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Finding Christmas
A group of animal friends discovers the true meaning of Christmas as they help a swallow in need. Squirrel, Mouse, and Hare are getting ready for Christmas. While Mouse is out looking for the perfect gift for Hare, she finds Swallow sick in the snow. The three friends bring Swallow home and try to nurse the bird back to health. Squirrel and Mouse realize their Christmas gifts will help Swallow get well. As they give up their presents to help Swallow, they find the Christmas spirit.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 21, 2020
This beautifully illustrated children’s book is the perfect story to read with children at Christmas time. It’s a wonderful story about selflessness, kindness, and love which is the true meaning of Christmas.
(Thanks to my GR friend Kathryn for calling my attention to this book!!)
(Thanks to my GR friend Kathryn for calling my attention to this book!!)
December 11, 2017
This is a sweet and simple Christmas story. I really loved Yee Von Chan's illustrations of the little woodland creatures.
Notes on representation: All of the characters are animals. This story emphasizes the values of caring and generosity, without discussion of the religious elements of Christmas.
Notes on representation: All of the characters are animals. This story emphasizes the values of caring and generosity, without discussion of the religious elements of Christmas.
December 20, 2017
I will always be a sucker for stories with swallows in them, bonus points if they are heartwarming Christmas stories.
December 28, 2018
A favorite find this year. Sweet story of giving at Christmas!
December 21, 2024
4* - A gentle tale reminding us that the true spirit of Christmas lies in giving, especially of ourselves.
December 20, 2017
Evans, Lezlie Finding Christmas 32 pgs. Albert Whitman, 2017. $17. PICTURE BOOK
This is the story of three animal friends getting ready for Christmas. One of them discovers an injured and freezing bird in the woods and the trio bring it home. They will have to give up their Christmas presents to each other in order to help the bird recover. There are sweet illustrations with harmonious colors.
Overall I liked this story, but the writing was short of off for me, kind of awkward. I am not sure younger readers will understand a gift exchange. Additionally there is an illustration of two birds outside in the cold, while they are trying to heal the bird inside, which will be confusing to younger readers as well. I like the message of helping others but I can honestly image a child hearing this story then feeling extra horrible as their family walks past a homeless person without dragging them home, giving them all their presents, and having a party together. At least that is how I would have felt as a child.
EL(K-3) -OPTIONAL. Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
This is the story of three animal friends getting ready for Christmas. One of them discovers an injured and freezing bird in the woods and the trio bring it home. They will have to give up their Christmas presents to each other in order to help the bird recover. There are sweet illustrations with harmonious colors.
Overall I liked this story, but the writing was short of off for me, kind of awkward. I am not sure younger readers will understand a gift exchange. Additionally there is an illustration of two birds outside in the cold, while they are trying to heal the bird inside, which will be confusing to younger readers as well. I like the message of helping others but I can honestly image a child hearing this story then feeling extra horrible as their family walks past a homeless person without dragging them home, giving them all their presents, and having a party together. At least that is how I would have felt as a child.
EL(K-3) -OPTIONAL. Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
December 11, 2017
If you are asked to name your favorite part of the Christmas season, what is your answer? Also, what one word best describes what Christmas means to you? Like many things in life it is to be expected our replies would be a reflection of our age, experiences and current circumstances. Maybe our responses would be different from one year to the next.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the preparations for the events attached to the celebration, we never truly pause to reflect on either of these questions. Our time is completely occupied with the cooking and baking, the decorating, the sending of Christmas cards and selecting the gifts to be given. In Finding Christmas (Albert Whitman & Company, October 1, 2017) written by Lezlie Evans with pictures by Yee Von Chan, three friends find themselves in an unexpected situation with life-changing results.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
Sometimes we get so caught up in the preparations for the events attached to the celebration, we never truly pause to reflect on either of these questions. Our time is completely occupied with the cooking and baking, the decorating, the sending of Christmas cards and selecting the gifts to be given. In Finding Christmas (Albert Whitman & Company, October 1, 2017) written by Lezlie Evans with pictures by Yee Von Chan, three friends find themselves in an unexpected situation with life-changing results.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
December 24, 2017
One of two new Christmas picture books this year that I think are worth adding to your personal collection (the other is Christmas for Bear by Becker). Both are about friends celebrating their affection for one another and trying their very best to make Christmas-time special for the other.
