The Jolly Christmas Postman

The Jolly Christmas Postman

Janet and Allan Ahlberg 2001

We've enjoyed the original Jolly Postman book (combining two of my favorite things- mail and books!) so we were thrilled to get our hands on a Christmas version.

It's snowy and cold, but the Jolly postman is on his rounds, this time with Christmas cards and presents for all the nursery rhyme folk.  There's a puzzle for Humpty Dumpty and a game for Red Riding Hood and a cheeky bit of mail for the Wolf.  The final envelope comes from none other than Mr. and Mrs. Santa themselves and it's a particularly special treat for the postman (and us!).

The Twelve Days of Christmas LeUyen Pham

The Twelve Days of Christmas

illustrated by LeUyen Pham 2014

Another version of the Twelve Days of Christmas with lusciously colorful illustrations.  We loved the multicultural element that was woven in, and the last riotous page bursting with things to find. 

Onion Journey

We've had a rash of good finds at the thrift store lately.  This being one of them.

Onion Journey

Julia Cunningham

illustrated by Lydia Cooley 1967

Cooley's illustrations are so sweet and tender in this mystical story of a boy left alone on Christmas.  His grandmother mysteriously leaves him an onion, and it's up to him to discover its purpose as he wanders the meadow and woods caring for animals and facing his fears.  It's light on plot and heavy on descriptive prose, so it's more of a slow sleepy-time read.

The Third Gift

The Third Gift

Linda Sue Park

illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline 2011 

Curious about the origin of myrrh, author Linda Sue Park has crafted a story about a boy and his father who harvest the resin "tears" from the myrrh trees in the desert.  One day they are sold to three strangers who tell the boy that they will be a gift for a baby.  Park writes about the historical tradition of the three wise men and says this about her simple story, "I love thinking about the roles of ordinary people in history's great events."  

Christmas Poems

Christmas Poems

collected by Myra Cohn Livingston

illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman 

A rather nice collection of seasonal poems.  Hyman's 3 color illustrations appear throughout and are of course as fantastic as always. 

Where You Came From

Where You Came From

Sara O'Leary

illustrated by Julie Morstad

 2008

There's no anatomical lesson here, just a fanciful, sweet way to answer the classic childhood questions, "where did I come from?".

Charlotte told me that when she was 3 she thought that she came in the mail!  

Too Quiet for These Old Bones

I'd like to think this is the kind of grandmother I'll be someday- wanting noise and excitement!  I do love when there's lots of kids in my house and a bit of chaos.  I don't know why, but it makes me happy!

Too Quiet for These Old Bones

Tres Seymour

pictures by Paul Brett Johnson 1997

Four children have to spend a boring day at their quiet grandmother's house.  But what they soon find out is that their grandmother craves a ruckus! They set off rockets and bang pots and pans and sing and yell as loud as they can, all at their grandmother's urging!