Customer Reviews

The Animals' Merry Christmas (Little Golden Books (Random House))

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was so excited to see this finally reprinted, I immediately bought a copy for myself and my one-year-old niece. Upon it's arrival, though, I was deeply disappointed to find that it is not an exact reprint. Several stories, including two of my *absolute* favorites, are missing. So, if you adore "The Christmas Lamb," "Mr. Hedgehog's Christmas Feeling," or "The Lion's Plum Pudding" beware that they are MISSING!!! I really wish another review would have mentioned this, because I would have thought twice about it, so I felt I must post this so you know exactly what you are getting. It is still a lovely book, and I cherish many of the stories that are there, but the ones that are missing leave a very big hole as far as I'm concerned.

This was my sister's and my favorite holiday book. We are so excited to be able to share it with our latest generation. As soon as I learned it was in reprint again I immediately ordered three copies. I was delighted when they arrived to see that the book has stood up over time and all our favorites were still there. The story of The Bare Polar Bear was our most beloved. But I was thrilled to reread the "Terrible Teddy Bear" and "The Golden Sled." And who could forget "The Goose That Stuffed Herself" and the elephants Trumpet and Clarinda in "A Very Big Christmas." This truly is a must have for children between 4 and 10 who celebrate Christmas to have on their bookselves. The stories and illustrations will live in their memories for decades as they have with my sister, mother and me. It is wonderful to be reunited with such wonderful old friends.

For my siblings and me, the absolute favorite book from our childhood that certainly deserves resurrection. Its wonderful and mostly humorous Christmas stories and poems are centered around animals and all subtly present caring and giving as their centerpiece. The Richard Scarry illustrations that accompany it are fantastic.

I am delighted that this favorite book has now been reprinted! I've tried for years to buy additional copies. This book was given to me by an aunt, and I have loved these timeless stories for over fifty years. Each of my three children grew up first hearing then reading the stories each year. This Christmas my grandaughter, who is only three months old, will receive her very own copy. She will be the fourth generation in our family to cuddle up and enjoy these delightful animal tales.

As a child, my mother first read these wonderful stories to me, then we read them together and then I read them on my own--even after I might have been considered 'too old' for children's books. Now I am repeating this same pattern with my daughter. This wonderful collection of funny, sweet and charmingly illustrated stories and poems brings spirit of the holiday season to life without being ponderous, overly sentimental or cliche. I'm so glad to see that it is available again for new generations to enjoy.

I bought this book for my 5-year-old daughter's November birthday based on the reviews posted here. We have been enjoying the stories night after night since then. This is a treasury of stories about different animals celebrating Christmas in very simple and joyous ways. Each tale is charming yet teaches something valuable about giving. The Richard Scarry illustrations are delightful as well.

My parents read this book to me when I was a child and I've always loved it. My favorite poem in it is called "A Pigs Merry Christmas". In it a pig goes to the store to shop for friends and ends up buying only for himself...late he sees that it's much more fun to give than to get!

Four stars because this book is so wonderful, but Golden Books has a nasty habit of making some deletions when reprinting their classics. There are also a few pages missing from the reprinted "Santa's Toy Shop," another Christmas favorite.

Four stars anyway because the deleted stories were not particular favorites of mine, but people who remember the original will be disappointed. Better this, however, than no Richard Scarry, and I do not want to discourage anyone from purchasing this marvelous book and reading it to the current generation of children. This is my 60th Christmas, and few of my Christmas memories are more precious than those wrapped up with this book.

My grandparents lived far away while I was growing up. One Christmas my grandma taped herself reading the book for us. I have wonderful memories of listening to that tape and looking at the pictures as we read along. This is a lovely Christmas book.

My copy of The Animals Merry Christmas was published in 1950 and I received it from my mother. I was about seven. I am 68 now. I have enjoyed this book all my life and have read the stories to children at schools at Christmas time. The stories were by Kathryn Jackson and pictures by Richard Scarry. Much beloved in my family. I recommend this book to any child who loves to read. I think the stories hold up really well.