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Christmas Time
A cozy, visually rich celebration of Christmas to pore over
Readers are off to the North Pole in this brimming holiday treat. On each page, a deceptively simple item--stocking, snowman, reindeer--pulls readers into a nostalgic, exquisitely detailed moment of the yuletide journey: a trip in Santa's sleigh, supper with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, watching the elves hard at work, and finally arriving home in time for Christmas morning.
Secret clues, plus hidden allusions to classic Christmas carols, elevate this from a gorgeous book to an interactive holiday treasure hunt--a natural fit for the whole family at Christmastime.
Readers are off to the North Pole in this brimming holiday treat. On each page, a deceptively simple item--stocking, snowman, reindeer--pulls readers into a nostalgic, exquisitely detailed moment of the yuletide journey: a trip in Santa's sleigh, supper with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, watching the elves hard at work, and finally arriving home in time for Christmas morning.
Secret clues, plus hidden allusions to classic Christmas carols, elevate this from a gorgeous book to an interactive holiday treasure hunt--a natural fit for the whole family at Christmastime.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Alison Jay
116 books50 followersAlison Jay was born in Hertfordshire, grew up in Derbyshire and studied graphic design in London where she now lives. After graduating she worked in animation for a short while but gradually started to get commissions in illustration. She works in Alkyd a quick drying oil paint on paper and sometimes adds a crackle varnish to give the work an aged appearance. She has worked in all areas of illustration including
advertising ,packaging, editorial and design. Her commission's include a 48 sheet poster for B.T, a TV commercial for Kellogg's corn flakes and has recently illustrated the new baby range of products for Crabtree and Evelyn. She has also illustrated lots of children's books including 'Picture This', 'William and the night train','The Race', 'I
took the moon for a walk', 'The Emperors new clothes, If Kisses were colours, 'ABC Alphabet', an unabridged fully illustrated version of 'Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland',Listen Listen', 'Welcome to the Zoo', 'A Child's first Counting Book', 'Today is the Birthday of the World' and 'Nursery Rhyme Rainbow'. She recently worked with Aardman Animation on the development
of a feature film and is currently working on a version of 'The Nutcracker'.
Her book 'Welcome to the Zoo' which is a wordless visit to a cage less 'animal hotel' has been selected as one of New York's Bank Street's 2009 best
books of the year.
advertising ,packaging, editorial and design. Her commission's include a 48 sheet poster for B.T, a TV commercial for Kellogg's corn flakes and has recently illustrated the new baby range of products for Crabtree and Evelyn. She has also illustrated lots of children's books including 'Picture This', 'William and the night train','The Race', 'I
took the moon for a walk', 'The Emperors new clothes, If Kisses were colours, 'ABC Alphabet', an unabridged fully illustrated version of 'Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland',Listen Listen', 'Welcome to the Zoo', 'A Child's first Counting Book', 'Today is the Birthday of the World' and 'Nursery Rhyme Rainbow'. She recently worked with Aardman Animation on the development
of a feature film and is currently working on a version of 'The Nutcracker'.
Her book 'Welcome to the Zoo' which is a wordless visit to a cage less 'animal hotel' has been selected as one of New York's Bank Street's 2009 best
books of the year.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 17, 2018
At first glance, this looks like one of those boring toddler books that just labels pictures, one word per page, blah.
But Alison Jay made this book, so of course there's more to it. In each picture, you can spot the subject of the previous picture hiding somewhere. The last page gives hints of objects from Christmas carols hidden throughout the book.
And then of course there is Jay's signature crackly artwork, which is why I checked out this book from the library in the first place.
But Alison Jay made this book, so of course there's more to it. In each picture, you can spot the subject of the previous picture hiding somewhere. The last page gives hints of objects from Christmas carols hidden throughout the book.
And then of course there is Jay's signature crackly artwork, which is why I checked out this book from the library in the first place.
November 30, 2021
There's no story here, just some lovely Christmas pictures with hidden clues and links to some popular Christmas songs. Alison Jay's illustrations as usual are a treat!
December 21, 2021
Both a wordless story and a "first words" book, this is cute and fun.
