Joy to the World
When Charles Dickens wrote the book, A Christmas Carol, it was a book about bringing joy to the world. It was written in the midst of a tumultuous industrial revolution, a time of expanding empire, and wide spread poverty. In the midst of British societal indifference to human suffering, it helped change the English attitude and ultimately, that of much of the Western World. The conservative British oligarchy was influenced by Tiny Tim and the three Ghosts of Christmas. And ordinary people took the message of charity to heart. The Christmas season has continued to evolve. In our era, it has become a time of celebration, charity and gift giving. And, a profitable marketplace.
Christmas Book Nostalgia
MR. Dog's Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn
The wonderful book, Mr Dog's Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn brings the timeless charm of an earlier era to us. The author, Albert Bigelow Paine (1861-1937), was a friend and biographer of Mark Twain, as well as the author of novels, biographies, and many children's books. These included stories of The Hollow Tree Inn, and all the animal inhabitants of The Inn and the Big Deep Woods. The wonderful illustrations by Adam McCauly in this reclaimed version add to the original story.
Paine created and told a multitude of stories to his own children. Over time, he wrote, among other children's books, three very popular books about the animal characters of The Hollow Tree Inn and the Big Deep Woods. These included: Mr. Coon, Mr. Possum, Mr. Crow, Jack Rabbit, Mr. Dog, and many others. They are all imaginative, charming, and well written.
Mr. Dog knew things that others did not know because he lived in the house of Mr. Man. He shared stories of things he had heard, or adventures he had, with his forest friends. Until Mr. Dog told them about Santa, his animal friends had never heard of him. The story unfolds when Mr Coon, Possum, and Crow put out big Christmas stockings, not knowing that Santa only visited children.
Mr Dog's Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn is a rescued treasure of Betsy Cordes. Originally published in 1898, it was a favorite in her family and read aloud at Christmas for three generations.
Here is a link to this delightful new edition of Mr. Dog's Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn.
Here is a link to many books by Albert Bigelow Paine on Project Gutenberg.
The cover and the illustrations are by Adam McCauly. Book design by Cynthia Wigginton.
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Twas the Night Before Christmas
"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. "
Clement Clarke Moore (1823)
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Christmas Memories in the Great Meadow of Kenneth Grahame
The Wind in the Willows is a celebration of life, a holiday from the everyday world. The world of the Great Meadow, and beyond, has a comfortable beauty that offers the young and the young at heart a respite, a good place to be. This is especially true when the Christmas holidays are celebrated. . .
"I think it must be the field-mice," replied the Mole, with a touch of pride in his manner. "They go round carol-singing regularly at this time of the year. They're quite an institution in these parts. And they never pass me over—they come to Mole End last of all; and I used to give them hot drinks, and supper too sometimes, when I could afford it. It will be like old times to hear them again."
"Let's have a look at them!" cried the Rat, jumping up and running to the door.
It was a pretty sight, and a seasonable one, that met their eyes when they flung the door open. In the fore-court, lit by the dim rays of a horn lantern, some eight or ten little field-mice stood in a semicircle, red worsted comforters round their throats, their fore-paws thrust deep into their pockets, their feet jigging for warmth . . . As the door opened, one of the elder ones that carried the lantern was just saying, "Now then, one, two, three!" and forthwith their shrill little voices uprose on the air, singing one of the old-time carols . . . "
Here is a link to read The Wind In The Willows
Here is a link to Inga Moore illustrations.
The illustration is by Inga Moore.
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Father Christmas and Inga Moore
It was In an excellent article in the Guardian by Joanna Carey about the wonderful illustrator, Inga Moore, that I first read about Father Christmas(1973) by Raymond Briggs, another celebrated book from an earlier era. Brigg's book was a turning point in Moore's life. Moore told Joanna Carey about her reaction to Father Christmas: " 'It was uplifting, life-enhancing, and I realized that making a picture book was one of the finest things one could aspire to.' She got started as an illustrator and in the early 80s, inspired by childhood memories, returned to England."
I then learned that Raymond Briggs was an award-winning and very popular author/illustrator of children's books, and very well known in England. Among other books, he wrote and illustrated The Snowman, Father Christmas, and Father Christmas Goes on Holiday. Each of these books became popular videos. The two Father Christmas books were combined into one story in their video versions. These are timeless books for young children.
Here is a link to a delightful 25 minute video version of the book for kids: Father Christmas.
Here is a link to the very different and charming 25 minute version of the Brigg's book: The Snowman.
The illustration above is by Raymond Briggs.
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Randolph the Reindeer -- A New Book
The story opens with Randolph's excitement at being in a competition to be selected as part of the team that will pull Santa's sleigh. That very night is Christmas Eve. However, Randolph, although extremely fast, is out of control and he is, inadvertently, a sleigh crasher. He means well, but he is immature, and seems unable to change.
