The Spirit of Christmas: A special gift to share each festive season

by 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 book that families will want to share year after year. (And readers will want to look for the Spirit of Christmas image that Nancy has hidden on every page!)

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Poetry, Juvenile

32 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Nancy Tillman created her first book, "On the Night You Were Born," to convey to children at an early and impressionable age, "You are the one and only ever you." Since then, Nancy has written and illustrated several bestselling books. She also illustrated It's Time to Sleep, My Love, with Eric Metaxas. Together, Nancy's books have sold in the millions. A former advertising executive, Tillman now writes and illustrates full-time.

Whether she is creating books that remind children of their own unique wonder, or teaching life lessons through an accident prone cat named Tumford, all of Nancy's books feature one important message. You are loved. She lives in Tualatin, Oregon.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/nancyt...

http://nancytillman.com

http://nancytillmanblog.com

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I like the illustrations and the board book format this not a book I would actually purchase. There's not really a story, it reads more like the inside of a greeting card. The words aren't bad, they are full of the "warm and fuzzy" tidings of the season but I, myself prefer an actual story. This is more of a gift/coffee table book in my estimation.

[Nikki Slezak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect. This is the book I pull out and beg my kids to read with me...even though they are “too old” for picture books...even though I somehow ran out of time during Christmas and ended up reading it around New Years...even though my voice cracks every time I read, “And so then, my darling, wherever you roam, may you always be safe. May you always come home.” Because it gets more and more real every year they get older. And that’s why I’ll likely beg them to read it with me well into their adulthood.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the children’s Christmas books I got from the library and somehow missed reading it before Christmas so decided to read it before returning to the library. This is a good story about having love in our Christmas. Also has beautiful illustrations.

[Rachel (books.glorious.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet Christmas book, great for sharing with kids and to use as a coffee table book. The audio has two short stories narrated by Jim Dale (who did the Harry Potter books) and music sung by a children’s choir 🎄

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice pictures, rhyming, a story about love for your child.

[Bern · Rating 4 out of 5]

04.12.2022 4 stars
Edit:
Packing up the Christmas read-alouds for next year made me think of this book. I got the chance to sit with it in peace and re-read, and when I say the point I couldn't initially find hit me, I was about in tears when the meaning dawned. This is a book about a parent whose child is not spending Christmas with them (perhaps they've grown and are doing their own things). It is a memory of Christmas highlights that revolved around cheer shared with a child. This book is a memo, saying you only have so many years with this wonder in your life. This is an ode to the magic of Christmas, in the eyes of a child, and for the parents who gets to create it. This book is for the parents to read with tears in their eyes whilst the kids crease their brows at the unusual style of illustration. At the end of the book, the kid will look puzzled and probably not ask for it to be read again.

21.12.2022 3 stars
My kid enjoyed finding the face of Christmas spirit on every page. I think the pictures were interesting to look at, but I'm not sure what the point of the story was. Maybe because it's so vague, we could read it a few more times and figure it out.

[Marilee · Rating 2 out of 5]

There really isn't much to this book. Someone said it's like reading a greeting card, and that about sums it up. There are a few verses of Christmas songs and a smattering of other things. It's fine if you're looking for something nostalgic, but otherwise not really worth picking up.

[Qwendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tillman’s gorgeous photoesque artwork gracefully supplements the text, which builds upon classic Christmas references. We embark upon our tale through a holiday napper, who “just nodded off, at a quarter past four, when the Spirit of Christmas stepped through my door.” Santa is alluded to, and arrives to “deck the halls, in tinsel and twinkles, and bright, shining balls”. The rhyming text continues with the addition of “jingle bells”, a “one-horse sleigh”, a “toy soldier band”, candy canes and marshmallows, carols, and beautifully appointed Christmas trees.

Tillman cleverly juxtaposes classic holiday messages with new images. A lion attends to the dove’s message about true Christmas spirit, while he nestles with a lamb. Among the gentle aspects of the season - silent snow, roads that lead to grandmother’s house, and Santa Claus – Tillman brings in “ten lords a-leaping and seven swans a-swimming” from the song “Twelve Days of Christmas”.

The Spirit of Christmas is largely a story of love, concluding with the real message of the holiday season. We gather to celebrate Christmas each year because of one child that was born on that day. The size of the Christmas tree, and the number of presents given or received are not important. The relationships we make, and the people we choose to celebrate Christmas with, overshadow holiday materialism. Christmas is about surrounding ourselves with loved ones, and drawing dear friends and family close together. The best Christmas present is the ability to spend time with those we love. Without beloved people to celebrate Christmas with, the holiday is an empty, meaningless experience.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently discovered this author and I LOVE her books. This book is so sweet. We have a tradition at Christmas time that we always give our best friends, whom all live away from us, a book (and buy one for our children to open Christmas Eve night as well). This is the book I chose this year. Several of our friends called to tell us how much they loved it and some even said it moved them to tears. My children LOVED the pictures and we spent several minutes on each page looking for the Spirit of Christmas hiding on each page. This is truly a gem. I reccomend it to anyone who has loved ones near or far, who, at Christmas time are close to their hearts.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spirit of Christmas was another Kohl's Cares find. I'll try not to gush, but I do love the Kohl's Cares program. This book came with an adorable plush lion, which represents the most striking illustration in this book. All of the artwork is truly beautiful, but the double pages containing the lion, lamb and dove and arresting in their simplicity and beauty.

The words for the book again came from a song, so they again read like a poem. The words are fine, and at time quite good; however this book with a lesser artist would not have worked nearly as well.