On the first page, "Christmas Eve," there is a little mouse in his hole sleeping soundly while the children creep down the stairs. Ah, I said to myself. A nod to Clement Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." 🐁
I chuckled when I saw the page with the cat and dog holding something before the fire and "chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." sang through my mind. A few pages later, I spotted a partridge in a pear tree. But when I saw three ships in the distance, that was it. I had to go back to the beginning and check each page for a Christmas Carol reference. 🎶
Sure enough, there are all sorts of little gems hidden throughout the pictures, in true Alison Jay form. The neat crackly paintings with endearingly disproportionate characters are fun to study. Take your time with this one. 🎄
On the first page, "Christmas Eve," there is a little mouse in his hole sleeping soundly while the children creep down the stairs. Ah, I said to myself. A nod to Clement Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." 🐁
I chuckled when I saw the page with the cat and dog holding something before the fire and "chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." sang through my mind. A few pages later, I spotted a partridge in a pear tree. But when I saw three ships in the distance, that was it. I had to go back to the beginning and check each page for a Christmas Carol reference. 🎶
Sure enough, there are all sorts of little gems hidden throughout the pictures, in true Alison Jay form. The neat crackly paintings with endearingly disproportionate characters are fun to study. Take your time with this one. 🎄
January 4, 2013
When I first read Christmastime, I was quite taken in by the lovely illustrations because they reminded me of all the beautiful Christmas cards we used to get from relatives still living in England and Wales. But when I got to the last page, I realized there was more to this book that just an early reader/picture book about Christmas. In fact, it is an interactive book designed to familiarize kids with traditional symbols and treats of the Christmas season, to generate vocabulary building and to have fun trying to find the subtle clues and allusions to familiar Christmas songs.
But there is also a story line. Two children creep down the stairs on Christmas Eve and and find themselves flying off to the North Pole in Santa's sleigh. At the North Pole, they have Christmas dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, visit the workshop, see the elves and the lovely toys that they make. But don't worry, the kids make it home in time for Christmas morning and presents.
I really liked this book. It is a nice quiet story that encourages the reader to use his/her imagination to plump up the story. I also like that each illustration had a traditional feel to them and that they didn't give a commercial/materialistic feel to Christmas. Children get enough of that during the holiday season.
My only question was: would kids recognize the songs that the subtle clues and illusions refer to. But after thinking about it, I realized that this could be just another interactive aspect of the book. It could be fun to listen to the songs referred to and then try to recognize them later when they are playing somewhere - a sort of Name the Tune kind of game to play while shopping or doing other errands where there is Christmas music being piped in.
And finally, I really liked the technique Alison Jay used for the illustrations. For Christmastime, she used a quick drying oil paint and then adds a coat crackle varnish to give it an aged look and her palate was soft colors in simple illustrations giving it a folk art feel - ideal for Christmas, I thought.
Christmastime is sure to become a holiday favorite with young children for years to come.
This book is recommended for readers age 2+
This book was received from the publisher
But there is also a story line. Two children creep down the stairs on Christmas Eve and and find themselves flying off to the North Pole in Santa's sleigh. At the North Pole, they have Christmas dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, visit the workshop, see the elves and the lovely toys that they make. But don't worry, the kids make it home in time for Christmas morning and presents.
I really liked this book. It is a nice quiet story that encourages the reader to use his/her imagination to plump up the story. I also like that each illustration had a traditional feel to them and that they didn't give a commercial/materialistic feel to Christmas. Children get enough of that during the holiday season.
My only question was: would kids recognize the songs that the subtle clues and illusions refer to. But after thinking about it, I realized that this could be just another interactive aspect of the book. It could be fun to listen to the songs referred to and then try to recognize them later when they are playing somewhere - a sort of Name the Tune kind of game to play while shopping or doing other errands where there is Christmas music being piped in.
And finally, I really liked the technique Alison Jay used for the illustrations. For Christmastime, she used a quick drying oil paint and then adds a coat crackle varnish to give it an aged look and her palate was soft colors in simple illustrations giving it a folk art feel - ideal for Christmas, I thought.
Christmastime is sure to become a holiday favorite with young children for years to come.
This book is recommended for readers age 2+
This book was received from the publisher
November 16, 2022
This one is more for the tiny tots as it simply identifies Christmasy things. Fun illustrations.
Ages: 1 - 3
Cleanliness: Has Santa and elves.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
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Ages: 1 - 3
Cleanliness: Has Santa and elves.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
May 25, 2016
Very simple. Lovely pictures with lots to look at.
