Christmas Magic

by Michael Garland

Emily knows there's Christmas magic in the air when she slips out of bed and is greeted her pets singing ""Jingle Bells;"" presents flying around a spinning Christmas tree, and mice baking Christmas pies. And out the window, the snow-people are dancing together. Includes Michael Garland's illustrations.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Magic, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Author and illustrator Michael Garland was born in Manhattan in 1952. He studied art at Pratt Institute and soon after graduating, he sold his first illustration to True Confessions magazine. He has written or illustrated over 40 books.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This familiar tale of snowmen-come-to-life/was-it-all-a-dream? was fine with me, but the art . . . ugh. Some sort of computer generated, collage-style renderings that just looked weird, and on two pages where the former snowpeople dance in front of Melania Trump's stark white branches - downright creepy.

[Misbah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl and her neighbor make a couple of snowman and they comes to life and dances with the little girl. She wakes up Christmas morning not sure if it was a dream or not.

Beautiful illustrations!

[Cindy Overcast · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated story presents a magical Christmas Eve where imaginative Emily's snow-woman finds a dance partner in the new neighbor boy's snowman, leaving Emily to wonder if it was all just a dream. Very cute!

[Cathy Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vintage, old-time illustrations are the best part of this story. I liked the wintery scenes of building snowmen and the beautiful Victorian houses decorated for Christmas. When the Christmas magic began to transform the neighborhood, many things came to life. Enchanting. Enjoy.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sweet Christmas story

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An imaginative story about snowmen coming to life

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The magic of Christmas is released after Emily builds a snow woman on Christmas Eve, and her new neighbor builds a snowman. What Emily experiences is brought full circle on Christmas Day.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute story & absolutely beautiful illustrations!

[Remaseon · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is definitely amazing

[Della Tingle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my absolute favorite Christmas book growing up and I’m so glad I get to read the exact same book my parents read to me to my baby boy.

[Elizabeth Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this many times at Christmas over the years. The illustrations are beautiful, almost magical. The story is fun and lively and reminds me a little of "The Nutcracker Ballet" by Vladimir Vagin (another one of my favorites).

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn't strike any chords with me. The art felt 'wrong,' but I can't say why. (Was it computer generated?) The story was 'flat' -- mice cooked, angel figures flew, a snowman came alive ... not enough depth to make a real story.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darling story with beautiful illustrations.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story about the magic of Christmas. It was neither religious nor overly secular and simply had a lovely story. My children and I loved it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise loved this book - thanks, Christine, I looked for it after seeing it on your list! The pictures are beautiful and the story sweet.

[DixieJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of "my" favorites - don't know about the kids.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book that I don't think is a "typical" Christmas story. My 4-year-old didn't really like it but my 8-year-old did.

[Laura Komos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical!

[Little Miss and the Legomeister · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl has a magical Christmas Eve. It involves snowmen and various other things that come to life. It's fun, but it's not really one of my favorites.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful and large-enough-for-a-group-to-see illustrations about one magical Christmas Eve in a Victorian era girl's life.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction; Juvenile/Christmas
4 stars

Adorable story with fun illustrations. Definitely one that I would purchase for our family collection.

[Adrianne Rosal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one!!!! Terrific story about true love.....

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations bring this story its magic! Love this one, read it every year.