December

by Eve Bunting, David Díaz (Illustrator)

Simon and his mom don't have much--the cardboard house they built for themselves, a tiny Christmas tree, and a picture of an angel pinned to one wall. On Christmas Eve they take in a frail stranger who needs a place to keep warm, and the next morning Simon wakes early to find that the woman has vanished. Instead, he sees December, the angel from the picture, with her wings fanned out over their cardboard house. Could she be real?

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Family, Poverty

36 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Also known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.

Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.

Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.

In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sobering, yet touching tale of a homeless boy and his mother, and the one Christmas Eve they shared the little that they had with a needy stranger. A beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations by David Díaz.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very touching story about a homeless mother and son who aid a woman in need only to discover that the old woman isn't at all who she seems. It's a heart-lifting story and it's well told. It's one of a few that Bunting did with a focus on homeless people. Of course, this one is more subtle on the homeless aspect. The boy always talks about where he lives like its a very small home. If you didn't pick up on the context clues, you'd miss that whole aspect. It could be a Christmas story, but I think it has a broader intention than that. This was cleverly crafted, just as many of Eve Bunting's stories are. Highly recommended.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely and enchanting story. It brought tears to my eyes as I read it. I am reminded of this verse: Hebrews 13:2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it.

The illustrations are heartbreakingly beautiful! I love the inscription by the author:

"To my grandchildren - 'For you have the faces of angels.'"

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful heart-felt story.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Hebrews 13:3

[Cheryl]

Very Christmas and Christian, because of the miracle. Otherwise could be used at any time to try to help children (at least age five up, I think) about poverty. I'm an atheist, so I don't feel qualified to rate, but tbh I didn't much like it, as it felt overly preachy.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching story. How many would do what the mother and son did?

[Julie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A K-3 illustrated children's book that differentiates itself from other Christmas classics.

[Rachel Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have greatly enjoyed reading this book. It really allowed me to take a deeper look inside of the life of homeless people. The kindness of the characters in the text broke many stereotypes of homeless people. For example, many think that homeless people are scary or mean. This book was a good reminder for myself. It made me realize that even in what feels like my lowest, I still have something to give to others. Even though it sounds cliché, this book also reveals a theme of not judging a book by its cover. My favorite part of the book was the illustrations on each page. I love how the backgrounds appear to be a mix of cardboard boxes and newspapers. Overall, I would recommend December to anyone that is looking for a picture book that shows a different culture that people are not familiar with.




I have greatly enjoyed reading this book to my class. My students, for the most part, are very privileged and fall within the middle class. They do not understand that many people their age do not get to experience the grand Christmas experience like they have every year. This book was a great way to show them that not everyone has a roof over their head. This text was also a great way for me to encourage my students to show kindness to each other as well as to strangers because you never know how kindness can not only change the person's life but your life as well. I used this book during a regular class read-aloud where I like to choose texts that are not only character builders but also multicultural. My students had never really known what life as a homeless person really looked like until they were read this book. I will definitely keep reading this text every year in my class because of the potential impact it has to change lives.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

December is a children's picture book written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by David Díaz. It is a holiday book about the nature of generosity, miracles, and the holiday spirit.

Bunting's text is rather simplistic and straightforward. The narrative is a wonderful touching holiday tale about the season of generosity, sharing, and showing hospitality to strangers – even if one is homeless. Diaz's acrylic, watercolor, and gouache paintings have the monumentality and intensity of stained glass, with their flat planes of color and black outlines. The angel, with the wings of the feathered cloak of a Mesoamerican goddess, is a glorious creation.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Simon and his mom live in a cardboard box, but they have a scrap of a Christmas tree, some found decorations including Simon's toy soldier, and an angel on the wall, named December, torn from an old calendar. On Christmas Eve, an old woman begs them to share their box, and they let her in, where Simon offers her one of the two cookies he is saving for Christmas day. In the morning, the old woman is gone, and the angel herself, singing softly, seems to fill the doorway before fading away. The next Christmas Eve finds Simon and his mother in a real apartment she has found a job, and the December angel is on their new wall.

All in all, December is a wonderful story about a child, a mother, and the holiday spirit.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written and illustrated picture book is a heartwarming story to share with young readers. Simon and his mother are homeless. They live in a cardboard box and only have room for themselves and a few Christmas decorations. But even as cold and as tough as things are for them on Christmas Eve, when another homeless woman knocks on their door, they let her in and share what little they have. The boy has a beautiful dream about angels after the old lady departs. As their situation improves and they are in an apartment the next Christmas, they reflect on the true meaning of giving and sharing during the holidays. This is a good book to start a conversation with children about those that are vulnerable and cold and hungry in our communities and to explore ways to share our blessings with those that are in need.

