictures. Older kids will gain a deeper understanding of how different cultures celebrate Christmas around the world, learning our similarities such as “Candles at Christmas are a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness.” New ways to celebrate will be discovered as well: “The Gävle goat is a giant Swedish Yule goat made from straw.” Diversity in religious practices are explained: “In Lalibela, Ethiopia, Christian pilgrims dressed in white robes flock to the beautiful rock churches.” Interspersed historical tidbits inform, for example, that the first advent calendar was made in Germany in 1851.

Many pages have fun food facts. “The Chinese give gifts of apples on Christmas Eve,” “Enjoy a Lebanese Christmas feat of kibbeh pie—made from minced meat and bulgur—along with tabbouleh and honey cake.”

Walk This World at Christmastime concludes with an easy-to-follow world map depicting the book’s journey. A dotted line connects the countries and continents, uniting our world through our holiday celebrations.

Read about illustrator Debbie Powell here.

  • Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt

Writer, editor, and owner of Write for Success www.Write-for-Success.com

@WFSediting, Christine@Write-for-Success.com

Co-editor of and writer for SCBWI’s Kite Tales https://SCBWIKiteTales.wordpress.com/

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And Then Comes Christmas by Tom Brenner

AND THEN COMES CHRISTMAS
Written by Tom Brenner and Illustrated by Jana Christy
(Candlewick, $15.99, Ages 4-8)

And-Then-Comes-Christmas-cvr.jpg        

When your children seem especially eager for Christmas to come, then it’s time to reach for Brenner and Christy’s gentle, sequential countdown story AND THEN COMES CHRISTMAS. In a lovely lyrical style, Brenner follows a When/Then narrative that evokes all the special sights, sounds and smells of the season. “When the days barely start and they’re over again, and red berries blaze against green shrubs, and bare branches rake across the sky … Then hang boughs of fir or spruce or pine, dotted with cones and bits of holly, welcoming winter.”

In a snowy setting that looks vaguely like rural New England, two siblings engage in holiday traditions at school, at home and in the community. Brenner introduces wonderful imagery (“Wrap yourself in layers and tumble out of doors to romp in snow as smooth as bedcovers”) and accessible yet descriptive vocabulary (blaze, cling, dwindle) to set a joyous anticipatory scene. Visiting Santa, selecting a tree, baking goodies and making gifts are just a few of the holiday highlights.

 

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Interior spread from And Then Comes Christmas by Tom Brenner with illustrations by Jana Christy, Candlewick Press ©2014.

Christy’s illustrations balance cool, snowy outdoor landscapes with warm, cozy interiors. The blotted, misty edges add to an overall dreamy glow with lots of child-like appeal. The sister and brother are a cheery pair of role models, cooperative, considerate and connected. Parents will certainly hope young listeners feel inspired to recreate the satisfying scenes with as much seasonal spirit as these two do! Following the family’s lively little black dog throughout the book will be a fun attention-keeper for little ones.

AND THEN COMES CHRISTMAS is a well-paced picture book that highlights many of the special down-to-earth holiday moments that children savor. It is a lovely choice to add to your family’s Christmas reading traditions!

– Reviewed by Cathy Ballou Mealey

Where Obtained:  I reviewed a promotional copy of AND THEN COMES CHRISTMAS and received no compensation. The opinions expressed here are my own.

 

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The Christmas ABC by Florence Johnson

The Christmas ABC, written by Florence Johnson and illustrated by Eloise Wilkin (A Little Golden Book Classic, $3.99; Ages 2 and up), is reviewed by Rita Zobayan.

The Christmas ABC by Florence Johnson
The Christmas ABC by Florence Johnson with illustrations by Eloise Wilkin, A Little Golden Book Classic, 2013.

 

Christmas is a time of family gatherings and memories, and the Little Golden Book Classic The Christmas ABC captures that spirit perfectly. Filled with nostalgia, it is a sweet book that harkens to the simple and innocent feel of Christmases past.

A is for Angels looking down from above, Guardians of Heaven that sing of God’s love.

K is for Kitten, so warm and so cozy when Santa comes in, so jolly and rosy.

N is for Neighbors who come over to say, “Merry Christmas to all, what a joyous day!”

Y is for Yuletide, the time for good cheer, When Santa and presents and stockings appear.

The illustrations complement the text with images that are sentimental and cheery. My youngest daughter especially enjoyed picking out the extra details, such as the cookie shapes (tree, reindeer, wreath, and Santa) that adorn the P for plum pudding page. Whether you have a preschooler who’s learning the alphabet or you enjoy a trip down Christmas lane, The Christmas ABC is sure to be a pleaser from A-Z!

 

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