Customer Reviews

Cobweb Christmas: The Tradition of Tinsel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a revised edition of a book previously published in 1982. I personally prefer the earlier version as this version leaves out some beautiful descriptions that add to the story. In addition, Christkindel is changed to Kris Kringle. I own both versions, but read the earlier version to my fourth grade classes every year at Christmas. I'm hoping they will revise it back to the original so I can buy it in hardcopy as my paperback version is starting to show much wear and tear after 17 years.

Not a bad story if you haven't read the original version though.

I think a younger kid (4-8) would like to read this book. This book takes place at Christmas time in Germany. It is about an old lady named Tante (Auntie). Every year she decorates a Christmas tree for animals and they come enjoy the surprises she has for them. Tante doesn't like spiders so every year she wipes them away. The spiders want to see the tree, but they never get to. Read this book to see what happens to those little spiders this year.

My kindergartner and I have read many Christmas-themed books this holiday season and this is one of our favorites. It is a retelling of a German folktale that centers around the myth of the use of tinsel in decorating Christmas trees. Readers are introduced to 'tante' or 'auntie' (in German) who loves to decorate her Christmas tree and makes sure that each and every visitor, be it human or animal, gets something from their visit to see her tree.

One Christmas eve, Kris Kringle (Santa Claus) is making his rounds when he spies the spiders outside Tante's house. You see, when Tante cleans the cobwebs from her house and tree, the poor spiders get pushed out too, and are not able to share in the delights of the Christmas tree. Kris Kringle lets them back into the house, and leaves Tante a magical Christmas surprise!

This is a wonderful and inspired retelling of the German folktale, which according to the author Shirley Climo, dates back more than two hundred years. It is also a story that has versions in many other countries, e.g. Poland, Russia, Romania, etc. There is an author's note at the back of the book explaining this story in greater detail. The colorful illustrations by Jane Manning make this an engaging and delightful Christmas read, perfect for sharing and reading aloud this holiday season!

This book is one of my favorite holiday stories! I am a first grade teacher and have shared this story with my students for the past several years and will continue to share it for years to come. You will not be disappointed with your purchase!

My five books arrived neatly packaged and in a timely manner and it is such a cute story to share with young children and create your own Christmas tradition.