In this one, Hare, Squirrel and Mouse have nearly completed their Christmas preparations, with the exception of Mouse being able to find the perfect gift for Hare. When she goes out one final time on Christmas eve, hoping to find the perfect thing, she instead finds a swallow lying in the snow. She hurries back to the burrow to beckon her friends to help get the bird inside. They warm and nourish her, hoping beyond hope that she'll survive. In the process, the gifts they've prepared for each other are sacrificed as they recognize that there's someone who needs them more.
Very sweet story of friendship and opportunities to unselfishly serve.
In this one, Hare, Squirrel and Mouse have nearly completed their Christmas preparations, with the exception of Mouse being able to find the perfect gift for Hare. When she goes out one final time on Christmas eve, hoping to find the perfect thing, she instead finds a swallow lying in the snow. She hurries back to the burrow to beckon her friends to help get the bird inside. They warm and nourish her, hoping beyond hope that she'll survive. In the process, the gifts they've prepared for each other are sacrificed as they recognize that there's someone who needs them more.
Very sweet story of friendship and opportunities to unselfishly serve.
September 22, 2021
Back matter references Matthew 25, but there's nothing religious in the book at all.
It's a bit like Gift of the Magi within a group, including a stranger.
Three friends are preparing for Christmas and each has drawn the name of one other to buy a present for. Mouse hasn't found a present yet for Hare.
On Christmas Eve, they find a frozen swallow outside. They bring the swallow inside and try to warm them up. They use one present to brew tea that will help. They use another present to warm the swallow. On Christmas morning, the swallow wakes and sings. The singing is the 3rd present. They make more tea and cookies and share.
It's a bit like Gift of the Magi within a group, including a stranger.
Three friends are preparing for Christmas and each has drawn the name of one other to buy a present for. Mouse hasn't found a present yet for Hare.
On Christmas Eve, they find a frozen swallow outside. They bring the swallow inside and try to warm them up. They use one present to brew tea that will help. They use another present to warm the swallow. On Christmas morning, the swallow wakes and sings. The singing is the 3rd present. They make more tea and cookies and share.
December 16, 2023
This is a sweet one about kindness shown to others and includes a Bible verse on the verso page at the back of the book which adds an extra layer to the likely meaning of the story.
Squirrel, Mouse, and Hare are getting ready for Christmas by decorating, baking, and buying a gift after they picked names, but on an excursion, they find a swallow who was injured and decide to bring it in the house and nurse it back to health. But in order to do that their gifts to one another end up being exactly what the swallow needed to recover and now they have a new friend, too.
A meaningful story.
Squirrel, Mouse, and Hare are getting ready for Christmas by decorating, baking, and buying a gift after they picked names, but on an excursion, they find a swallow who was injured and decide to bring it in the house and nurse it back to health. But in order to do that their gifts to one another end up being exactly what the swallow needed to recover and now they have a new friend, too.
A meaningful story.
November 30, 2017
This book is so adorable! An absolute Christmas favorite, about three friends who live together and one who is trying to find the perfect gift. They end up taking in a sickly bird, who reminds them what Christmas is all about. The illustrations are darling as well! This would make a great gift for the Holiday season.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
January 31, 2018
Finding Christmas, written by Lezlie Evans and illustrated by Yee Von Chan, is a heart-warming Christmas tale of friendship and sacrifice. This is a quiet book that would be perfect to read by the fire or just before bed. The illustrations are soft and sweet, and my only tiny complaint about the whole book is the lack of expression in the eyes of the characters – a minor detail that might not bother others. Overall, a beautiful, heartwarming addition to the holiday line up and a book that can be enjoyed by children and adults. Highly recommended for ages 4 and up.