[Ashley Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely, positively my FAVORITE of Ms. Tillman's. I absolutely LOVE the message it sends. It speaks directly to the heart of a parent who longs for a child; this longing made all the more bitter by the holiday season. I think children will love the illustrations, especially finding the face of the "Spirit of Christmas" in each page. I also like that it includes lyrics from Christmas Carols. What a special book to share with your child! I can't wait to share it with mine!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the best children's Christmas book I have read in a long time. I am very fussy the story must be good AND the art work. This one is excellant in both cases. I would recommend this book in a heartbeat.

[Paws with a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gorgeous book was a gift from a friend for my little girl to get her and us in the festive spirit (like we needed any encouragement!!!!).

The story starts in much the same way as ‘Twas the Night before Christmas’ with two pairs of rhyming lines at a time and flows beautifully as it maintains this gentle pattern throughout.

The premise is the first person narrator being visited by the spirit of Christmas, and their journey towards understanding the true meaning of Christmas.

At times the illustrations feel a little dated, and I do think they could make them a little more child friendly, BUT when you get to the end it will instantly become a favourite of parents to read to their child.

I would highly recommend as a gift for any parents to read to their children in the lead up to Christmas. Or it would be equally lovely as a gift from parents to their older children. It’s just lovely.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.

This started out with a nice sentiment, but by the end, missed the mark. Yes, the secular traditions of the holiday are fun and nostalgic. This moves briefly into the Christian celebration of Christmas, but only in the most "tip toe" of allusions (just enough, really, to make both Christians and non-Christians wrinkle their noses, obviously for different reasons) and then veered quickly away. It wound up with a message of being with the ones you love for Christmas but even that bordered on centralizing on a single person being the pivot point of Christmas; I think maybe a broader focus on family or loved ones in general might have sat better with me. All of this, however, is not the true reason for just one star, which was: several of the illustrations creeped me right the heck out, namely the sparkly watching face and the marching band, both of which appear plucked right from my nightmares. Pass and hard pass for me.

[Kristi Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for the 2015 board book edition.

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS is a gorgeous book with amazing illustrations which incorporate a variety of Christmas carols. The original book was released in 2009 in a traditional size. This revised edition is presented in a board book format. Everything about the original text holds true to this version, just in a smaller scale. I’m not sure this version does the book justice in the text is geared toward an older audience than the typical board book reader. It is a gorgeous book with a beautiful message. Regardless of the format, this book should be available in all libraries for everyone to experience.

[Richard Sommers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet book with great illustrations. My kids especially like the illustration that contains all the elements of the 12 days of Christmas. We can spend a lot of time just on that page, reciting the whole song and pointing out each of the pieces.
I like that this book about a Christian holiday keeps organized religion subtly in the background while delivering a sweet message that appeals to readers of all beliefs (or lack of beliefs) and bring us all together in the spirit of the season and get us to think about what is most important for a happy holiday season.

[Sara Hollar · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author borders on Truth, but really just makes children think (more than they already do) that everything revolves around them.

So close: "That's when the Spirit of Christmas smiled. 'Remember, this all began with a child. Because it took nothing but love to begin it, it's not really Christmas if love isn't in it.' "

And then she fails miserably with the moral of this story is, "And that's when I got it. That's when I knew! The thing that was missing from Christmas was you!"

Disappointing.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story woven with a message that I think rings true for many people. The narrator feels that something is missing as the Christmas season begins, and the Spirit of Christmas reminds her of all the things that make up Christmas, from decorations and bells all the way to the child and the love that brought him into the world. She realizes it was love that was missing, love that gives meaning to the traditions that make Christmas special.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting from this audiobook, but it wasn't a poem and a handful of Christmas carols. It wasn't bad, but it was a bit hackneyed. The Night Before Christmas, while lovely, is not the most inspired or unique choice. And while I'm a huge fan of Christmas carols, the choir chosen to sing them for the audiobook wasn't my favorite.

I think, perhaps, this audiobook would work best for a child who is listening it as an accompaniment to the picture book.

[Teri Pre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you remember those old Firestone or Goodyear Christmas albums they used to give away? I listened to the audio book and it took me back to that happy place. Only about 20 minutes long. I wish it would have been a lot longer. I've read other reviews that say the book is beautiful. I'll be looking for it on my next trip to a bookstore.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christmas books! This one has beautiful illustrations, nostalgia galore, and a wonderful message of some of the most important things, events, and people that make Christmas special. It's a book I'll enjoy reading over and over to my littles and g'littles.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Illustrated by slightly creepy "photo-painting collages", I did enjoy the rhyme of this book. The message I am not so sure. To the narrator the "Spirit of Christmas" is not just society's take or the birth of Christ. It is ... her kid?. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are an appealing mix of realism and surrealism. The text couldn't quite decide if it wanted to have a rhythm/rhyme or not. While the message of the book was appealing the actual words didn't flow at times.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have liked this better had I read the physical picture book, rather than the audio version, complete with caroling choir.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for my son's daily reading time. This was an adorable read.

[Jamie Hug · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my Favorites!

[Sarah Stumphf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Reaffirms love for your child as you read it to them. Beautiful illustrations, and flowing verse.

[Marissa Meltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me cry every time I read it to my kids

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are stunning and the story is beautiful. The story is simple, sweet, and powerful. I admit I teared up.

[Clwseattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book, The Spirit of Christmas. If you don't get all teary reading it then you just might be 'Mr Grinch' and "Your heart's an empty hole" ;-)