Какво е Коледа?

by Lynn Plourde, Лин Плорд, Jennifer L. Meyer (Illustrator)

Изпълнена с празнична атмосфера и топли чувства, тази книжка носи истинския дух на Коледа – споделянето на специалните моменти с любимите ни хора.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Animals, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

I write kids' books--talk about a FUN job! I worked for 21 years as a speech-language therapist in Maine schools. When I got married, I got 3 & 4-year-old stepsons as part of my ready-made family. I read the boys picture books at bedtime. They fell asleep after 2 or 3 books, but I kept reading stacks and stacks of picture books and started to dream . . . maybe I could write picture books. I was already writing educational books (listening & speaking ideas for the classroom), but PICTURE BOOKS--that was different!

Different, and sloooooow! I had 13 years of rejections before getting my first book published, Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud, and I still get more rejections than acceptances--even after having more than 40 books published. So I'm still an author-in-training--learning to be a better author all the time.

I LOVE writing, the whole creative process. I also LOVE sharing my books with kids at schools: doing interactive readings, turning one of my books into a play, and teaching students how to plan and write different kinds of stories (i.e. problem stories, character stories, graphic novel scenes, fables) modeled after my books.

I love to try new kinds of writing such as poetic stories, a biography, a graphic novel, and more. Writing new kinds of stories is a challenge, but it makes writing fun and keeps me interested in the process.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darling and sweet, with just a few words, but truly captures the essence of the season. It’s not the presents you remember year after year, but the goodness and joy you felt as you experienced the delights of this special time of year. A heartwarming read with adorable animals!

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! This book is beautiful and so sweet. Nature is a huge part of this book and the animals in this book give relationship for Christmas and memories. The colors are amazing in this book and this is what you call story book perfect.

It reminds me of the song ‘My favorite Things’. All these wonderful, gooey feelings and memories in life are in this book. If you are looking for the beautiful book that is sweet with a good message, then this is the book of 2019

The nephew went crazy for the cute animals in this one. So much so that he brought the niece into the room and we reread the story for her. Both of them were squealing at the cute animals. The nephew wanted there to be more presents in this one, but it’s not about presents here, but presence. He gave this 4 stars. The niece loved the story and she gave this 4 stars too. The stars have aligned, either the world will end of peace is coming to the world.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book about the feelings of Christmas. Sights, sounds, and smells are evoked through the lovely illustrations of cute critters as they make preparations for the holiday. I don't know where this magical forest is, but I'd love to visit!

I was a bit taken aback by the very first illustration. A baby lynx is being held up by a parent to catch a snowflake on their tongue. Unfortunately, the illustrator decided to highlight the downward motion of the snowflake with what looks like smoke. Combined with the horizontal tongue jutting out of the lynx's mouth, it looked like it was smoking a cigarette! (I had to zoom in to see it properly.) It's just something to be aware of, in case your kids ask why the baby cat is smoking.

The rest of the pictures, though, are stunning. I don't know if I could pick a favourite. They're lovely. I will definitely be looking for other books illustrated by Meyer.

Overall, and in spite of the smoking lynx, I really enjoyed this one. It's a nice antidote to the commercialism of the holiday, and helps to highlight and recapture some of the Christmas magic from times past.

Quotable moment:

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Нежна, снежна, но пък изключително уютна. Много сладки илюстрации. Единствен минус е меката корица, защото такова вълшебство заслужава твърди и здрави корици

[Linda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful illustrations and quaint loving way to share the Christmas season. Nature and it's residents all have a favorite way to celebrate and with a snowy background and family spirit, this is a great book to share with your children.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It might be because this is the start of the holiday season but the illustrations and the sweet, simple story warmed my heart.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg this is just the sweetest book ever, with the most adorable illustrations!!!

[Nadya Trifonova-Dimova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Невъзможно сладки илюстрации и стихчета, обожавам я 🩷

[Kelly]

Who knew there could still be new interesting Christmas books? This is a really cute one about baby animals and their relations to Christmas or what it might be like for them. I will admit that on the first page I thought the kitten was smoking until I realized it was his tongue trying to catch a snowflake. The "smoke" from the snowflake was pretty unnecessary. But the illustrations are really sweet and so is the story.

[Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the sweet illustrations

[Clwseattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's nice to see a new Christmas book that is celebratory and gentle. The illustrations of If I Could Give You Christmas are stunning, the sentiment tender.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very lovely illustrations accompany this heartwarming tale of parents and children sharing the various customs associated with the Christmas holiday.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you could wrap Christmas up into a children's book, this is it! Beautiful illustrations that give this Christmas story to life. Every page reminds you of feelings, smells, and all the fun things about Christmas (Waking up early, singing songs, smelling cocoa,etc.). This book will be a patron favorite!

[Victoria M · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could only own one picture book I think it would be this. Christmas is my favorite holiday and this book brings back so many fun moments and instills the excitement of Christmas that it brings me.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Christmas books! This book is a sweet reminder that the best gifts do not need fancy wrapping paper and a bow.

[Christena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisitely illustrated with scenes of wildlife, this book brings home the message most important of all - that the best gift we can give is of ourselves.

The raccoons, foxes, and bears were among my favorite illustrations. By far the moose illustration is phenomenal.

[melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are so adorable!!

[Taisha Casimir · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute read :)

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely story. We go animal by animal through the forest and each says what they would give someone if they could give Christmas. And if someone pays close attention, none of them can be wrapped with a bow. This book was really sweet. And the illustrations are just gorgeous.

[Melissa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely gorgeous. The illustrations are stunning. The story, beautiful. It's the perfect holiday picture book and I cannot wait to share it with my niece.

Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for my copy to read and review.

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful! I will be buying a copy to add to my collection. 📚❄🎄

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I Could Give You Christmas by Lynn Plourde, illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer. PICTURE BOOK. Disney, 2019. $18. 9781368002677

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A variety of forest animals prepare for Christmas, enjoying tender moments.

Meyer’s illustrations are a beautiful feast for eye and heart. The tender sentiments make for a perfect lap book, whether for parent and child or grandparent and child.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Dylan Teut · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shame that a Christian holiday has been turned into another secular book. I love Christmas, but if you leave out Christ, you're leaving out the whole point of the holiday. No mention of Jesus in the book. All sentimental stuff. Disappointed.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are GORGEOUS. Beautiful book. The text is sweet and the book is just overall adorable.

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Какво е Коледа?“. Трудно е да отговорим на този въпрос с едно-единствено изречение. Но писателката Лин Плорд, художничката Дженифър Л. Мейър и поетесата Петя Александрова дават отговора под формата на чаровна книжка, която идва за празниците от изд. „Хермес“, които обещават: „Изпълнена с празнична атмосфера и топли чувства, тази книжка носи истинския дух на Коледа – споделянето на специалните моменти с любимите ни хора.“ Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I'd like to thank Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me a copy in exchange for a review!

This book I'd say would be great for one on one reading with a parent and their child. I think it's one of those books you want to read with them for the holidays year after year. It also helps with extending the learning by reading about certain aspects of Christmas, and getting your child to view it from their eyes what they see with their own Christmas (Or other holiday!)

Overall, this was a short and sweet read that's perfect for the holiday season! I'd definitely give this to anyone who has kids and celebrates to read during that season.

[Cindy Overcast · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If I Could Give You Christmas” written by Lynn Plourde and illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer (Copyright 2019, Disney Hyperion imprint of Disney Book Group) presents some of the tastes, sights, smells, and sounds of the Christmas season as animals in the winter forest celebrate the joy that can be found in sharing them with each other. This beautiful book, with gorgeous illustrations that will have you pausing to admire them, also serves as a reminder that the best gifts of all “don’t have a bow.”
This review was originally part of a December, 2020 blog post, "PICTURE BOOK FAVORITES ABOUT CHRISTMAS," that can be found at cindyovercast.com.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn's poetic perspective infuses her picture book version of Christmas.

It's a holiday of pointy trees
and pretty decorations
and birds who sing Christmas carols.

If you love to view the holiday as a sentimental fantasy world
where the best expression of a major religious holiday (for humans)
comes from bunnies who wear matching red scarves, etc.???

Well, enjoy!

[Mandy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty cute book about the importance of families on holidays and celebrating with people you love. I think this would be a cute book that you could read leading up to Christmas and even do a fun activity along with it. I would definitely use this in my classroom library and I would use it as a read aloud as well. I recommend it for classroom ages K-2nd grade.

[Robbi C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book! Although, my family did have a slight hiccup in the beginning where we argued about whether the little bunny was smoking, eating a steaming hot cookie, or sticking his warm tongue out to cats he a cold snowflake, thereby causing heat to rise from his mouth. 🤷‍♀️😂