The Spirit of Christmas

by Nancy Tillman Narrated by Jim Dale

Overview

A celebration of the most magical holiday of the year, by the incomparable bestselling author Nancy Tillman.

Bells jingle, sleds dash through the snow, trees are topped with sparkling stars, and children everywhere dream of candy canes and presents. But the best gift of all-the most magical gift of the season-is when we spend Christmas with those we love.

Once again, this New York Times-bestselling author and artist has created a special, beautiful story that families will want to share year after year.

Editorial Reviews

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

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169283464
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	09/29/2009
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

Read an Excerpt

I had just nodded off,
at a quarter past four,
when the Spirit of Christmas
stepped in through my door.

With a great show of sparkles,
he decked all my halls in tinsel and
twinkles and bright, shining balls...

I was really quite fond
of the trimmings he'd brought.
"But there's just something missing
this Christmas," I thought.

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