Christmas, seen through the eyes of a child, is magical, colorful-full of possibilities and wonder. The children's books of the season relay these same delights and offer illustrations and photography that are magical in their own right. Read alone, or better yet, aloud with a child cuddled up at your side, a book is a lasting gift. Among this year's offerings:
Christmas Farm, by Mary Lyn Ray
Wilma was ready to expand her garden beyond the sunflowers and petunias she had always grown and decided that the Balsam Christmas trees that a catalog offered were a good idea. She ordered 62 dozen beginning shoots. With that number she knew she would need the help of her neighbor, Parker, a young boy who shared her enthusiasm for gardening. Digging 62 dozen holes, in 24 rows, would hopefully result in 744 healthy trees. The winter storms, hungry mice and moose claimed a number of the trees over the few years they were growing, and when it came time to cut them down and sell them there were just over 500 remaining. Despite the decreased numbers, the excitement of seeing the families take the trees off to their homes for the holidays and the cut trunks beginning to shoot off new growths gear Wilma and Parker up for another growing season.
Santa's Snow Kitten, by Sue Stainton & Anne Mortimer
Within Santa's home there is a family of kittens - one pure white just like his mother. The kittens explore Santa's room and find, inside his wardrobe, big black boots, a red suit and a fur-rimmed hat. But it is the big red bag tied with a drawstring that intrigues the little white kitten. One evening he ventures out an open door and sees the red bag resting against the large shed at the end of the yard. By the time he reaches it, not seen because he blends with the white snow, he is cold and tired. Cuddling up inside the big bag he begins an evening that provides an adventurous holiday tale. The illustrations themselves tell a heartwarming story.
Letter on the Wind, by Sarah Marwill Lamstien
The parched earth withered the fruit of the olive trees leaving the little town with no oil to light their menorahs. Hayim, the poorest man in the village, asked the town scribe to write a letter to the Almighty, asking for enough oil to keep their celebrations burning. The letter, released into the wind, is caught a distance away by a wealthy merchant who feels he is being asked by the Almighty to provide the oil. He includes a lamp that has his name engraved on it and when the town's folks see the lamp word spreads that Hayim is a thief. It is the good will of the merchant that saves his name and the future celebrations of the tiny town.
Bear's First Christmas, by Robert Kinerk
A noise disturbs a tiny bear as he sleeps his winter nap in a cave and he ventures out to find a hungry crow. As he tries to help the crow, he comes upon a hungry moose and a family of partridges whose home is crushed by a snowfall. As they venture on they come across a home lit by a holiday celebration and wonder at the spark of warmth they feel from peering at the gathering through the windows. Deciding to return to the bear's cave they fan the spark - "and by sharing grew more and more sweet" in their connection.
Stranger in the Woods, by Carl R. Sams & Jean Stoick
A photographic fantasy, "Stranger in the Woods" quietly leads the reader through a snowy wood as its animal citizens spread the news of a stranger in their presence. Blue jays, owls, mourning doves and a buck are shown in their natural habitat. As they gather and approach the intruder, they find it not to be threatening - seeds in its hat's rim, a carrot for a nose and corn hidden in the snow around its snowball base. As the feast ends two small children peer from beneath the evergreen boughs and make plans to restock the buffet.
Brava, Strega Nona, by Tomie dePaola
In a whimsical pop-up book that unwinds generously into fantastic scenes, colorful family member Nona relays her thoughts on the magical things that make life special. "A magical life begins with family" leads to a warm and winding dining scene- "Eating together brings joy" she relays. Four other scenes grow from the pages as they unfold and her last exclamation, "Always share the love and it will bring you a magical life!" offering her sentiments for the season.