About the Holiday
There’s nothing better to get kids in the spirit of Christmas than sharing holiday stories both old and new. Packed with all the excitement and anticipation of the season, Christmas books offer humor, tradition, inspiration, and new perspectives on this favorite holiday. Stuff your stockings with pre-Christmas reads, and don’t forget that books make the perfect present for all ages!
Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sharing a copy of We Wish You a Merry Christmas with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
By Julianna Swaney
Julianna Swaney gives the familiar Christmas carol We Wish You a Merry Christmas a delightful update that’s both warm and heart-swelling as a family of four and their two pooches partake in all of the traditions that make the holiday such a shining star of each year. It’s gently snowing as the family puts on their coats and leaves their townhouse for a trip to the Christmas tree lot, where they happily find “…the perfect pine tree, / With green boughs and sturdy branches. / It’s just right for fitting presents—/ Let’s take it home now!”
Copyright Julianna Swaney, 2024. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
At home Dad struggles with the tangled lights, the youngest child hangs ornaments, and Mom and the older girl string popcorn. Even the dogs get in on the fun, lapping at the popcorn bowl and overseeing the proceedings. Of course, Christmas tree decorating day isn’t complete without steaming mugs of hot chocolate to enjoy while adding the final touches and admiring the twinkling tree.
All of the festivities aren’t at home, though, and the family heads outside for a special trip. “We visit the Christmas market / and whisper a wish to Santa… / It’s starting to feel like Christmas out here in the town!” And, indeed, the shops glimmer with golden light, glittery stars, and evergreen wreaths and garlands sparkling with tiny white lights. Families and friends dash here and there laden with packages to donate and to take home. There’s even a frozen pond for skating and a nearby bakery stand for sweet treats.
Copyright Julianna Swaney, 2024. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
As Christmas grows nearer, there are cookies to bake, decorate, and share as well as caroling for the neighbors. At last it’s Christmas Eve, which brings a festive celebration and dinner with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and all “the ones we hold dear.” Night falls, but that doesn’t mean the kids can sleep. It’s just too exciting reconnecting with cousins amid the anticipation of Santa’s arrival.
In the morning the cousins come downstairs to find a fire crackling in the fireplace, the milk and cookies eaten, and presents under the tree. But even in their glee, the children don’t forget you and offer “Good tidings to you, wherever you are. / We wish you a merry Christmas… / and a happy new year!”
Copyright Julianna Swaney, 2024. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
Julianna Swaney’s charming rhyming lines scan easily with the rhythm of the song We Wish You A Merry Christmas, inviting readers to either read or sing this joyful story. Her lovely action-packed and softly colored full-spread illustrations combine vintage touches with the timeless feelings of togetherness and good cheer the season brings. Swaney’s love for the holiday even—and maybe especially—in the common mishaps that later become fond and funny memories: tangled cords of Christmas tree lights, accidentally broken ornaments, messy cookie baking, and pets that just can’t help but get in on the fun.
Sure to become a Christmas classic that families will look forward to sharing throughout the season each year, We Wish You A Merry Christmas is a must addition to home, school, and public libraries.
Ages 3 months – 5
Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1547614912
About the Author/Illustrator
Julianna Swaney grew up in Michigan, where she has many nice memories of magical, snowy Christmases. She has illustrated numerous books for children, including We Are the Gardeners, The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be, She Caught the Light, I Will Always Be Your Bunny, and many others. Julianna now lives in Oregon where she spends her time painting, gardening, and daydreaming. Her favorite Christmas carol is “The Holly and the Ivy.”
Get Ready for Christmas Activity
Gingerbread Kids Decorations
No time to mix up and bake a batch of gingerbread? No worries! With this cute and easy craft, kids can make gingerbread kids to decorate your Christmas tree, windows, presents, and even to give as gifts! If you’d like to learn about the history of gingerbread and its many uses, you’ll find a fascinating article by Kathleen Lange on her website Kathleen Lange’s Confectionary Chalet.
Supplies
- Printable Gingerbread Girl and Boy Template
- 2 Brown foam sheets
- White paint (or any color you like)
- Glitter in two colors
- Paint brush
- 2 Small heart buttons (optional)
- Mounting squares (for mounting)
- Thread and needle (for optional hanging)
Directions
- Cut out gingerbread girl and boy
- Trace gingerbread girl and boy on brown foam sheets
- Cut out gingerbread girl and boy
- Paint around the edge of the gingerbread boy and girl with the white paint
- Add trim to the edge of the gingerbread girl’s dress
- Add socks to the gingerbread boy
- Add buttons
- Add faces
- Paint the hands of each figure with the paint
- Sprinkle glitter on the hands to make mittens
- To use as decoration attach mountable squares or with a threaded needle make a hole in the top of the figures and tie the thread to create a hanger.
You can purchase We Wish You a Merry Christmas at these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)
Picture Book Review
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