Christmas for 10

by Cathryn Falwell

The cheerful, busy family that prepared the delectable meal in "Feast for 10" now gets ready for Christmas. A simple counting format frames all the festivities, from one star at the top of the Christmas tree to ten hands stringing popcorn, then counting once again from one wreath to ten folks wishing peace for all. There's a special job for everyone: Grandmother reads a story, Mom bakes and her children taste, Dad and Sister wrap baskets for the needy, and everyone, even the littlest, joins together to sing carols. Inviting, cleverly patterned cut-paper illustrations complement simple rhymes as this special family make the preparations part of their Christmas celebration.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Counting, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 19, 1998

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Falwell’s Feast for Ten, I knew I would like Christmas for Ten which is the same format as the previous.y mentioned title. First we have illustrated activities of making preparations for Christmas my favorite one being five family members shown stringing popcorn with their ten hands. Then counting to ten again with more activities and being joined by more family members. Once again it is the illustration for ten that captures my attention showing three generations of family members wishing peace for all.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My toddler loved talking about what all the mommies and daddies and grandmas and grandpas and kids were doing throughout the book. The number format is great for toddlers and preschoolers and I love all the traditions that are featured.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed Feast for Ten, so this was a fun Christmasy book. Great counting practice, diverse characters, and just such a sweet, wholesome story of a family working together to prepare for Christmas

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A counting book about a family getting ready for Christmas.

[Elizabeth]

I really like that not only are all the characters in this book Black, but so also are one of the angels, one of the Magi, the people on the covers of the books they read...

That people in the book have different skin tones is also appreciated.

I didn't find myself all that engaged by the actual text, though -- it felt so simplistic & didn't feel like it had a strong narrative arc, was just a collection of things one may do to prepare for Christmas, often randomly given numbers to fit it in.

[Christie Purifoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My four-year-old daughter's favorite Christmas book this year. Sadly out of print, I'll be looking for a used copy to add to our collection. This is a simple Christmas counting book, but the cut-paper illustrations are wonderful and bright, the central characters are black (which is hard to find in Christmas picture books), and the traditions depicted hit just the right balance between familiar and inspiring. My daughter longed to string popcorn after reading this.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family busily prepares for Christmas. A great counting book, with minimal allusions to the religious side of Christmas (2 angels and 3 wise kings being the extent of it). Suitable text for a younger audience. All in all, a great Christmas book with extra points for featuring a non-white family.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Count with an African-American family as they prepare their home for Christmas.

[Laura Cheek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, charming and perfect for preschoolers. Babies and toddlers will also enjoy this counting book of holiday fun.

[Kate McCartney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful counting book. I really liked that it promotes family and family traditions for Christmas.