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“Jingle Bells: How the Holiday Classic Came to Be” written by John Harris and illustrated by Adam Gustavson (Peachtree Publishers, all ages, $16.95) is a fictional account of how a favorite Christmas song was written.
James Lord Pierpont, music director of the Unitarian Church in Savannah, Ga., was struggling to write his church’s annual Christmas song. One hot fall day he realized that his 10-year-old daughter had never seen snow. The memory of sleigh bells ringing during his boyhood days in Massachusetts began to form a simple melody in his head.
John Harris expands the little that is known about how “Jingle Bells” was composed with an interesting backstory of the Unitarian Church’s stand against slavery. Oil paintings by Adam Gustavson capture the essence of life in the 1850s.
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“Strega Nona’s Gift” written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola (Penguin Group, all ages, $17.99) is not only about Christmas.
Strega Nona is busy cooking for the winter holidays: special foods for children on Dec. 6 through Christmas Day when everyone enjoys a feast. When Epiphany rolls around on Jan. 6, Big Anthony wants to help. On the night before, special treats are made for the animals of the village. After all, it is said that they can talk this one night a year.
Tomie dePaola fans will love his latest book featuring two of his most endearing characters. As always, his writing is superb and his illustrations are hilarious.
As he delivers the food, Big Anthony decides to take a tiny taste of the goat’s stuffed turnips. They are so good that before he knows it, he has eaten them all! Not to worry. Strega Nona surprises the village with a magical gift, and everything is well for the next year.
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Another favorite writer-artist is Jan Brett, whose newest book is “Home for Christmas” (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, all ages, $17.99).
Rollo is a wild boy troll. He will not help his family; he will not do his chores; he will only do what he wants. A troll’s tail will drop off eventually, but only when he does something kind. Rollo’s tail is firmly attached.
Jan Brett presents an original Christmas story with her signature lavish illustrations.
Rollo runs away and spends time with several different animal families. With each group, his wildness gets him kicked out and in search of a new family. Finally in his loneliness, the smell of a wood fire brings back happy memories of his real home. A kind thought forms, and Rollo returns home just in time for Christmas – and the cat gets a new toy!
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The account of the Nativity is told by a new author nearly every year. This Christmas, “Song of the Stars” by Sally Lloyd-Jones with paintings by Alison Jay (Zonderkidz, all ages, $15.99) does it especially well.
A new song is whispered by the wind. The animals hear it most clearly and announce: “It’s time! It’s time!” As the song is shouted to the seas and flows through the rivers of the world, the message becomes more clear: “Get ready! Get ready! Be glad! Be glad!”
Sally Lloyd-Jones tells the Christmas story from a fresh perspective and with an exciting narrative full of anticipation. Alison Jay’s paintings balance the modern timelessness of the story with a masterpiece feel.
Steve Johnson, a former teacher, librarian and professional storyteller, is director of United Methodist Campus Ministry in Hays.
