The First Christmas Stocking [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Winthrop (Author), Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: K and up

"Dream your dreams, my child, and knit them into the wool."

A long time ago a girl named Claire learned to knit by her mother's side. As the mother knit mittens, scarves and all sorts of clothing for the wealthy people of the town, Claire set about knitting stockings to keep her toes warm. Claire, her mother and father, you see, were poor. They lived in a stone hut, with little wood to burn and meagre food to eat. So Claire knit stockings and--with Christmas approaching--heeded her mother's words to knit her Christmas dreams into the wool.

Soon Claire became known as the stocking girl--with many orders for stockings to fill. One such order ensured her a handsome payment. Enough to fill her family's hut with light and food. But as she trudged through the snow to deliver the stockings on Christmas Eve, Claire was stirred to share her knitted dreams with someone truly in need.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Set in a coal-mining town, "long, long ago," this is the story of Claire, who lives with her father, a miner, and her mother, who knits for the town's richer residents. Claire learns the craft, and when her mother dies, she carries on. Two days before Christmas, a wealthy woman orders three pairs of stockings. With little light for warmth or seeing, Claire is unsure she can finish, but she does--only to give five of the stockings to a raggedy boy, who, like Claire, understands what it is like never to be warm. Her furious customer refuses the sixth stocking, which Claire hangs up; the next morning it is filled with gifts, including candles that don't go out. This sentimental story is wrapped in a handsome package--a tall, slim format that provides plenty of space for the dreamy, full-page colored-pencil pictures. It's never clear why the successful knitting business doesn't generate enough income for better indoor light, but such details won't deter children caught up in this Christmas miracle. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Elizabeth Winthrop is the author of more than fifty books for children, including The Castle in the Attic, The Battle for the Castle, as well as the acclaimed novel Counting on Grace (Wendy Lamb Books). The author lives in New York City and Williamstown, MA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (October 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385328044
• ISBN-13: 978-0385328043
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 0.4 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #781,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ELIZABETH WINTHROP is the author of over fifty works of fiction for all ages.

Her most recent historical novel, COUNTING ON GRACE has been chosen as a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association, the National Council of Social Studies, the International Reading Association and the Children's Book Council among others. The novel has also been nominated for state book awards in Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri,Indiana, Hawaii and Arizona.

Elizabeth has published more than fifty books for readers of all ages. THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC, nominated for twenty-three state book awards is currently under option to Walden Media.

Her popular picture books include DUMPY LA RUE, SHOES,DOG SHOW, SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE and most recently, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING and THE BIGGEST PARADE. Two of her recent books for older children are THE RED-HOT RATTOONS, a comic fantasy novel and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, Letters from a Milltown Girl, a work of historical fiction set in western Massachusetts.

Elizabeth is also the author of two novels for adults, IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE and ISLAND JUSTICE. She is currently at work on a memoir.

The daughter of the journalist, Stewart Alsop,she divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Christmas Stocking- great new Christmas book., January 9, 2007

By 

A. Bowthorpe "alyson's attic" (utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The First Christmas Stocking (Hardcover)

I am always looking for good books with lessons or messages- this is one of those books. The idea of giving is always a good idea. It has many words on the page making it more enjoyable as a read aloud or for older children. It is definitely one of our "read at Christmas time" each year books! Hope you'll give it a try.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A poignant holiday story benefits from Bagram Ibatouline's warm and lovely drawings., December 9, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Christmas Stocking (Hardcover)

A long time ago a poor girl named Claire learns to knit by her mother's side - and knits her Christmas dreams into the wool. An order for six stockings could save her holiday; but on the way she meets a boy even poorer than herself: how can she share her dreams of warmth? A poignant holiday story benefits from Bagram Ibatouline's warm and lovely drawings.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Book, December 4, 2006

By 

Foodie from Forest Hills "pvbm" (Forest Hills, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Christmas Stocking (Hardcover)

I bought multiple copies of this book for neices, nephews, godchildren and young cousins. It's a great antidote to the overly commerecialized Christmas season. The writing is elegant but straightforward, and the illustrations glow. Although it has a strong spiritual message, it is not overtly regligous, so is suitable for all children who celebrate Christmas.