Christmas Magic [Hardcover]

Michael Garland (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2001 | Age Level: 3 and up

When lonely Emily tiptoes out of bed on Christmas Eve, she witnesses wild holiday enchantment in action-her cat and dog have learned how to sing "Jingle Bells," a rowdy crowd of mice are baking pies in the kitchen, and the snow-woman Emily built earlier in the day to keep her company has come to life! The best magic of all, however, is in Emily's brand-new friendship with the shy boy next door, which begins when they realize that they alone have witnessed the fantastical late-night happenings.

Michael Garland's stunning illustrations are showcased in the ornate Victorian setting of Emily's home and neighborhood. Infused with warmth and mysterious action, this book is a gentle, joyful reminder that no matter what else the holiday brings, love and friendship hold the true magic of Christmas.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Magical merriment breaks out at Emily's house on Christmas Eve, when she sneaks out of bed to discover singing pets, a chorus line of stockings and a snowman and snowwoman dancing on the front lawn. The story line is a bit of fluff, but the real point here is Garland's (The Mouse Before Christmas) artwork. Exterior scenes fare best (notably a lilac sunrise seen through a stand of skeletal trees) while the interiors, with their surreal juxtaposition of objects and oddly flattened perspectives, are not as compelling. Ages 3-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 2-On a Christmas Eve that seems especially magical, a little girl builds a snow-woman. During the night, she sees Katrina come to life and dance with the snowman next door, the stockings jump down from the mantel and form a chorus line, and mice bake pies. It could all have been a dream, but in the morning, the two snow people who started out in different yards are standing side-by-side. The illustrations of a Victorian household and a snowy night are stronger than the text, which has a somewhat contrived plot and flat prose.-V. W.GIBBONS, Gail. Christmas Is- illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Holiday House. Oct. 2001. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1582-1. LC PreS-Gr 2-A first introduction to Christmas that briefly explains the birth of Christ; some of the popular figures and symbols such as angels, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus, Christmas trees, stockings, and gifts; and how the holiday is celebrated. Gibbons masterfully explains concepts simply, clearly, and in a visually appealing way. Her two to three sentences per topic (with the exception of Christ's birth) give just enough information to help youngsters understand the meaning of the season. The attractive watercolor cartoons and simple prose make this a perfect read-aloud for one-on-one sharing or a solid choice for newly independent readers.-M. W.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (September 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525467971
• ISBN-13: 978-0525467977
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 11.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #709,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award winning author and illustrator Michael Garland has been out on the New York Times Best Seller list four times.

Some recent Michael Garland books from are; Oh, What A Christmas! Scholastic, Miss Smith Under the Ocean, Dutton Publishers, and Grandpa's Tractor, Boyds Mills

Michael Garland's greatest success has been for writing and illustrating children's picture books. Garland's Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook recently won the California and Delaware State Reading Awards. He is currently working on his thirtieth book as author and illustrator.

Michael Garland has illustrated for celebrity authors like James Patterson and Gloria Estefan. His illustrations for Patterson's SantaKid were the inspiration for Sak's Fifth's Avenue's Christmas holiday window display in New York City. Garland's Christmas Magic has become a season classic and is currently being developed for a for a TV special.

His work has won many honors and is frequently included in the Society of Illustrators and the Original Art of Children's book show as well annuals from Print, Graphis and Communications Arts magazines. Recently, Michael Garland was included on the list of the top one hundred Irish Americans by Irish American Magazine.
Michael Garland is frequently asked to speak at schools, literary conferences and festivals across the country.

http://www.garlandpicturebooks.com

http://childrensbooksheal.com/2011/11/30/oh-what-a-christmas-by-michael-garland/

http://www.valcomnews.com/wp-content/PDFs/CalKids/CK1112.pdf

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=383&id=100000791525187&l=fb121ddf7a

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24741&id=100000791525187&l=59df58a9f5


Michael Garland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, January 1, 2002

By 

"butterfly4517" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas Magic (Hardcover)

I would have given this book 5 stars if the story line had been a little bit stronger and possibly involved the next-door neighbor more into the plot. However, the illustrations are wonderful. They say you can't judge a book by it's cover but I was drawn to this book by the artwork on the front cover and was just as pleased with the beautiful illustrations inside. That alone makes the book worth purchasing.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caitlyn, November 19, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Christmas Magic (Hardcover)

I am 8 years old and this is my favorite book. I love the illustrations and my favorite part is when the Christmas Tree dances and when Katrina turns into a real person! I have a dog Max also so I liked when the cat and dog sing. This is a fun book and I think everyone should have this book to read at Christmas time!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Christmas, May 17, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Christmas Magic (Hardcover)

Dancing on the lawn,singing cat's and dog's,mice making pies,snow men and women. You can find all of these in Christmas Magic by: Micheal Garland.
The main character is a little girl named Emily.This magical story takes place in a victorian house and her lawn. When she was building a snow woman, a new kid was moving in next door. When she was about to go to bed, she looked out the window and saw the new boy building a snow man.All of a sudden she hears a noise.What was it?Is something wrong?

You will find out when you read Christmas Magic.I recomended this book because if you like how many magical things happen in one day.