Was That Christmas?

by Hilary McKay, Amanda Harvey (Illustrator)

Was That Christmas?

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Hilary McKay was born in Boston, Lincolnshire and is the eldest of four girls. From a very early age she read voraciously and grew up in a household of readers. Hilary says of herself as a child "I anaesthetised myself against the big bad world with large doses of literature. The local library was as familiar to me as my own home."

After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew's University Hilary then went on to work as a biochemist in an Analysis Department. Hilary enjoyed the work but at the same time had a burning desire to write. After the birth of her two children, Hilary wanted to devote more time to bringing up her children and writing so decided to leave her job.

One of the best things about being a writer, says Hilary, is receiving letters from children. She wishes that she had written to authors as a child, but it never occurred to her to contact them

Hilary now lives in a small village in Derbyshire with her family. When not writing Hilary loves walking, reading, and having friends to stay.

Reviews

[Alex Baugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bella is finally old enough to go to preschool, where she learns all about Christmas. There’s a story, a play, and even a visit from Santa. But something’s wrong. Santa didn’t come in a sleigh, and he forgot a present for Black Jack, her pet cat. Was that Christmas, she wants to know, clearly disappointed. No, mom tells Bella, it’s just the beginning. Then, Mom, Dad and Gran each tell Bella different things that need to be done in order to have the jolliest of Christmas celebrations. With charming spot pencil and watercolor illustrations, this is a book for the younger set who are just beginning to understand the whole idea of Christmas, but may still be confused and overwhelmed. Not all families will do all the same things, but that’s OK, personal traditions can easily be inserted.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had so much hope for this book even though I saw that it had few stars on Goodreads. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and simple. My kids really liked looking at all the pictures. The words are easy to read but there was really a storyline in the book. It felt like more like list to do rather then a story. My kids enjoyed it somewhat out of them I received two thumbs up from two kids. I do not recommend checking this book out.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great christmas book for young children. Secular, not sentimental, fun.

[Johna Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story for small children about all the wonderful things that make Christmas so special. Before Bella started preschool, she did not know about Christmas. Her teacher introduced Christmas by reading a story about the holiday. The story read in class talks about how Santa’s reindeer will pull him over the snow to deliver the presents inside of his sack. “Santa” came to Bella’s school and all of the students loved him. Bella was upset because he was not like the Santa in the story. Santa had no sleigh, no snow, no reindeer, and, worst of all, no present for Black Jack; Bella’s cat in his huge brown sack. "Was that Christmas?" Bella was confused so her family has to show her all the things that still have to be done before it is really Christmas such as baking pies, buying presents, and decorating the Christmas tree.As a teacher, I could use this book for the same purpose. I would read this story to my students as we get closer to the month of December. I could use this story to show the different cultures and holidays that my students share.

[Zinnia · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I first started reading it I thought it was going to be about sharing and caring. Plus my toddler got distracted midway and the book held no interest afterwards.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

No, your definition of "Christmas" is inaccurate and a bit too singular. There are many reasons and presents aren't what you should concentrate on. I would NEVER read this book to a little kid.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super adorable.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet picture book about Christmas British style.