AN EARLY AMERICAN CHRISTMAS

A German family brings Christmas to an early 19th-century New England village. In a time When Christmas was not widely celebrated in the US, a "Christmas Family" arrives as immigrants. As the holiday approaches, they joyously prepare—dipping bayberry candles, making decorations for the tree, and baking Christmas cookies. When all is complete, the final tradition is observed—lighted candles are placed in each window to welcome the coming of the Christ Child, and the family gathers to sing carols and hear the Bible story of the birth of Jesus. DePaola shows us each traditional preparation in gleeful detail, from gold-painted walnuts and papercut decorations for the tree to Christmas cookies in the shapes of tulips, lovebirds, and "hearts in hand." His brightly colored, folk-art style nicely complements his story of one family's way of celebrating Christmas. Avoiding holiday sentimentality without sacrificing joy in the season, this is a nice addition to holiday book collections.