So, we’re nearing the end of 2010. Good year? Bad year?
I don’t know if I’m weird (okay, I am generally weird but I’m being more specific here) but I have a tendency to prefer even numbered years. I get a bit antsy when I’m heading into an odd one. Looking back over 2010 I have to admit it’s been one of my favourite years so far…(I’m talking personally here – let’s try and forget politically, economically and globally catastrophic!) So good in fact, that I’m even more nervous than usual about starting ‘odd’ 2011 in case it all goes pear shaped.
Anyway, I’m supposed to be talking about books not sharing my odd superstitions.
Christmas themed titles for kids tend to be for younger readers, so my list will be mostly picture books… but that’s no bad thing, since it’s lovely to get an opportunity to talk about them.
First off, my favourite Nativity Story ever! There are loads and loads of picture books telling this story but none better than one from the point of view of a very, very tired and extremely grumpy innkeeper. Jesus’ Christmas party by Nicholas Allan is funny, but still traditional. Kids absolutely love the fury with which he greets every caller at his door on Christmas Eve by yelling ‘Round the Back!’ and stomping back up to bed again. My favourite part is at the end, the look on his face when he gazes into the manger… awwww.
One of the runaway bestsellers this year has to be Aliens Love Panta Claus by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. This is a fabulous series of books all based around something that kids find endlessly fascinating… pants! This time though, instead of pants being stolen the Aliens are giving pants away for Christmas. The rhyming text is fantastic and the illustrations are wonderful.
This is sure to make any child laugh out loud this Christmas.
One of my absolute favourite snowy picture books isn’t about Christmas at all. In fact, because of the chaos the snow has caused me these past few weeks I would have every right to take agin this book… but I love it too much to do that. Diamond in the Snow by Jonathan Emmett and Vanessa Cabban is utterly gorgeous. Mole finds a diamond in the snow, but when he takes it back to show his friends the diamond has vanished in his hand. The beautiful illustrations and simply told gentleness of this tale about the wonders of nature are sure to please both children and adults.
This is a book to read over and over.
So… how do you feel about sprouts? Always a contentious subject round the Christmas dinner table in our house. The sprout lovers on one side, the haters on the other… it can get messy. Capturing this eternal Christmas war beautifully is The Smelly Sprout by Allan Plenderleith. He plays on our childhood fears of small, squishy round things that smell like school dinners and taste like… *shudder*… Chucked out the house on Christmas day, no one wants Smelly Sprout and the poor sprout encounters some very un-goodwill to all men (or sprouts) behaviour. The repetition of ‘Out Smelly Sprout’ on every page can be yelled at the top of your voice… if you like.
This is a fabulously funny book with an underlying message of being nice to everyone at Christmas (even sprouts!).
The story of the Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen isn’t technically about Christmas, it’s about New Year… but it’s Festive and so heartbreaking and it makes me cry every single time… so it’s on the list. I have a fabulous boxed hardcover edition on my shelves by Werner Thuswaldner and illustrated by Robert Ingpen. This edition really isn’t a picture book, the language used is quite advanced and the artwork is… well, art rather than illustrations. It is such a beautiful edition that it would make an ideal gift to be treasured for Christmases to come. I have been recommending this for older children because despite it’s rather harrowing storyline there is a sort of happy-ish ending… I guess.
Something else for older children that I’ve found to be really popular, especially for boys is War Game by Michael Foreman. This is a story about four enthusiastic friends who join up during the First World War. They’ve gone from playing football on the village green to all the horrors that war can throw at them. Then one memorable Christmas Day…
Crammed full of historical detail and fabulously written, this is an extraordinary book that will appeal to older boys who may not be quite so enthusiastic about reading as parents would like.
So that’s it. I’m going to stop now before I take up the entire home page with title upon title. I have so many more that I could include but I’m sure that’s enough to get you going.
In closing, can I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and here’s hoping, despite 2011 being an odd year, that it will be a very happy odd one… just like me 
You are not alone, Eve! I prefer being even-numbered ages, weirdly, ie I prefer being 46 to 45, so am not looking forward to 2011, when I turn 47. Roll on 2012! My husband of course is exactly the opposite as he prefers being the odd ages – luckily his good years coincide with mine, phew …
And I love sprouts!
Anne
xxx
Brilliant recommendations here, Eve. I think I want them all (with the possible exception of The Little Match Girl, which reduces me to a sobbing wreck). Many thanks!
My goodness, what variety! Kids’ books have really gotten creative since I was little. I almost wish I knew a little kid to show them some of these books. The mole & sprout ones look especially enjoyable.
Hope that 2011 is a good year for everyone!
I am with you Lisa, I sob at the story of “The Little Match Girl,” but have to admit that it is a great story. When it comes to the Holiday’s I try to present my kids with not only Holiday books, but thoughtful books . The other day I picked one up titled, “The Thanksgiving Coat: Illustrated by Kailee” by Elizabeth A. Hoadley… I know, I know, this is a book that most would read around Thanksgiving, however I thought it fit in well with the spirit of Christmas since it sensitizes children to homelessness, hunger and sharing with optimistic verse- the illustrations are also beautiful.
I’m the opposite – I prefer odd years! Thanks so much for this post, I love picture books. Whenever I’m very ill, I dig out my old Jolly Postman books to cheer me up. I can’t wait til my friends start having children so I can start buying all these lovely books! But War Game, being for older children, is one I think I could get away with getting out of the library. Thanks, Eve!