The Christmas Story

The Christmas Story

illustrated by Sheilah Beckett

We still have our Christmas decorations up, so it's not too late to read anther Christmas book.  This one is a retelling of the Nativity story beautifully illustrated by Sheilah Beckett.  I can always spot her distinctive style when I'm digging through books at the thrift store and I snatch them up.  Here is a fascinating bio about her and her work:  http://femaleillustrators.blogspot.com/2010/05/sheilah-beckett-fairy-tale-career.html 

I'm also a fan of her Facebook page:  The Art of Sheilah Beckett

I would LOVE if there was a large coffee table book collection of her artwork (sort of like the Mary Blair one we have which Madeleine likes so much). 

 Other books illustrated by Sheila Beckett:

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Christmas Eve

(Good 'ol Walter de la Mare)

Night Tree

Night Tree

Eve Bunting 1994

illustrated by Ted Rand

Eve Bunting tells the story of a lovely Christmas tradition for one family.  Packing boxes full of popcorn strings, nuts and berries, a caring family heads out into the woods to find their special tree.  It's grown through the years, just like the children have and they marvel at the mystery and beauty of the forest.   It reminds me a little of Owl Moon- the language, the winter beauty, the quiet observation of nature.  A simple, soft Christmas book that we enjoy reading every year.

And look at this wonderful inscription on the title page!