The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

This book is quintessential holiday cheer and festivities, with nursery rhyme references thrown in to boot. The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg is an interactive Christmas story about a postman who goes about his day delivering Christmas letters, packages, and cheer to all his magical and legendary neighborhood friends. 

On the back of every page is an envelope that has a goodie inside for kids to take out, unfold, read, play with (!) or chuckle at. Adults will enjoy the satire and the irony of how some of these tales have played out in the Ahlberg's imagination. It's a delightful read and a fun book to look through. I remember reading this with my friend when she had it about 15 years ago, and being mesmerized by all the little pieces to the story that can be taken apart and manipulated. 

This book includes Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, the Gingerbread Man, Wolfe & Little Red Riding Hood, Humpty Dumpty, and Goldilocks and the Three Little Bears. Let's not forget the Dish & the Spoon as well. I don't often encourage people to buy books, but rather to peruse your local thrift stores, garage sales, and heavily use the library, but this book is worth the price tag. Go new, too, because you don't want ripped letters and lost puzzle pieces, either. It's a sweet little book that I imagine my kids, when in their teenage years, will want me to save for their future children, because they have happy memories of looking through it every December. 

An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco

I didn't mean to have two book reviews by the same author this month, especially with Christmas titles, but it just happened that way. I fell in love with Patricia Polacco's Christmas story, An Orange for Frankie, when I read it for the first time, to my children before bed.

The story is about a large family, the Stowells, who don't have a lot, but have enough and each other, and Christmas is coming. The family holds off on decorating until their Pa gets back from getting their Christmas oranges to put on the mantle, one for each child. It's Frankie's favorite thing about Christmas. Although Pa is taking longer than normal to return, the family distracts themselves with making food and helping a train car full of hobos to wash up with warm bath, eat, and drink hot coffee, perhaps the first real meal they've had in weeks.

Frankie enjoys talking to the men and recognizes some of them from times before. He sees a new man who is older than the others, and notices he doesn't even have a shirt on underneath his threadbare coat. He tells the 'mister' to stay right there and he gets his nicest Christmas sweater (and the only one that fits well, knitted by his sister) to give to the man to keep warm in.

A few days after this encounter, the family is sick with worry over their Pa, as the winter weather has been blowing hard for days. If I told you the two important things that happen in the end of the book, I'd be spoiling the story for you. All that to say, it's a book about kindness, sharing with others who have less, and the love between a family. A longer book than most bedtime stories, but one that is as touching as it is beautifully illustrated, and surely worth the time spent sharing it together.

December Special: The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

For the month of December, I'll focus on mostly Christmas books to share since our family is entrenched in celebrating, decorating, and doing all things holiday. The first book I'm going to write about was actually a book first showed to me by The Well-Read Sleepyhead's own Maria! I had never heard of this book before perusing it at her house while our kids played, and I've loved it ever since. I need to get my own copy for our Christmas book collection, and this edition from our local library actually has an audio cd with it. 

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski is a beautiful story of a young family and a heartbroken man, coming together to share gifts, hospitality, and the joy of the Christmas season. Jonathan Toomey is a cranky woodcarver and has been commissioned by the widow McDowell and her son, Thomas, to create a nativity scene by Christmas Day. 

With painful memories barely held at bay, Jonathan works diligently on the items, with the young boy sneaking in to sit by him, even though he makes it clear he likes to be alone. Soon a friendship forges between the two, and Jonathan softens as he is touched by Thomas' and the widow's kindness. 

Without giving too much of this story away, I will say it's a story that if read aloud, will need a couple tissues handy. The pictures are gorgeous and are done in watercolor, though they resemble painted portraits with oil because of the thickness of the features. 

Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas by Antonie Schneider

I'm that person.

The person that gets all starry-eyed and ready for Christmas festivities in November. And I'm talking about the 'Before Thanksgiving November,' not the socially-accepted 'After Thanksgiving November.'

Now, I don't put up the tree, my family doesn't set up the Christmas village, or start playing Christmas music yet. I still feel that these should be savored and are more enjoyable if I wait. But I start thinking of gifts for family. And charity donations. And planning holiday traditions.

Last year, rather than candy in the advent calendar, we had activities, books and crafts to do as a family. Each day of the Christmas season we made time to do something special together as a family. I loved that new tradition, which can only be accomplished with November planning.

One holiday tradition I love is holiday books. Little Tomato always gets a book on Christmas, but we also usually add a book to our holiday book collection during December.  Last year the book was "Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas."

Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas by Antonie Schneider

The Advent Storybook is about little Benjamin Bear whose mother weaves him a tale every night of December in preparation for Christmas. Each night, she tells a thread of the story about another little bear who is on a journey to Bethlehem. The little bear is led by a shining star on his long journey, and his path is crossed by many fellow travelers and creatures. Each story has a lesson on kindness, selflessness, bravery, faith and love.  The little bear's journey brings him closer to Jesus both literally, on his journey to Bethlehem, and figuratively, through his understanding of what Jesus represents. It is a wonderful book to read before bed each night of December.

Happy Holidays!