January 21, 2022
Her style of illustrations is so beautiful! I hadn't really appreciated until my dear child started talking about them and it encouraged me to look more closely. WE'll be looking for more of her books at our library!
January 28, 2018
1-2 words per page -- good for vocabulary development for a secular Christmas (does show Angel, but nothing else vaguely religious). Very big on Santa.
December 8, 2018
Beautifully illustrated. I think this would be a wonderful book to share with the whole family. I love the simplicity of the book. The added scavenger hunt is a bonus for the older ones.
December 15, 2018
I love this book!!! 📚
December 28, 2018
Never been a fan of the "crackle" illustrations
December 11, 2019
Sparse wording, but lovely pictures.
May 10, 2021
Beautiful
February 6, 2023
Will be perfect for my Ruby Sue next Christmas.
December 22, 2023
Fantastic artwork
September 4, 2025
This book was good, it talks bout the Christmas holiday and what people do during Christmas.
November 4, 2025
This is a sweet representation of all the sweet things that make up Christmas!
December 18, 2012
Oh, there is a surprise at the end. Just when you think that you have reached the end, there is a surprise that brings you right back to the first page and a treasure hunt, of sorts, has you looking at the illustrations in a completely different way.
Alison Jay brings the vocabulary of Christmas to your young child. Each word - mistletoe, stocking, toys, angel, etc. are accompanied by folk art drawings that bring the season to life. There is no storyline, just words and drawing and as I said, when you reach the end, there is a listing of Christmas songs that enhancements each drawing.
Alison Jay brings the vocabulary of Christmas to your young child. Each word - mistletoe, stocking, toys, angel, etc. are accompanied by folk art drawings that bring the season to life. There is no storyline, just words and drawing and as I said, when you reach the end, there is a listing of Christmas songs that enhancements each drawing.
December 30, 2012
A cozy, visually rich celebration of Christmas to pore over Readers are off to the North Pole in this brimming holiday treat. Readers will be pulled into a nostalgic, exquisitely detailed moment of the yuletide journey: a trip in Santa's sleigh, supper with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, watching the elves hard at work, and finally arriving home in time for Christmas morning. Secret clues, plus hidden allusions to classic Christmas carols, elevate this from a gorgeous book to an interactive holiday treasure hunt; a natural fit for the whole family at Christmastime.
January 24, 2013
A very simple christmas book, with only a few words on each page. Wonderful folk art style pictures make it a great holiday read aloud for the youngest audience. However, at the pack of the book there is an answer key so that older children can play spot the hidden reference to christmas songs when they look at the pictures.
December 25, 2015
This is a cute book with warm colors and pretty pictures.
Each page only has a word to a handful at most, but they seems to be key words that don't need a lot of explanation.
However my daughter being four, it is slightly on the too simple side for her.
What I do love is the list of Christmas songs in the back with clues hidden inside the illustrations on each page.
Each page only has a word to a handful at most, but they seems to be key words that don't need a lot of explanation.
However my daughter being four, it is slightly on the too simple side for her.
What I do love is the list of Christmas songs in the back with clues hidden inside the illustrations on each page.
November 8, 2012
A Christmas book displaying the sights and sounds of the season. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of this illustrator, but I liked that there are 20 Christmas song tie-ins in the pictures for readers to spot as they read.
November 26, 2013
A beautifully illustrated picture book that captures Christmas iconic symbols. Christmastime is an interactive book that leads readers, young and old, on an adventure to connect the hidden clues with traditional seasonal songs. A delight for the whole family.
November 10, 2012
The sights and sounds of Christmas with ties to classic holiday songs. Lovely illustrations.
December 5, 2012
Great for PSST and Toddler Tales...practicing sight words, or make each item, laminate, and allow kids to bring to board
December 17, 2012
Illustrations and single words present different aspects of Christmas, and the pictures hide links to Christmas songs and carols.
December 20, 2012
Cute picture book with stylized drawings and clues to different Christmas carols and songs. Fun for the entire family.
December 12, 2015
This picturebook has beautiful artwork. The kids and I had fun discussing the pictures. At the end we were delighted to find a fun surprise. This is a great book to read at Christmas.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews