Just in Time for Christmas

by Louise Borden, Ted Lewin (Illustrator)

A celebration of the Christmas season features a family's century-old candy making tradition based on the author's own family stories. By the best-selling author of Caps, Hats, Socks, and Mittens and The Watching Game.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

There were already two Louises in my family when I was born: my mother and my grandmother, Nana, who lived with us when I was growing up. So early on, I was given the name Leezie. This is a name that my family still calls me. Years later, my niece was born and also named Louise. Then there were four of us with the same name! Louise is a fine name to have except that people often spell it incorrectly. Sometimes my mail is addressed to Louisa, or Louisie, or Lewis, or Lois. Leezie is also tough for people to spell. Names and their pronunciations have always interested me, so writing about a teacher named Mrs. Kempczinski was a natural thing for me to do.

I grew up in a house at the top of a steep street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the kind of street that is a big challenge when you are pedaling uphill on your bicycle. My two sisters and I used to ride our bikes down, down our street, and then to the local dimestore to buy candy bars or meet up with our friends. But coming home, we had to pedal up our long hill. (This was before mountain bikes!) Pedaling slowly up my street may be where I learned perseverance, something all writers need when they are working alone at their desks.

Writing picture books came much later—after studying history in college, getting married, and raising three children. Even though I didn't grow up to be a composer, I like to think that my picture books are almost songs because the sound of words and the poetry of my style are so important in the texts that I write. I work very hard at my desk, revising and revising and revising, trying to find just the right words that will be beautiful or fun to read.

Reviews

[M.M. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of one family's traditional Christmas gathering on a farm in Kentucky. It is never said but the (spoiler) Grandma is suffering the beginning stages of dementia. They gather together each year to make their family taffy.

The story is told from the point of view from a young man who looks to be middle school to young high school. I loved the colors of blue and gold for his jacket. Ironically, it was the same as when I was in high school, even the design of it. He struggles are apparent throughout the book and makes him not want to enjoy the festivities.

This book is wrapped up in life's feelings, some sadness, and happiness as well. It gives the reader a sense of belonging and yet a longing for things to stay the same.

One absolute plus to this book is the illustrations. They are beautiful and so well done that the reader feels like you are there.

I recommend this book as a good Christmas read 5 stars.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle

[Deb Bolen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story to my students many times during my teaching career. We even made a class recipe book called Traditional Recipes, which included my students’ favorite “traditional” family Christmas recipes.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love old family traditions.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

in time for Christmas
candy making, snow, and
our lost dog comes home

[Elsa DeGelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, lovely book.
It's a classic bedtime story read for our younger kids all year round.
There is a timelessness to the story and the illustrations, and most of the time when I'm reading it, there is the barest hint of a catch in my throat at the story's perfect resolution.
I have a few copies stashed away in my special reserve; our current one is becoming so love-worn that it's going to need replacing as the pages start to fall out.

[Kristalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book with a wonderfully simple and warm story about family and holiday traditions. Dawson chose this as his very first school library book to bring home, and I think the story and pictures explain why (even though he can't read it! The pictures must have convinced him to get it in the first place...) An 'advanced' picture book.

[Jessica Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about a big family who makes cream candy every year and looks forward to eating it for months before Christmas. This would be a good book to read to get children in the Christmas spirit. However, you would be to be sensitive to children to do not celebrate Christmas and maybe follow up with reading a generic story about the holidays.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice tale of Christmas warmth, family togetherness, and fond memories. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is simple, yet interesting. It's a good story to read to children before talking about family traditions, especially during the holidays.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sap for books about Christmas or family or traditions. This one has all three and it is based in one of my favorite places, Eastern Kentucky. I'll ahve to read the book again to figure out what the narrator's real name is, since his Great Gram never gets it right. Sweet, sweet book.

[Devon Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and atmosphere in this book. Reminds parent and child about the power of tradition and nostalgia.

[Cws]

HC-Bor

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Makes me homesick for walks in the woods, and pulling taffy with family, (not that I've ever done that)...and for dogs that get lost and then found.