Customer Reviews

Children Of Christmas (Orchard Paperbacks)

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4 star:		(1)
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All these stories deal with sad, lonely, displaced people and how they find a spot of warmth and happiness on Christmas Eve. Several of them moved me to tears, and although my eight-year-old son claimed some were "boring," each one lead to a long discussion between us. A sick, homeless woman finds shelter in a library; a christmas tree farmer goes out and consoles the trees that haven't been chosen; a boy learns to comfort his bereaved grandfather....these different perspectives on a sometimes sugar-coated holiday remind us to count our blessings.

In simple language, Rylant paints short, sweet, and sad portraits of people during the Christmas season.

Children are prominently featured. From a young boy's understanding of his ailing grandfather to a young girl who simply walks through her city streets in search of peace on Christmas Eve, each tale tells a bittersweet side to the holidays.

This has been a family favorite for years, and has led to many discussions with my children. Although they are now both young adults, I suspect we will continue to read these to each other this Christmas.

Thank-you to those who reviewed this book and let me know it was the one for which I am searching. I borrowed it from the library as a book on tape many years ago and still think of the stories - the father who brings the puppy home, the cat in the cafe, and the little boy who climbs into bed with his grandparents - his gift to them. I love these stories, but had no idea what the book is title. Soon, I will have a copy to read out loud to my lovely, grown daughters.