Told Under the Christmas Tree

 Merry Christmas!  How about a vintage book illustrated by Maud and Miska Petersham?  It has Christmas themed poetry and short stories and even includes some Hanukkah ones!

Told Under the Christmas Tree

illustrated by Maud and Miska Petersham 1952

Love, love, love this cover!

Here I Am, Lord

 Based on the French versions of G. Vauthiers "Le Psautier des jeunes chretien" (which in turn was inspired by Pope Pius XII's Psalter), the Boland's illustrations make this book a lovely piece of art.  The Psalms are accompanied by soft round-faced pictures in medieval style.  I don't think I have any other Boland books, but I love their artwork so I will definitely be on the lookout for more!

Here I Am, Lord

G. Vauthier

illustrations by Josette and Suzanne Boland 1960

The Wee Christmas Cabin

The Wee Christmas Cabin

Margaret Hodges

illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root 2009

A sweet folklore tale about a foundling child who grows up to simply want a cozy cottage of her own.  But though her life proves to be full of hardship and wandering and displacement she never loses her kind heart.  Finally one snowy night the fairy folk take pity on her and build for her a little house that she can call her own.  A nice magical Christmas story.

Snowflake

Snowflake

Paul Gallico 1953

Frankly I was unprepared for how profound this story was.  Paul Gallico's lyrical writing tells of a snowflake, made in the clouds and coming to earth in a small mountain village.  That begins the gentle story of her life, all that she sees and wonders about.  Gradually she melts and begins a journey through rivers and lakes and adulthood.  Don't look for any scientific accuracy, this story is all allegory, contemplation about the meaning of our existence, our purpose, our time and experience through life, and our place in the universe.  Pretty heavy stuff, but told in a beautiful, simple way.  It's nice as a read aloud children's book, but probably best suited for those of us experiencing the existential crisis of middle age!