October 31, 2017
Squirrel, Mouse, and Hare exchanged names weeks ago but on Christmas Eve Mouse still hasn't gotten Hare a gift. Mouse goes out in search of the perfect gift. Instead he finds a bird that is frozen on the ground. Together the three friends bring Swallow into their burrow and nurse him back to health. Then on Christmas morning Swallow begins to sing giving Hare the gift of music which is what he enjoys more than anything else in the world.
November 18, 2017
This was a quiet, sweet story of three friends who share a home. It's about sharing, and doing for others, and a little bit about procrastination, to tell the truth! I'm not super big on anthropomorphism, so my rating may be a little slanted. It really is a sweet story, and the illustrations are very nice. There's lots and lots of white space on the pages, which is also a bit of a turn-off for me, but I did enjoy it. Recommended.
July 31, 2018
A cute little Christmas book that took a turn for the worst when a poor bird was found frozen and injured outside. The animals nursed her back to health, which was pretty cute. This book teaches children that it is better to help out other than to be selfish. Very good message. The one thing that I wish would have happened in this book was for the little bird to thank them, but I guess she kind of did with her singing (?)...that part wasn't too clear. However, cute book overall!
December 11, 2019
I loved this simple Christmas animal tale because it was all about serving others and giving of yourself. This story isn’t about physical presents or preparing for Christmas but instead about giving out of selfless love to others. Such a sweet story to share with your children to remind them of the true joy of Christmas!
The illustrations in this book were gorgeous and will hold the attention of your youngest children this Christmas.
The illustrations in this book were gorgeous and will hold the attention of your youngest children this Christmas.
March 11, 2026
Three friends, Squirrel, Mouse, Hare, are getting ready for Christmas when one discovers a frozen bird outside. They work together to bring Swallow inside and save her life. I love the way they share what they've given each other to help another. She rallies overnight and shares her own gift with all of them.
December 15, 2017
I bought a new Christmas story to share with my 6 year old granddaughter. We both like this one a lot. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is just so nice. My granddaughter asked me to read it to her three times! We highly recommend this book for your child's Christmas library.
September 12, 2018
The sweetest, most charming story about 3 animals who discover the real meaning of Christmas in serving a friend in need. I am definitely adding this one to our Christmas collection. I loved the beautiful illustrations and the simple but powerful message.
January 3, 2020
Beautiful story for any season
I looked at this delightful book in preparation for preaching and story telling this Epiphany, and I’m so glad I did. This simple book is a beautiful reminder for all ages.
I looked at this delightful book in preparation for preaching and story telling this Epiphany, and I’m so glad I did. This simple book is a beautiful reminder for all ages.
March 6, 2022
A delightful story about three animal friends who demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas and exemplify putting the needs of others above your own. The illustrations are simple but lovely, adding to the quaintness of this tale.
November 30, 2022
Nice story of friends caring for a stranger (bird) in need. Artwork is cute and open so it is easy to see. There are no overt religious references but the themes are there to draw from. Good option for classroom use.
December 12, 2025
The illustrations are fabulous, but I’m a bird nerd and was really annoyed that a sparrow was bigger than a rabbit. That just felt weird. I was also a little bothered by the idea of boys and girls as roommates.
October 3, 2017
sweet! great story about giving.
October 19, 2017
3.5 stars -- AWW! will be so many first reactions to this sweet little book. The gentle story of woodland animals who nurse a lost bird back to health on Christmas eve emphasizes that the meaning of the holiday isn't gift-grabbing, but caring for others.
October 19, 2017
Super cozy story, perfect for someone looking for a new Christmas book. Makes the reader want to curl up with some hot cocoa and hum quiet carols.
October 27, 2017
Heartwarming story and really lovely illustrations.
December 13, 2017
This is a story about the true meaning of Christmas.
November 26, 2017
3.5 stars
December 29, 2017
A very heart-warming, "Gift of the Magi"-esque tale, complete with beautiful illustrations of woodland creatures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews