Customer Reviews

The Christmas Rose

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

 

 

Bauer, Sepp. The Christmas Rose. Illustrated by Else Wenz-Vietor.

Charlesbridge. 2008.

This is a translation of a book published in Germany in 2006 that was a

reissue of a book originally published around 1920. The story follows

two children who travel to the palace of the Winter King to get a

special white rose whose scent will reportedly cure their ill father;

their journey ends in success when they travel with the Christ Child and

Saint Nicholas back to earth and bring their father the rose. This

edition uses a double spread to present each day beginning with Saint

Nicholas Day on December 6. Copies of the original tranquil subdued

illustrations festoon beautifully the text for each day: two children

seeking help from various animals including an attractively rendered

squirrel and hare and riding a deer during their long journey.

An informational note explains the source for this lovely book.

My son received this story at age four and has since enjoyed it every year around Christmastime. There is a page for each day of December from the 6th to 25th, I believe, so one could read a page per day, but we prefer reading striaght through in one go.

I gave this book to my two grandaughters ages 6 1/2 and 8 1/2 as a pre- Christmas gift. They spent a week with us so there were lots of exiciting moments. Mommy sat down with them Christmas Eve before bed and read the whole story all at once for the first time. Although they were excited about Santa, his reindeer and elves, they sat close to listen intently - it helped that Mommy is a very good reader adding sound effects and different voices and accents for the various characters - I wish I had it recorded! It will be a treasured book read every Christmas and passed on to younger grandchildren for their enjoyment. The story and illustrations are marvelous.

I bought this book as a gift for a 6 year old. I have enjoyed it but it was way too slow for the child. Not enough action on each day's page.