I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Christmas is a lovely, calm, relaxing book to share with children to teach them/remind them of the true meaning of Christmas. This was such a lovely book and very easy to understand for little ones. This would make a good book for bedtime or even for a class story as there are plenty of places to stop and discuss things. The back of the book has a 2 page quick read of the birth of Jesus, a decoration recipe, a pretzel recipe, a quiz, and more. I may get a physical copy of this to read with my granddaughter this Christmas.

Perfect to celebrate the wonder and joy of Christmas. This wonderful book is all about the celebrating and the love of CHristmas. We follow with Charlie and his sisters as they get ready and enjoy the special day. We get to see what the family does before, during and even after that special day. We learn what things symbolize, traditions different families may have and why we celebrate Christmas. With added crafts, recipes and fun history we can find so much more to add to our own Christmas. The illustrations are so peacefully made and gives us that warm feeling for the season. Enjoy this with your family.

‘Christmas’ by Annette Whipple is a charming and festive book that captures the magic and traditions of the holiday season. It's a delightful read that offers both children and adults a warm and inviting journey into the heart of Christmas. The book balances educational content with fun, making it an enjoyable experience for the entire family. Whether exploring the origins of holiday customs or simply getting into the Christmas spirit, this book has something for everyone.

Plot: ★★★★☆
The plot is well-crafted, taking readers through the various aspects of Christmas, from its historical roots to modern-day celebrations. The story is structured in a way that is both informative and entertaining, offering tidbits of knowledge that are sure to intrigue young minds. The narrative flows smoothly, making it easy for readers to follow along and stay engaged.

Character: ★★★★☆
While the book doesn’t centre on specific characters in the traditional sense, it introduces readers to various figures associated with Christmas. These elements are presented in a way that feels familiar and comforting, adding a layer of warmth to the overall experience. The characters serve more as guides, helping to bring the festive season to life.

Illustrations: ★★★★☆
The illustrations are vibrant and full of holiday cheer, perfectly complementing the book's theme. Each page is adorned with colourful and detailed artwork that brings the text to life, making it even more engaging for young readers. The festive imagery captures the essence of Christmas, from twinkling lights to cozy winter scenes, and adds to the book's overall appeal.

Engagement: ★★★★☆
‘Christmas’ does an excellent job of keeping readers engaged from beginning to end. The combination of informative content, engaging illustrations, and a festive atmosphere makes it a book that children will want to explore repeatedly. The pacing is just right, allowing readers to absorb the information without feeling overwhelmed, while the interactive elements encourage curiosity and further exploration.

Readability: ★★★★☆
The language used in the book is simple and accessible, making it suitable for young readers. The text is clear and concise, with a friendly tone that invites readers into the world of Christmas. The readability of this book makes it an excellent choice for family read-aloud sessions or for children to enjoy on their own.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
This book is a joyful and heartwarming read that captures the spirit of Christmas in a way that is both educational and fun. It’s the kind of book that can become a family tradition, revisited each year as the holiday season approaches. The combination of engaging content and beautiful illustrations ensures that ‘Christmas’ will be a favourite for years to come.


‘Christmas’ by Annette Whipple is a delightful exploration of the holiday season that balances education and entertainment beautifully. With its engaging content, charming illustrations, and festive atmosphere, it’s a book that will appeal to both children and adults. Whether you're looking to learn more about Christmas traditions or simply get into the holiday spirit, this book is a wonderful addition to any family's collection.

Book Review: Christmas (Celebrations & Festivals) by Annette Whipple with Emma Randall (Illustrator)

Rating: 5 Stars

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with Christmas (Celebrations & Festivals) by Annette Whipple? This book was an utter delight from start to finish! Many parents are always on the lookout for fun and educational reads to add to their children's holiday library, and this one definitely checks all the boxes.

The story follows Charlie and his adorable sisters, Emily and Lou, as they invite us into their home to celebrate Christmas. Right from the get-go, you’re swept into their festive activities—lighting the advent wreath, playing with their nativity set, baking cookies (yum!), and of course, the excitement of opening presents on Christmas morning. What I loved most was how the book beautifully captures the essence of Christmas through the eyes of these children. It’s like you’re experiencing their joy and anticipation right alongside them!

The book doesn’t just skim the surface; it dives deep into the true meaning of the holiday. It educates little ones about the significance of advent, the heartwarming Christmas story, and all those fun traditions like decorating the tree and exchanging gifts. The illustrations by Emma Randall are absolutely vibrant and fun, making every page a visual treat!

But wait, there’s more! The end of the book is jam-packed with extra goodies—there’s a quiz to test your Christmas knowledge, information about how Christmas is celebrated around the world, and even some tasty recipes! I can’t wait to try making those pretzel sticks. Plus, there are instructions for crafting your own Christmas tree ornaments and building a nativity scene. Talk about a hands-on holiday experience!

Honestly, this book is a perfect gift for any family looking to add some holiday spirit to their young ones' library. It’s not just a story; it’s an entire experience that brings the joy and excitement of Christmas alive in such a captivating way. So if you’re in search of something special this season, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Christmas (Celebrations & Festivals). Your little ones will thank you! 🎄❤️

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

A lovely little book about Christmas traditions and the ways one family celebrates different elements of Christmas.