Randolph ultimately redeems himself when he courageously flies Jeremy the Elf, through a terrible blizzard, to the home of a boy named Jamie. He promised to find a way to repair a camera that was broken through Randolph's out of control sleigh pulling. The camera meant a lot to Jamie, as it was a gift from his mother. Jeremy, being a member of Santa's workshop is able to repair the camera and Randolph has saved the Christmas day. This is a fun Christmas adventure book for young kids by Sean Patrick O'Reilly and with lots of colorful Disney-like illustrations by David Alvarez.
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Interview With Santa
Lost in the mists of time is a true Christmas story. . . Long ago, the unthinkable happened and there was to be no more Christmas. Click this link for more: Interview with Santa
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Ode to Joy -- Flashmob in Sabadell
Every year, when preparing this December edition of our blog, I treat myself to watching and listening to several Ode To Joy concerts. Watching ordinary people and children as the music grows before them, combined with the extraordinary music, is a very special experience.
Here is link for you to share in this wonderful Ode to Joy video from Sabadell, Spain. The photo was taken early on as the musicians continued to arrive.
Enjoy.
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Tree Beings -- A Book for All Seasons
This is a wonderful book for children with fascinating content and extraordinary illustrations. It incorporates free association of facts and imagination with solid information regarding the wonder and importance of trees. Written with passion by New Zealand educator and talented author, Raymond Huber, and with superb illustrations by an Australian, Sandra Severgnini, Tree Beings succeeds in being entertaining, educational, and fearlessly wide ranging. The 2 page forward is an appreciation and strong endorsement by Jane Goodall.
This book could become a classic.
The cover and illustrations are by Sandra Severgnini.
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Truth Exaggerated
The fairy tale survives because it presents experience in vivid symbolic forms; Sometimes we need to have the truth exaggerated and made more dramatic, even fantastic, in order to comprehend it. . .
Alison Laurie, Boys and Girls Forever
The illustration from Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale, is by Stella Mustanoja McCarty
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Movies and Animation
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Jingle Jangle
An imaginative, joyous, black musical update of Dicken's Christmas Carol.
Here is the exciting trailer: Jingle Jangle. The film is playing now on Netflix, directed and created by David E. Talbert. Here is a review excerpt from the NYTimes Critics:
The magic of “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” a fun seasonal Netflix offering, hinges on belief — in reinvention, imagination and the ability of even the most familiar stories to offer fresh lessons. . . The movie is packed with thrilling sequences, charming songs (by Philip Lawrence, John Legend and others), flashy dance numbers and a delightful cast. Although parts of the film veer on cliché, its intentions are well-meaning and its messages about nurturing curiosity and fostering community are well worth hearing right about now.
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Come Away-- Alas, this Peter Pan "revision" has stumbled. Here is the Critics Consensus from Rotten Tomatoes: "Largely lacking the fairytale magic it seeks to conjure, Come Away is an initially intriguing fantasy that never really takes flight."
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Exceptional Independent Animation
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A Normal Day In the Life of Sassi
An imaginative and charming visit to the future.
Sassi lives and works in a magical future world.
Friendly fantasy.
Perfect for kids and the young at heart.
Made by Choi Keeweso; DayDream Sound
Here is the link: Sassi time 6.42
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Fear of the Deer
A deer who is not like the others.
Darkness in Santa Land.
Awesome. Not for kids.
Happy Holidays from animator Steve Cutts.
Intro music by Admiral Bob.
Link: Fear of the Deer time 1.45
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My Favorite War
Poignant, Meaningful, Imaginative trailer for the full length version.
“My Favorite War teaches the global value of freedom and demonstrates how a very personal story can be of universal interest". A quote from the Annecy Festival where the film won the award for best feature. This is a personal, animated documentary that tells the story of the director growing up in Latvia, part of the Soviet Union, from 1970 to 1990."
Here is a link regarding the film from the program of the Norwegian Film Festival
Created by Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen, Ego Studios,Latvia
Here is the link: My Favorite War 2 minutes
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You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss
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Little Mole and Honeybear
Jack Zipes new publishing company, Little Mole and Honeybear is publishing exceptional children's books that have been lost because of time, fashion, or the vicissitudes of the publishing business. The range is extensive since Zipes is able to translate books which may have originally appeared in non-English speaking countries. The results are a cascade of fascinating, eye-opening children's books. I have previously written about some of them: Laboulaye's myriad tales; Fearless Ivan and His Faithful Horse, Double Hump; The Giant Ohl and Tiny Tim; and Keedle the Great. Next month, I will write about Emery Kelen and Yussuf the anti-fascist ostrich. From the Little Mole and Honeybear website:
We are cultural excavators. Some of our biggest political and moral challenges have been addressed by voices long lost to history. We will unbury neglected authors and books from the twentieth century, before we are buried.
Mission: Founded in January 2018 by Jack Zipes, Little Mole & Honey Bear publishes unusual books for children and adults largely published during, before, and after World War I and World War II. They celebrate the poetic power of fantasy and illustrate how writers and illustrators have used their art to generate hope in their readers. Though conceived, created, and published in the twentieth century, all these works are still highly relevant today.
