The First Christmas Stocking

by Elizabeth Winthrop, Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)

"Dream your dreams, my child, and knit them into the wool."

A long time ago a girl named Claire learned to knit by her mother's side. As the mother knit mittens, scarves and all sorts of clothing for the wealthy people of the town, Claire set about knitting stockings to keep her toes warm. Claire, her mother and father, you see, were poor. They lived in a stone hut, with little wood to burn and meagre food to eat. So Claire knit stockings and--with Christmas approaching--heeded her mother's words to knit her Christmas dreams into the wool.

Soon Claire became known as the stocking girl--with many orders for stockings to fill. One such order ensured her a handsome payment. Enough to fill her family's hut with light and food. But as she trudged through the snow to deliver the stockings on Christmas Eve, Claire was stirred to share her knitted dreams with someone truly in need.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2006

About the author

ELIZABETH WINTHROP ALSOP (www.elizabethwinthropalsop.com), is the author of over sixty works of fiction for all ages, including ISLAND JUSTICE and IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, both available as e-books.

DAUGHTER OF SPIES: Wartime Secrets, Family Lies, her memoir about her parents' love affair during World War II and her own childhood in 1950s Washington as the daughter of a famous journalist, will be published October 25, 2022 by Regal House.

Her short story, The Golden Darters, was selected by Best American Short Stories by Robert Stone and was recently read on SELECTED SHORTS by the renowned actress, Ann Dowd. She is the author of the memoir piece, Don't Knock Unless You're Bleeding; Growing Up in Cold War Washington.The daughter of Stewart Alsop, the political journalist, she divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires.

Her historical novel, COUNTING ON GRACE was chosen as a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association, the National Council of Social Studies, the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council among others. The novel has also been nominated for state book awards in Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri,Indiana, Hawaii and Arizona.

THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC and its sequel, THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE, were nominated for twenty-three state book awards and are considered children’s fantasy classics.

Her popular picture books include DUMPY LA RUE, SHOES,DOG SHOW, SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE and most recently, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING and THE BIGGEST PARADE. Two of her recent books for older children are THE RED-HOT RATTOONS, a comic fantasy novel and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, Letters from a Milltown Girl, a work of historical fiction set in western Massachusetts.

For more information, www.elizabethwinthrop.com

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves." -- Helen Keller

A sweet tale of charity and kindness. Claire cherishes the comforts of home and family, and her heart has been strengthened by love. She has a generous spirit and there's a luminosity to her that is never extinguished, even on the darkest days. She finds an unexpected opportunity to extend kindness and brighten another's day even when it comes at the expense of greater happiness for herself.

The imagery is lovely, both literally and figuratively. The contrasts of mother and child, light and dark, bright and dull, and cold and warmth, display the joy and contentedness that comes from simple pleasures such as comfort and love, as well as the joylessness that occurs when comfort is lacking. No matter whether you are the giver or the receiver, love truly does warm the heart and the soul.

[Gina House · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and very touching! This gorgeously illustrated children's book is one of my favorites this holiday season. The story has a gentle lesson of generosity of spirit and completely stole my heart. I could look at the full color drawings all day long—the expressions are so lifelike! There were many cozy scenes that I just wanted to jump right into the book and be part of it!

I don't know how I never heard of this book before, but I just loved it. Highly recommended, especially if you're a knitter!

[Grace RS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminds me of the Victorian Christmas stories (like those written by Alcott) that told of impoverished families barely surviving, but who nevertheless sacrifice their own meagre provisions to help another. A moralistic tale: good things await the virtuous. The light in her house also becomes symbolic--her candles never diminish because her inward little light shines bright.

I do love the illustrations; they're cozy, nostalgic, and detailed.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this is lovely! Claire's family is rather poor, but her home is filled with love. Her mother teaches her to knit her dreams into the wool as she makes stockings. The stockings are warm, but Claire's heart is even warmer. This is a lovely story!

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Christmas books for children. However, I think I like it me for me. My daughter doesn’t enjoy it neatly as much.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

charming, seasonal tale

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful and tender story!!!

[Becker Children · Rating 2 out of 5]

Children’s secular Christmas book tropes covered: soft fuzzy illustrations (very different from what else I’ve seen from Ibatoulline), poverty, death, kindness.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique fairy tale like story about Christmas stockings with a message about sharing and being grateful for what we have.

[Mckinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this story confusing at the end. Was she generous? Did she make a negligent, choice that affected her supporting her family (father)? Did she break her contact and go back on her word? We can feel good about her providing the poor, cold boy with socks but why didn't she just bring him home? Why didn't she take the socks to the family as promised and then buy food for them all? And on and on. I don't think this is very thought out. And it's not a model of behavior I'd wish to display or read to children.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, I loved this book since it combines the spirit of a simple Christmas with my love of knitting. However, reader beware! The mother dies in the story and this was upsetting for my 3 yr old, who got very sad and asked throughout the rest why she had to die and that he didn't like for people or dogs or cats to die. So, I should have preread...

[Knitology]

Dream your dreams, my child, and knit them into the wool." A long time ago a girl named Claire learned to knit by her mother's side. As the mother knit mittens, scarves and all sorts of clothing for the wealthy people of the town, Claire set about knitting stockings to keep her toes warm.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful Christmas story that left me in tears, mindful of my many blessings. This is the story of a little girl who learns at her mother's knee how to knit stockings and how she blesses the life of a little boy one Christmas.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all-time favourite Christmas book!! Absolutely love this story and read it every year - with or without the kids.
It does have a slightly similar theme to The Little March Girl, another of my favourites from childhood.
Inspires me to keep knitting socks!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

left my preschool group spellbound. Surprising since it was a little long.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet fairytale of a Christmas story. A bit of a Little Match Girl, but sweet and worth a read even so. The illustrations were wonderful, too.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

During one of my sprees of reading kid's books I picked this one up. I liked it and I'm jealous of s kill the girl has!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great heart warming story!

[Larissa]

3.5 Stars

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

k

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful. They add warmth to the story.