It’s the most wonderful time of the yeaaaaaaar…

POSTED BY mrenart ON December 16, 2011

Every Christmas Eve, my parents would sit on my bed and my dad would read aloud ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas while I burned with excitement and fear about Santa. I remember even then that this version we had struck me as odd—the illustrations featured oversized, reddened features and a seemingly ancient typography. (And maybe this version happens to be an amazing collector’s item from the 1800s and I’m unwittingly criticizing it, and my mom will call me to point out that my great-great-great-uncle received said book from King Edward before he abdicated his throne.)

When I was fourteen, I worked in a library (nerd), and my coworker handed me The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. I felt instantly both enchanted and gypped: What an amazing, tale! Why didn’t I get to grow up reading that each year? I love this! I hate that I’m just finding out about it now.

So despite all of my lovely sentimental feelings about The Night Before Christmas, I’m going to go with The Polar Express as my favorite Christmas book. It’s magical, it transported me, and the pictures are ethereal yet warm and cozy. Way to go, Van Allsburg.

Here’s what other PR by the Book-ers shared as their favorite Christmas story:

Elaine: You took mine – The Polar Express! It’s become a tradition to watch the movie and read the book with my boys. And the Austin Steam Train Assoc. does the “North Pole Flyer” every year. They can’t call it The Polar Express legally, but everyone knows that’s what it is. People wear their jammies, drink hot chocolate, and you drive to pick up Santa. Mrs. Clause is there, too.

I also love A Christmas Carol (or as Megan would call it – A Christmas Cookie) [Ed. note: inside joke, nyah nyah!] and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Babs: A Cup of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg. A book that reminds you of the importance of family.

Stephanie: My fave is ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Such a classic!

Tolly: This isn’t a book (it’s a movie) – but I love, LOVE any rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I’m a sucker for claymation … anything.

So, consider this an open call to authors to create a book version of Rudolph if they haven’t already. ;)

Kristie: Do movies count? I really like to watch Love, Actually around Christmas. It’s not really a Christmas story, but the setting is Christmastime and I guess it is seasonal a-la-All-I-Want-for-Christmas-Is-You

Tatum: I don’t have a favorite adult book, but for a kids book:

The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia M. Scarry and J.P. Miller. I read this book to my kids every year starting around Thanksgiving. It is a scratch and sniff book and they love the smells. After 7 years we can still smell the items in the book.

It’s the most wonderful time of the yeaaaaaaar…

POSTED BY mrenart ON December 16, 2011

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