Happy December 13th!
While cruising the internet searching for a topic for today's post, I stumbled over an interesting fact about this day in history:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens published, 6,000 copies sold.
That simple fact got me thinking about the stories we share and the traditions we pass on to our kids. Most importantly--it got me thinking about books.
I read to my kids on Christmas eve, when church is over and we've returned fat and happy from grandma's. Every year the entire family piles on the couch and I read. These days, my kids are teens and my eldest is nearly 21--but they still love the annual Christmas story hour. I read as the lights twinkle on the tree, and my youngest frees baby Jesus from his hiding place inside the hollow camel's back. She places baby J in the manger, and--off to bed my kids go. These days they go upstairs to facebook their friends and watch movies, but the tradition stands. Books, free Jesus, bed.
To my children, it's not really Christmas until I've read to them.
I'd like to share our Christmas reads with you--and maybe you can share yours with me.
Lisbeth Zwerger's illustrations add an air of fragility to O'Henry's classic tale. I'm more captivated by Zwerger's work than the story at times and I'm guilty of breaking off in the mid sentence to enjoy the pictures.
Before the brilliantly animated movie with Tom Hanks--there was the book, which we received in a box along with a silver bell and a single audio cassette. To this day when I read aloud, I can't help but hear William Hurt's voice breaking as he reads, and I choke up. I think the entire family chokes up. *g* I know you probably have heard the later versions, but if you have the chance, this version from 1989 is our favorite. 
And this one is my favorite--so well loved that tape holds the cover together. Harness' illustrations are fun for kids (where is that mouse?) and, like a good Victorian home, filled with so many knick-knacks and decorations, it's plain fun. Another treasure from BigGirl's first Christmas. 
And there you have it. I'd love to hear what stories were read to you as a child, or stories you read to your family. I'll select one commenter, by noon on Friday December 17th, for a $10 gift certificate to All Romance Ebooks. One entry per person, but feel free to comment as often as you like. *g*
Happy Advent! Remember to check out all the blogs on the Advent Tour!
LB
22 comments:
Great list, LBea! In my family, my sister-in-law collects illustrated Christmas books. Because she's a genius, at the end of every November, she wraps them all, and they go in a basket in their family room. Then every night before bed, one of her kids picks a book and opens it, and they read the story before bed. Brilliant! No?
My favorite Christmas related story is B is for Bethlehem an illustrated alphabet book. We also loved Santa Mouse, and still always leave cheese for him along with cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
Baby Jesus gestates in a camel hump? Um, wow. ;-)
I did NOT come from a family of readers, how I became a total addict I have no idea. I think I read the entire Harry Potter series, all 7 books out loud to my daughter. She's not much of a reader either (I'm blaming her paternal genetics for that), but she could listen to me read until my throat was raw.
I love How the Grinch Stole Christmas, all Dr. Seuss actually. We don't have the Christmas reading tradition but I LOVE A Christmas Carol and will read and watch any version, even Mickey Mouse.
I'd never even heard of the Polar Express until the movie came out, but then I didn't read the Chronicles of Narnia until I was 40 and reading them to my daughter. Guess I was deprived all those years but have been making up for lost time. :-)
If I were to pick a Christmas story, it would be The Night Before Christmas. We are more Christmas movie watchers.
I grew up a reader, but we didn't have any holiday reading traditions. Now I do try to read a lot of m/m holiday stories in December - does that count? :D
Kati~That IS genius and I sort of wish I'd thought of it! I love to give those illustrated books for Christmas, too, but I don't have Santa Mouse. Want.
Tam~It's a long story, but the upshot is, Jesus fits in the camels secret compartment. I know that sounds profane. I do. But he FITS and then we never forget where we put him.
There's a moral here...it's just at my fingertips...
Reading all these books as an adult is better than reading them as a child, don't you think? You certainly get more out of them.
BTW Mr. Magoo's A Christmas Carol is G's fav. Mine is still the Muppet version with Michael Caine and Rizzo the Rat. Sue me.
LindaC~And there are so many good movies to watch!
Chris~You bet your bottom it does.
In addition to all the great kid-friendly choices you included above, I recommend The Littlest Angel and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
Evey Christmas after dinner and before we open the presents my dad reads the story of Christ's birth from the bible. He's getting older and with 2 cataract surgeries and 2 corneal transplants under his belt it's getting harder and harder but he refuses to let anyone else do it. Brings tears to my eyes every year.
Other than that we read The Polar Express and The Snowman, which doesn't have any words but it's awesome. :)
The Lion, the Unicorn and Me. The Donkey's Christmas story by Jeanette Winterson is my favorite Christmas picture book. I first discovered the story on Winterson's website, where it's available online http://www.jeanettewinterson.com/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=521, but have since read it also in printed form. Rosalind MacCurrach's illustrations in the printed book are simply lovely.
Greetings,
Tiina
Sprite~I think I sent Littest Christmas pageant to my niece last year!
Tracy~That brought tears to my eyes just reading about it. :)
Tina~Thanks for sharing that link--I loved the illustrations!
Lovely review of the classic literature of the season!
Kelly
marwhitpinky12@yahoo.com
When it comes to Christmas two things comes to mind every year. The Night Before Christmas story and The Little Drummer Boy. I love these so much even now that I am a great grandma. susan L
What a wonderful list, I see a few favorites here, as well as some I will have to save for my grand kids.
Our tradition was to always read, Twas the Night Before Christmas, every Christmas Eve.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
reading Christmas books is a great tradition--we read all of these stories too. This year I found a new story to add to my collection. The Paper Bag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne. Merry Christmas.
Anonymous ~Thank you! It's always a treat to participate in the advent tour.
Susan~I think that means the stories are timeless! That song gets me, especially the Bowie/Crosby version.
CAthy M~It's such a great tradition. I sort of hog this one and I won't let anyone else read the book, but my 14 year old informs me that she's reading it this year. *g*
Kaye~Thanks so much for that one! I'll be sure to check it out.
And thanks to everyone who stopped by!
LB
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