I have a pretty nice Christmas book collection. The Christmas List of Richard Lindsay will make a perfect addition to my collection.

The story is very heartfelt and the illustrations are beautiful. The wonderful message that giving to others can bring joy in your life is at the center of this cute book. This is a book that all families should make a part of their Christmas celebration.

I came across this one and requested it, as I’ve been looking for Christmas reads for the younger members of my family. I don’t have the physical copy, but the copy I received was somewhat disappointing - through no fault of the author - just formatting issues. I am certain the physical copy would not have the same ‘issues’ that I experienced with this.

Where The Christmas List of Richard Lindsay excels is in the illustrations, courtesy of Dan Burr, which are stunning, and the story is a charming and heartwarming story set during the Great Depression. This is also a realistic story based on the author’s life which shares some of the hardships of the era and the author’s memories, which might appeal more to parents, but also offers a chance to share how life has changed since then.


Pub Date: 19 Sep 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Shadow Mountain Publishing / Shadow Mountain

A beautifully illustrated story about a boy named Richard living during the Great Depression who learns that the greatest presents we have are people to love!

I received a review copy of The Christmas List of Richard Lindsay last week, and the next decision I had to make was when to read it to the children. I like to read review books to all four of my school children at once, to see the reactions of a range of ages. I decided to read it to them as our history/geography/science time for that day—and was glad to see that it fit into the history category, since it is a true story from 1933, during the Great Depression!
Richard was beginning to wonder if Christmas would come to their home this year. Probably not, he figured, since no one had much money anymore. Then, he saw a truck come and start handing out turkeys to a long line of men. When he asked his mother to get one for them, she told him they didn’t need it--they could eat the fat red rooster out in the coop! Well, that was one problem solved, but what about gifts? Mother suggested he make a list of everyone he loved and see what he could do for them.
Richard remembered his collection of coins from doing odd jobs around the neighborhood. He found bookmarks for his teacher and uncles, hair clips for his big sisters, crayons for his little sister, and other little things for the other people he loved. But what about Mother, the one he loved the most?
The Christmas List of Richard Lindsay is a beautiful book. The story is beautiful, and so are the illustrations. They glow! This book would be a treasured gift for any child, and a beautiful addition to any collection of picture books. The story is worth reading over and over.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: No warnings!

This is the sweet true story of a Christmas the author’s father remembers the best. In 1933 money was tight for everyone and Richard worries if Christmas will come, but his widowed mother assures him they have everything they need. Richard unselfishly uses every penny he owns to bring happiness to the people he loves. This is a reminder that true joy comes from giving to others rather than receiving and being grateful for people to love. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for a temporary digital ARC to use for my review.

Set during the Great Depression, The Christmas List of Richard Lindsay follows young Richard as he wonders about this year's Christmas. Will there be a turkey? Will there be presents? Mother reassures him that they have everything they need, but how can Richard bring a little Christmas joy to those he loves? With his mother's encouragement, he makes a list and sets out to bring some Christmas spirit.

This delightful children's picture book brings to life the message of giving. Based on a true story, The Christmas List of Richard Lindsay is a sweet reminder that it truly is better to give than to receive. Beautifully illustrated in 1930's style, this book also touches on the themes of thankfulness and family relationships, making it a sweet story to share with your little ones again and again.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I love Christmas picture books. This one is a beautiful story with beautiful illustration. I would read this book every year for Christmas. It is a great reminder of the gift of loved ones. Highly recommend.

What a charming story! It was simple enough that I can’t wait to read it with my young children, but also has a message that even I, as an adult, got something from it.
Such a well written story about a little boy during the depression and learning to share Christmas with others.

And the pictures were beautiful!

