Each room of this house is filled with special memories of past holidays, and each family member feels the excitement of Christmas present. The poems in this wonderful collection are small cameos complete unto themselves, but, when all are strung together, they paint a larger, brilliant picture of a family. Full color.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In a series of tender, free-verse poems, a house and its inhabitants are each given voice to express their thoughts about the holiday. The house itself talks about the curious children on Christmas morning: "My stairs know their quiet steps/ before dawn." The cat laments the loud bustle of visitors, while parents, grandparents and other family members all focus on what Christmas means (e.g., "This is the always house of the forever childhood and I am happy to be here"). Calder's sure-handed paintings fittingly depict an impressive range of perspectives, in keeping with the varied narrators. Soft light from candles, the moon, the Christmas tree and fireplace bring additional depth to a delicate palette and well-appointed details. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Ages 6-9. Here are Christmas reminiscences told by parallel voices, some human, some not. The house, which has seen so many holiday memories, begins: "I know about children. / They never sleep that night. / My stairs know their quiet steps." And while there are many joyous remembrances included, from the grandparents and some of the grandchildren and the dog, this is not just holiday puffery. Father wonders if Christmas is all about saving all year for toys and baubles. Young Nick worries about the phony smile he'll have to plaster on his face when he gets presents he doesn't like. Turner's very free verse is thoughtful without ever becoming overly sentimental, while Calder's full-page paintings nicely capture the mood of each speaker. A holiday book with lots of readings in it--this gets inside the Christmas spirit. Ilene Cooper
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More About the Author
I was born in a small town in Western Massachusetts to creative parents who always encouraged my writing and painting. I went to Bates College, majored in English, and spent a wonderful year abroad in Oxford, England, giving me a taste for neat Scotch, Evensong, and very old churches and buildings. I've been married long enough to break all records and have two grown children. I am especially drawn to telling stories about outsiders, rebellious girls, and people who don't fit in--as I didn't growing up. I was always a bit too loud, too passionate, moved too fast, made up too many stories, and thought that life moved just a tad too slowly for me. I love to cook, garden, swim, pet my wild Jack Russell terrier, talk to friends and my "kids," and laugh at my husband's wild, original stories. I also actually answer letters and emails sent to me by fans, and when I do school visits, I tell people--"Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't do it!"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This should be on the best seller list.,
By gcfeeney@aol.com (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Christmas House (Library Binding)
Being a first grade teacher and avid children's literature fan, I came across this book in our school library. The cover was absolutely gorgeous and it invited me to open it up. The author allows you to view how each family member remembers the highs and lows of Christmas, including the family pets. When I read the book to my class, the conversations and discussion tumbled into building Christmas memories and traditions of their own. This story catapulted us into one of the most memorable teaching experiences of my life. I highly reccommend it to anyone who works with children. When I shared this book with other faculty members, each had the same response,"Where can I get it?" I am unsure why this book is not being printed. Perhaps the publisher needs to receive a few phone calls! This book is a million emotion investment!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soon to be classic,
By Teresa (Portland,ME) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Christmas House (Library Binding)
This is a book about Christmas memories as told from the every perspective. Everything from the house's perspective to the people living in the house to the people's pet. I really enjoyed reading this book. The different ways the stories of Christmas are told really makes the book that much better. The illustrations in this book really draw you into the story. This would be a great book to use in a writing lesson on perspective. I really enjoyed the way the author flipped the story around between people, pets and the actual house.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Christmas House For Everyone,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Christmas House (Hardcover)
Anyone who has any childhood memories at all will love this book, don't read it without a box of kleenex close by
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