From Publishers Weekly This cheerful collection of Christmas melodies， poems and stories eschews the Victoriana frequently associated with the season in favor of American customs and traditions. From Laura Ingalls Wilder's chapter on her first Christmas tree to Langston Hughes's "Carol of the Brown King，" Goode's focus is on "the distinct expression" Americans have given to the holiday， and her festive illustrations span various historical periods. In addition to traditional favorites ("Jingle Bells" and Clement Moore's famous poem)， there are many happy surprises， such as "Brer Rabbit's Christmas" and a folktale from upstate New York about the origins of "A Baker's Dozen." The book's design is uncluttered and spacious， and Goode ( The Diane Goode Book of American Folk Tales and Songs ) differentiates the entries by wrapping each one--her special "gifts"--in a unique ribbon-like border. All ages. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information， Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal A collection of 23 American poems， songs， and stories that reflects both a traditional and contemporary Christmas. "Brer Rabbit's Christmas，" "Yes， Virginia，" "I'll Be Home for Christmas，" and "The Peterkins' Christmas Tree" keep company with Langston Hughes' "Carol of the Brown King，" and Wilder's "Christmas on the Banks of Plum Creek." Goode's variously bordered pages set paint and colored-pencil illustrations in white space and give the text ample room to breathe. The Family Read-Aloud Christmas Treasury (Joy Street， 1989) by Alice Low and Marc Brown has more than twice the selections and a livelier palette， but Goode has included new material with only six selections appearing in both collections. Low and Brown provide a better bargain; Goode's offering can serve as an extra in large collections.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information， Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. See all Editorial Reviews