A HOUSEFUL OF CHRISTMAS

A blizzard makes it impossible for anyone to leave, turning an evening of caroling, food, and presents into a sleepover at Granny’s house for the whole family. Granny spends weeks baking, decorating, and wrapping in preparation for the arrival of her large family. Her dog Edgar eagerly awaits the patting hands of the lively group while Fat Cat can be found scowling under a chair or behind a sofa. When they all finally arrive, they troop in to sit down for a huge dinner and an evening of Christmas fun. At some point during the evening, the soft fall of snowflakes becomes a blowing storm making it impossible to go home. Some blankets and a few pillows make wonderful nests for the family as they find room on the living-room floor. An inventory of the various family members finds each making the best of things, even Fat Cat, who finds a warm tummy to curl up on. “Whhhhh went the wind . . . Shhhhh went the snow . . . Tick tick tick went the grandfather clock but everyone was fast asleep.” Lewin’s (Dumpy La Rue, p. 510, etc.) charming line and watercolor illustrations of the holiday season fill these pages with bustling detail, adding a whimsical touch to the tale of one family’s Christmas. A wonderful addition to a seasonal collection. (Picture book. 2-5)