Publishers Weekly
As the adult speaker of the story nods off in a comfy red chair, the Spirit of Christmas appears, ready to get the narrator in the holiday spirit. What follows is a buoyant, imagistic tribute to the season, as the Spirit lists joys both concrete (“A toy soldier band dressed in matching red sashes!”) and intangible, before offering the reminder: “Because it took nothing but love to begin it,/ it's not really Christmas if love isn't in it.” Tillman's ethereal illustrations (a frozen tree, dotted with peppermints; the cast of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” beside a river) are surreal but captivating. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)
School Library Journal
K-Gr 4–“I had just nodded off,/at a quarter past four,/when the Spirit of Christmas/stepped in through my door.” So begins this lovely story in which all the delights of the season are presented. Realism and fantasy are satisfyingly paired to bring the mixed-media illustrations of treasured holiday scenes to life. Many of the paintings include bits of lyrics and music from well-known carols. The message is sweet; no matter how fancy one’s decorations, no matter how elaborate one’s feast, or how many pretty packages wait beneath the tree, “It is love that makes the angels sing.” A beautiful and timeless book.–Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library
Kirkus Reviews
Bestselling author Tillman offers a dreamlike interpretation of the collective spirit that permeates the holiday. The first-person rhyming text shows the narrator (the author herself?) dozing off just as the personified Spirit enters the room. The following illustrations and text create a magical atmosphere, with a sleigh splashing through water, peppermints growing on trees and wolves howling a Christmas carol. A page representing peace shows a lion lying down with a lamb with a dove overhead, and another page shows a flock of sheep under the Christmas star with a textual reference to the baby of the season. This mysterious approach concludes with the narrator's child viewing the Christmas tree, which to her is the best part of Christmas. The illustrations have an appealing, surrealistic quality, but the caliber of the text is uneven. (Picture book. 4-7)
From the Publisher
Tillman (On the Night You Were Born) expertly swirls together reality and fantasy—the narrator's child delights in the sight of the decorated tree, the lion lies down with the lamb—as is fitting for such a magical night.” —Shelf Awareness
“Handsomely illustrated, this Christmas book is bound to be hyped as the perfect seasonal gift. …Tillman's sentimental sensibility and beautiful artwork ensure that this will become a popular choice at holiday time.” —Booklist
“A beautiful and timeless book.” —School Library Journal
“As the adult speaker of the story nods off in a comfy red chair, the Spirit of Christmas appears, ready to get the narrator in the holiday spirit. What follows is a buoyant, imagistic tribute to the season, as the Spirit lists joys both and intangible, before offering the reminder: ‘Because it took nothing but love to begin it,/ it's not really Christmas if love isn't in it.' Tillman's ethereal illustrations are surreal but captivating.” —Publishers Weekly
“Bestselling author Tillman offers a dreamlike interpretation of the collective spirit that permeates the holiday.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The wonderful colored illustrations convey a sense of joy and peace.” —Children's Literature
“This is one of those rare baby books that should make both skeptics and sentimentalists of all ages happy.” —Publishers Weekly on On the Night You Were Born
“A beautiful tribute to the uniqueness of every child.” —Kirkus Reviews on On the Night You Were Born
“Many parents will welcome this opportunity to tell their children how special and loved they are.” —Booklist on On the Night You Were Born
NOVEMBER 2009 - AudioFile
A pair of Christmas poems is rendered by the inestimable Jim Dale. The lovely opening poem evokes the heartwarming spirit of the season. It's short (picture-book length) and worth repeated listening. Then Dale segues into Clement Moore's classic "Night Before Christmas," and, once again, his delivery is as jolly as we've all grown to expect from this always-popular narrator. The rest of this production is filled with traditional Christmas carols sung by a choir of young-sounding voices. This filler material feels like what it is—padding. Holiday albums by your favorite musical artists would be more fun. M.M.C. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
