Queen of Christmas

Ann Estelle Stories

by Mary Engelbreit

Ann Estelle is very busy working on The List. The Queen of Christmas knows there's nothing more important! How else can she get all the things she really wants? As the Christmas countdown moves along, there's so much for the Queen to do! Sledding, baking, singing, trimming the tree . . . Ann Estelle wants to enjoy every minute. But will she manage to get The List finished in time for Santa? What's the lesson Ann Estelle really learns? Festive artwork, brimming with good cheer and cozy detail, invites readers into Ann Estelle's world as Mary Engelbreit tells an unforgettable, merry, and heartwarming Christmas story.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Friendship, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more.

Mary’s New York Times bestselling The Night Before Christmas is part of the holiday tradition for families across the country. Other beloved additions to a child’s first bookshelf are her New York Times bestselling Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose and Mary Engelbreit's Nursery Tales, which are perfect companions to this volume.

Reviews

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mary Engelbreit's books/illustrations! They are sheer pleasure to read because of the great stories in them (told by Ann Estelle, her grandmother, or so she says). The illustrations are so colorful, and there are so many things to look at on 2 pages!
This is about the "Queen of Christmas", who is Ann Estelle (of coarse!). When it was 7 days before Christmas, Ann Estelle found that the most important thing she kept thinking about was THE LIST...the very, VERY long one that had everything on it that she wanted for Christmas. The closer it came to Christmas Day she still kept adding things to her list...for example, when she was baking Christmas cookies with her mom, she decided she needed an apron of her own that fit her, so she added it to her list.
Christmas comes and goes with lots of excitement and Anne has learned an important thing. You can learn it too if you read this excellent book!

[Rose Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Estelle is working hard on her Christmas list, "A very, very long piece of paper ... writ[ing] every single solitary item she had ever wanted or could even imagine wanting at some later date." She had been working on the List since last Christmas. She was busy celebrating Christmas: baking cookies with her mother, sledding on her father's old wooden sled, ice skating with her grandmother, building a snowman and caroling with the neighbors . For everything she did, she added one more item to her list: an apron just her size, a new plastic sled, a red skating outfit with sparkles, new mittens and a piano. Then, she helps her family decorate the tree and forgets all about her list. She learns what is really important about Christmas.

Wonderful Engelbreit illustrations. Third- or fourth-grade reading level.

[Darlene Messenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful tale of the week prior to Christmas Day. Countdown with Ann Estelle as she add items to her wish list. As she enjoys festivities with family and friends the presents aren’t the focus anymore. What she receives is just perfect. Many takeaways in morality and teaching contentment to children. Includes two sheets of paper doll outfits and accessories for one doll.

[Nancy Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ann Estelle has a long list for Santa but will she get it finished by Christmas. Readers will share the joys of Christmas preparations along with Ann Estelle to discover something even more important than her list.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was full of Christmas! From its page borders to the text to the true meaning of Christmas. I enjoyed the illustrations and the color! The book shared an important message for young readers.

[Whitney Pittsenbarger · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 6 year old loves these books. I find the character to be spoiled and a bit annoying. But its cute enough not to bother me much.

[Tommy Schlosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me SO much of my oldest daughter.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ann Estelle has a long list for Santa that gets longer as she goes through preparations for Christmas but learns that presents are the least important part of the holiday. A lovely story for Christmas with Mary Engelbreit's signature illustrations.

[Shelly Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen of Christmas is one of those books that can be read every year (a few times if you'd like) without getting sick of it. Of course, the beautiful illustrations don't hurt there either.

Although the story is... well, it's one that I'd say is just a little above ok, the story along with the illustrations really make the book earn that five star rating. The little girl has one heck of a list, and the end sort of wraps that up. I won't give the end away so I'll just leave it there so you can read it for yourself. It's quite short, so you can do it! It's worth it regardless. The author does create a good character in Ann Estelle, in this book and the others she stars in, so you are always getting a terrific character with wonderful side friends and family.

This was a fun holiday book that I'm going to keep bringing out year after year.

[Cara Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and was so excited. I had never seen this in a book store which is crazy because I am very drawn to anything involving Mary Engelbreit. When I first started it I was worried that it was going to be the story of a selfish little girl, but it turned into a very pleasant surprise. The illustrations were absolutely beautiful. They added so much to the story. This would be a great story to read counting to Christmas. It is a great read a loud book. I loved it and the best part is there is one for every holiday. I plan on buying them all.

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite Ann Estelle's greediness and fantasies about all the things that would make her life better, she really is quite sweet, and this story is a heartwarming and enjoyable. The backward counting (7-6-5-4-3-2-1) is always fun for kids in stories leading up to a big event, and the sweet story and delightful illustrations are perfect. This book will definitely go to my younger daughter someday because Ann Estelle looks much like she did as a little girl (short blonde hair in a blunt cut, glasses, and just too cute for words).

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love this book. There are always a million things that could be done and something could always be better... it reminds us to keep it in check and just enjoy. Our book also came with paper dolls in the back, fun.

[Katrina Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from the school I was working at. They were handing them out as Christmas gifts. I read it to my children and found this book enchanting and the pictures blew me away. My daughter loves these type of books.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter Ella loves this book and all other Mary Engelbreit books. The stories are always cute & sweet. The the artwork is vintage looking and great! This one is here favorite out of the series because she just loves Christmas! :) She just loved the paper dolls that came with this book!

[Jennifer Hughes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Mary Engelbreit's illustrations, but this story of a selfish little girl who only thought of what she wanted to ask for for Christmas didn't work for me. I think my daughter liked it ok though.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, cute story that I got for Christmas for the kids!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story and good message about appreciating Christmas without obsessing about presents.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is on our Christmas Reading List Tradition! We love the cute illustrations. And there's a good message in it too!

[Brandi Streeval · Rating 5 out of 5]

read to my daughter very cute book

[Jasmine Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jasmine loved the illustrations in this book. :)

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Mary Engelbreit's illustrations. This is a great book on what matters for Christmas.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Mary Engelbreit's art, and this story is adorable and sweet. After counting down the days to Christmas and adding many things to The List, Ann Estelle discovers a wonderful thing.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice message of the true meaning of Christmas. Mary's illustrations are charming.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute

[Brian Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the words were really big and stuff, but I really liked the pictures. So did my son.

[Tiffeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book of Christmas that I read with my girls. We love it!