Lucy's Christmas [Paperback]

Donald Hall (Author), Michael McCurdy (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1998 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

This is a story of how Christmas was celebrated a long time ago - in an era when the arrival of a new stove from the Sears Catalog was an extraordinary event, when gifts were mostly handmade from homely materials, and when the sky on Christmas night was filled with a million stars.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hall (Ox-Cart Man) and McCurdy (An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving) serve up a New England Christmas at the turn of the century-complete with hand-crafted presents, horse-drawn sleighs and a rousing community church service. Young Lucy takes great care preparing thoughtful gifts for her family, but even more anticipation surrounds the new Glenwood Kitchen Range that Lucy's parent's have ordered from the Sears Roebuck catalogue. Hall's generously descriptive text is infused with nostalgia and warmth (an author's note explains his personal connection to the characters). McCurdy's colored scratchboard drawings brim with rustic detail and are particularly fluid and expressive for artwork in this medium. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. Set in 1909, this story follows a New England family through one late summer, autumn, and Christmas. While the events aren't dramatic, children may find the series of incidents and the details of daily life intriguing: the arrival of a new stove, the making of handmade gifts, and the community celebration of Christmas. Inspired by stories about the author's family home and relatives, the text reads like a smoothly written reminiscence--warmly felt, but lacking narrative tension. The tinted scratchboard illustrations have a distinctive, old-fashioned air that reflects the tone of the narrative. Recommended for larger collections, particularly those in New England. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015201943X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152019433
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,399,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids love this book year-round, July 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Lucy's Christmas (Paperback)

Starting with the beginning of school in the fall, this wonderful book based on the life of the author's grandmother, take us through a rural family preparing for the celebration of Christmas in simple ways - making presents from scraps of fabric and sheep's wool saved through the year; rehearsal for the Christmas play with homemade costumes, and a surprise gift for the daughter who is so enthralled with the new cast iron stove in the kitchen. My girls (3 and 5) ask to have this read year-round. In an age of such materialism, this is a welcome story of a simpler life. The woodcut prints are just the right accompaniment to this story.

5.0 out of 5 stars LUCY'S CHRISTMAS, February 15, 2012

By 

MHOPEB - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lucy's Christmas (Paperback)

GREAT STORY. REAL LESSON ABOUT THE PAST AND WHAT CHRISTMAS WAS LIKE LIVING IN THE "COUNTRY". I THINK ANY AGE WILL ENJOY THIS BOOK.