[Carolynn Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a decades-long annual read and favorite in our Christmas collection. This year, I reread it with my grown sons so we could all treasure those memories. It is a different kind of Christmas story, told from the perspective of a homeless little boy. I love his vulnerability and honesty--especially in regards to how difficult it is to give up his hard-earned Christmas cookie (his one special treat at Christmas) to the stranger they welcome into their cardboard home on Christmas Eve. The mysterious/miraculous turn of events told in his little boy matter-of-fact way makes for a perfect and unique Christmas miracle story. We LOVE this book in our home, and find the illustrations just as unique and enchanting as the story itself. Highly recommend!!!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon and his mother live in a box & newspaper house on the street. It’s Christmas Eve and they have decorated a tree with a toy soldier, beads found on the street, a spoon . On the wall, they have the picture of an angel from a calendar. They have called her December. As they lie down to go to sleep, there is a knock on their box. An old woman asks if they can share their shelter with her. Though cautious, Simon’s mother allows the woman in for the night. When they wake up in the morning, she’s gone. But after that night, things get better for Simon and his mom and by next Christmas they are in their own apartment. Who was that woman?

A beautiful book with a timely message.

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

My family came from a tradition that believed that angels visit on Christmas Eve to bring grace; we always set the table with an extra space. In America this has now become Santa with tangible gifts for children who often are not expected to give anything at all to anybody, much less their valuable one cookie for a homeless stranger. It was hard not to think of the shacks described by Luis Alberto Urrea in Across the Wire: "Someone is thumping on our door, which isn't a door at all, just a piece of wood propped against the opening we made." Bunting dedicated this one to her grandchildren, who "have the faces of angels"; she is able to show such beauty in all her books.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suddenly feel guilty for the times I stand in front of my closet full of clothes, and think, "I have nothing to wear." We have so many tree ornaments that some remain in the box each year because there's not enough room on the tree. We have fancy dishes, unused in cupboards. An extra refrigerator in the garage...which itself is a room designed to house our two cars. The stark contrast between this abundance, and the great want of so many, never ceases to shock me. I hope to keep this discrepancy in mind as I make spending decisions throughout the upcoming weeks leading to Christmas.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart so deeply and is beyond a doubt, one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories to share with my students. They have often never seen or heard of it , which makes it such a special gift to share with them. To me, it is so much more of what Christmas is about than the standard Santa fare found in every corner of every bookstore. In addition to the beauty of the story, the illustrations, done primarily with collage, are just terrific. I wish this book was still in print, as it is truly a treasure!

[Cassidy Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

December is a childrens picture book published in 1997. It tells of a boy and his mom who are practically homeless living in a house made of cardboard and despite the little they have when an old woman comes asking for help they welcome her. This book could serve as a way to talk about the importance of selflessness and to give to others who may be less fortunate. It can also be used in the classroom to talk about the topic of homelessness.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations add beautifully to the story of a homeless mother and son. They are celebrating Christmastime in their cardboard box. There is a knock on the door and an elderly woman asks for shelter for the night.

This is a great story to begin a homelessness discussion with children grades 2 on up.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

How have I missed this book for 20 years?! The story and art stand up well and did not disappoint. A story about a homeless boy and his mother who share what little they have. It may be too sophisticated for very young children, but a great picture book for middle grade students can be hard to come by. This is one that is not slap-you-in-the-face sad, but certainly engages the readers emotions.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another librarian told me that she reads this book to her older students every year before Christmas. I wasn't able to get a copy in time to read to my classes but I will be ordering a copy for my library so that I can read it next year. I don't love the paintings and artwork, but the story is so good it doesn't matter.

Story: 5
Illustrations: 3
Read-aloud: 5

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual and uncommon story of a Christmas visitor, as a kid and his mom in their cardboard shelter take in a third person for the night. OK, it's not at all unusual - it's the same "do unto others, open your doors, lest you forget who might open doors for you" kind of moral, but it's certainly done differently here.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reminded of this book because of the stream of refugees leaving Ukraine, needing the help of strangers, so I looked it up and reread it. It's not your typical Christmas story - and yet it is more of a Christmas message than most picture books about Christmas.

[MaryAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrations are great. Well done story of a homeless family Christmas that allows them to be the protagonists and not the recipient of aid. This would be a great book to pair with discussions on what Nativity would look like today. For older children.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with 5th graders just before Christmas. Provides many opportunities for inference, gratitude, and wonderment about miracles and angels!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story, relevant for today. Beautiful pictures.

[Barb]

Perfect book for the holidays for second and third graders. Discusses homelessness and hope at a level that children can understand.

[EllieVreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to talk about with my fourth graders. They loved the art and the story itself made my cross-the-faiths class comment.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story of giving and sharing out of one's own need, and entertaining angels unawares. Wonderfully illustrated.

[Jillypenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the 2020 book riot challenge task. This is a pretty rough kids story of homeless people at Xmas. It end with very Christian overtones.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very cool. I liked the pictures.

[Rebecca Caufman]

A story about a homeless family who shares even when they have so very little.