The illustration from Yussuf the Ostrich is by the author, Emery Kelen.
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Free Books for Mothers of Infants That Open the Doors to More Books
Mommy Talk and Talk to Me are two delightful complimentary books available to new mothers, in Spanish and English. They are a tangible stimulus for parents and other caregivers who are readng with and talking to very young children ages 0 to 4.
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Children's Books Ireland for the Poor
All over Ireland there are children who do not own a book. This December, Children’s Books Ireland is gifting a bedtime story to Irish children as they face into a difficult Christmas. With the support of the Arts Council and KPMG, 6,000 Irish books will be given to children and young people in direct-provision centres, hospitals and homeless services nationwide through charity partners. . .All 6,000 books are by Irish artists, many of them Irish-published.
Link to this article: The Irish Times
The photo is courtesy of Baenados, an Irish Charity
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Hanukkah -- December 22-30
Hanukkah is the Jewish Holiday that takes place over 8 days in December. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Holiday celebrates Jewish strengths, perseverance, and continuity. It has origins dating to 165BCE when Judea was freed from oppression and conquest of the Seleucid king. Hanukkah is a celebration of freedom and being.
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Kwanzaa
"Unlike Christmas and Hanukkah, Kwanzaa was not born out of religion. Instead it is a largely social and communal holiday that grew out of the civil rights movement. Established by professor and activist Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa was meant as a way to bring the African-American community together once a year for a celebration of its culture and heritage. Over the years, the exclusive nature of Kwanzaa was stripped away by Karenga, and it is now looked at as a chance for people of all races and backgrounds to celebrate African culture the same way we celebrate Irish and Mexican culture on St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo."
Here is a link to read more about Kwanzaa
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Winter Memories from Born Without a Tail
Born Without a Tail is a real life memoir by C. A.Wulff, author of dog books, blogger, and life-long rescuer of animals -- especially dogs. Here is an excerpt that I find particularly telling in the Christmas season.
"Whenever I think back over the years...my thoughts return to the time when Gypsy, Dillon, Pluto and Troll were the cornerstones of our pack. These four dogs completed us...my favorite part of each day was when we would all settle down together to sleep...In winter months, the wind would howl outside and I would feel warm and safe, denned with my pack. These were times of total contentment. Times when a deep abiding sense of belonging warmed me to my soul."
The photo of Troll is by C.A.Wulff.
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A Holiday Smile for Dog Lovers
Here is a link to a festive holiday occasion where you will see 13 well dressed dogs and one cat at a dinner table eating with human hands.
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Celebrate
Thanks to Richard Bradley for the photo. Every year at this time we post a photo from Richard's Blog, A Rock in My Shoe. The dogs, Darcy and Caboose, have passed on but their holiday spirit remains.
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Happy Holidays to all...
And a special greeting to the therapy dog owners and therapy and service dog organizations who make this world a better place.
I am awed by and grateful to the dog lovers and their therapy dogs who help so many people, of all ages, in so many ways. Dogs have a unique quality that helps people heal, release fear, and find joy. When you think about the blessings that dogs bring to people's lives, especially therapy and service dogs, it boggles the mind.
A Memory of Rose, a Therapy Dog . . . Below is an excerpt from my correspondence with Susan Purser, a retired school teacher, about working with her therapy dog, Rose, for over 15 years -- until Rose passed on.
Susan carries on her therapy dog work as her puppy, Tazi, who also loves to be with people, continues to grow.
"No matter who you are or why you do pet therapy, it is the dog that opens the door…doors that would otherwise be closed to a well meaning human. . . doors that are sometimes closed to family, friends, care givers and staff of facilities. There is something very special about these canine creatures and they have been saving and comforting humans for thousands of years. It is their touch or look that gives people that inner peace when their world is shrinking or spinning so fast they have lost control. When doors begin the final closing, there is that one last smile, nod, a hand that reaches for a dog that allows some of them to say good bye and close their eyes in peace.”
The photo of Rose visiting a friend was taken by Susan Purser.
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Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale
"The Barking Planet series of illustrated kids' books full of mythic fairy tale dog heroes is unabashedly humane, uplifting, and morally improving, which may not be everybody's cup of tea (or bowl of kibble), but it does make for interesting relief in a kid lit world increasingly obsessed with violence, family dysfunction and personal trauma." Barbara Julien for Animal Literature.
"Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale. . .the exciting story of the dogs from Planet Of The Dogs who come to earth to help save Christmas...this book brought me back to my youth, a time when it seemed my imagination was endless, something that gets lost in adulthood. The holidays are just around the corner and this book would make a great stocking stuffer." From the review by Horst Hoefinger on Dogster
To Read Sample Chapters of Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale, Click here: Christmas Books
The illustration from Snow Valley Heroes is by Stella Mustanoja McCarty.
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“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” – Gilda Radner
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