This book is so cute. The illustrations are beautiful. I think this would be a great book to read top teach younger children about how different families and countries celebrate Christmas

I thought that the book really had it all - it has the history of Christmas and the way that this is celebrated throughout the world with different traditions.

It is a great read for children and my daughter was really interested to find out more about it.

This was not only an easy read, it was fun, and informative, she loved it and for me as a parent that makes it a big hit - we loved the illustrations too - they worked brilliantly with the book.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

A fun and festive read for Advent and Christmas. Readers follow an endearing family as they prepare for and celebrate the holidays with joy and gratitude. Many valuable lessons are shared such as, the importance of helping others and loving one another. Holiday traditions from around the world are also included. Cozy illustrations complement this heartwarming story. Highly recommend for young readers and their families.

A delightful book to teach children all about Christmas. It nicely blends the religious story of Christmas into the story of the young boy celebrating Christmas with his family, friends and community. The book contains a lovely and realistic family dynamic and details various Christmas traditions, bringing back great memories of being a child at Christmas time. Educational and fun, with facts and activities at the end, it gave me some great ideas to start some family traditions of my own. Thank you to NetGalley/the publisher/author for this eARC.

This book is a must for teaching the true meaning of Christmas to small children! I love the activities at the end to do as a family and will be implementing some into our holiday season!

I am presuming this is the same series as ‘Hannukah’ and really hoping that more are brought out for different celebrations as they are fabulous. A lovely way for children to share and learn about different religions and cultures.

An account of the festive month from a child brought up very religiously – so here are advent candles, not chocolates, reminders of the Gifts of the Magi as well as how presents are shared today, a trip to the homeless shelter to play with their kids… It is a potentially cloyingly all-enveloping story, featuring every stereotypical part of a religious Christmas and delivering it in due order, with a long wait for the book to consider any alternative (a brief look at other Christmases of the world in the more educational end-matter). But then, with the very un-search-engine-friendly title, you'd expect nothing less than the definitive look at the occasion. It's friendly enough, and it looks fine, but will rile secular readers, and probably annoy teachers who have to then counter this with books for all the other religions. If you want something that focuses on what is but one side of the story, as far as modern Christmases go, this is probably the one, however.

Tis the season to be sharing and giving! The book addresses the reason for the season and many of the ways it is celebrated. There are some home crafts at the end to do together.
The illustrations by Emma Randall are fun, clear, and delightfully colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to EVERYONE, but especially to a school, hospital, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group | words & pictures via NetGalley. Thank you! Avail Oct 01, 2024

If you’re looking for a sweet and colorful way to share the meaning and spirit of Christmas with your youngster, then Christmas by Annette Whipple is the perfect choice.

Told from Charlie’s point of view, this story shares one family’s Christmas traditions, like lighting the Advent wreath, making treats to share, driving to the tree farm, volunteering at the shelter, going to church, and reading the Christmas story from the Bible. Whipple has put together a delightful story that shares the joy of faith, family, and community. The vibrant and fun illustrations by Emma Randall will have little ones turning page after page to see what this family is up to next during the Christmas season. The story is followed by additional resources and activities to continue the reader’s enjoyment.

Christmas is a picture book you will want to take out and read time and again. Highly recommended!

I love everything about this book! It is such a great balance between the true meaning of Christmas and more secular, but still very meaningful, traditions of Christmas. This is real life presented here! So many Christmas books are either\or, while this book shows how a typical Christian family celebrates - Nativity, Advent wreath, Christmas tree, Santa, stockings, gift-giving, helping the less fortunate, baking, visiting and more.
This book would be great for families with young children. The delightful illustrations and the precious narration from a child's viewpoint will have a wide appeal.
Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the Advance Copy to preview. It was a pleasure!

This was such a cute and informative story. The illustrations were adorable! It is a great resource for parents if they want to introduce kids to the meaning behind Christmas. Kids tend to get curious about the true meaning of Christmas and this has the perfect explanation that they will understand.

I definitely recommend this one to parents but I just want to give a little warning that this story involves religion.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

This book was pretty good! The art is lovely, matching the Christmas mood well. I love how it's both informative but also cute in showing Christmas festivities. I enjoyed the fact that crafts are added at the end, which kids can also follow!

a children's book about the celebration of Christmas in the family of Charlie and his family and the way they celebrate Christmas. Making the scene of the birth of Jesus, making cakes, making decorations for the Christmas tree With this book it is nice to be a parent and a child and to enjoy Christmas together!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title.

Annette Whipple’s Christmas is a delightful and educational exploration of the holiday season. Through its engaging text and vibrant illustrations, the book provides young readers with a rich understanding of Christmas traditions, history, and cultural significance

Christmas by Annette Whipple
Illustrated by Emma Randall

A story all about how and why an American family celebrate Christmas. The family share their traditions and why they are important to them.
At the end of the book is a lovely section giving further information about why Christian's celebrate Christmas and traditions around the world.