Hmmm… Very pretty and nicely turned out (and I don't just mean the mother, boom tish) this tries to convey the Christmas message as being one of family, togetherness, and thanks for the people we have around us to love and feel loved by. But what does this mean as regards this particular kid? Buying stuff he probably can't really in all honesty afford and splurging on presents. So which is it – one or the other? Because when you see a book with all its honest heart and hard work not being able to tell the difference between the two, then isn't that the end of the non-commercial Christmas for everyone? If you're perfectly OK with the gifting and spending as highlighted here being your Christmas lesson, this has enough soul and religion to add to your season. But if you feel like me, this seems an effort ill-aimed.

What a sweet and beautifully illustrated Christmas story! It is possibly best for older children, but with a little rewording or explaining on the part of the reader, can also be good for young children. The Christmas List of Richard Lindsay is inispiring for children and adults to focus on the people they love and not the gifts at Christmas. It reminds us that we don't have to have a lot to have a meaningful Christmas. Like Richard's Christmas, the ones where we focus on those we love and bringing them joy, are the Christmases that we best remember.

4.5 stars
This is a sweet Christmas story for children, based on a true story. The message of the book is lovely though maybe too subtle for young kids to grasp without some help. The pictures are realistic and eye catching. I think this story would be a good one to read annually for kids to have the story seep deep into their hearts over the years, just like the story was told to the author year after year.

*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

What a beautifully written story about the true meaning of Christmas from the perspective of a young boy. It touched my heart. And the illustration is absolutely beautiful.

"The Chritmas List of Richard Lindsay" is inspired by the story the author heard from his father growing up. His widowed mother tells young Richard that they may be poor but they have all they need. When he begins to search our gifts for Christmas his mother advises him to write down the names of all the people he loves. He uses the one dollar he has saved up and is able to purchase small items for everyone on his list. He finds that they joy of those he brings gifts too is a present all of its own.

While the hidden message of 'giving is better than receiving' may be apparent to adults, it is buried so that little ones might need some extra help to understand the meaning. The artwork is gorgeous and really brings you into the time period of the depression. A beautiful, story about giving.

Thank you @netgalley for sending me an ARC of The Christmas List of Richard Lindsay in exchange of an honest review!
This is a sweet, meaningful old-style story about love and the joy of sharing at Christmas time.
A cross generation testimony to true Christmas and community spirit narrated through the beautiful illustrations of Dan Burr.

A heartwarming Christmas story based on the true story of a young boy growing up in the Great Depression who wanted to bring Christmas cheer to those around him.

Beautifully illustrated Christmas story about the joy of giving. I loved how young Richard's excitement in giving grew as Christmas grew nearer, as well as his thankfulness for what he had. I especially liked how his mother encouraged him to think of others.

A wonderful Christmastime read to share with the young people in your life about the joy of giving and family at Christmastime.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Set in the 1933 Depression the author shares a story of his father when he was a little boy. As Christmas approaches Richard worries about Christmas. His mother encourages him to think of the people he loves and how he can share Christmas with them. I thought the illustrations by Dan Burr were especially beautiful, giving a feel for the time period. It isn’t a religious story but does include a family prayer where thanks is given for the baby who brought Christmas to the world. Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for the temporary ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.

Authors note provides the background for this Depression era memory which the author's father told every year to his son. As Christmas 1933 approaches, Richard's Mom declines to take a free turkey because she feels they have everything they need--a fat red rooster. Mother also encourages her son to make a list of the people he loves, which he then took to the local mercantile and used his one dollar to buy one gift for everyone on his list. Richard found giving his gifts was more fulfilling than receiving, which is the theme of the story, and the book would be a good choice to demonstrate theme.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley for the digital arc.

Very cute story about a boy bringing Christmas to his friends and family during the great depression. One thing I always look for in children's books is the illustrations. The pictures in this book were lovely, and in the style of the 1930s. They provided a wonderful accompaniment to the story and are very well detailed to keep kids entertained. The story is also very nice and shows that when you have the love of family and friends it doesn't matter what we do or don't have at Christmas.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by netgalley, this review is my honest opinion.