Christmas Around the World

by Lesley Sims

A short introduction to global Christmas celebrations

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Nonfiction

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Lesley dreamed of being a writer, but studied law as her mother insisted she had "something to fall back on". Since joining Usborne Publishing, she has written and edited hundreds of books, from funny rhyming stories to an award-winning history book. Nowadays, she is often found recording books, too, in Usborne's very own recording studio.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

So yes, for a general introduction to global Christmas traditions and customs (geared towards recently independent readers, probably from the ages of about six to eight years of age, depending on reading capability), Lesley Sims' Christmas Around the World does indeed do a pretty admirable job presenting SOME of the oh so many global yuletide joys and manners of celebrating the Christmas season in a clear, concise but nevertheless always descriptive enough fashion (British plumb puddings, German Christmas markets and the like, and with Sims also in Christmas Around the World relating some of the many stories regarding the patron saint of children, presenting a few of the many tales about St. Nicholas and the myriad of traditions associated with December 6th, with St. Nicholas' Day, and how in certain cultures, how in some countries, children actually receive their main Christmas presents on said day). Accompanied by Angelo Ruta's bright and descriptive illustrations, Christmas Around the World, while perhaps not extensive, is indeed intensive and informative enough for a general all-round introduction (and with Lesley Sims' clear writing style and that her presented narrative is also penned in a very large and thick font size making Christmas Around the World both easy enough for the above mentioned recently independent readers to tackle by themselves, and also of course a great choice as a quick read-aloud both at home and in a classroom setting).

However and that all having been said, I do have two main bones of contention with and regarding Christmas Around the World. For one, and even though I do realise that Christmas Around the World is geared primarily towards younger readers, I still do think that Sims should be including a bibliography, should have a list of works cited, as well as suggestions for further reading and research (for let's face it, Christmas Around the World does by necessity barely scratch the surface information wise, and thus it would in my opinion be a boon for there to also appear a list of supplemental research possibilities for both interested children and adults who might want and desire further Yuletide information and details). And for two, much more problematically (and also the main reason why Christmas Around the World is a high two star and not a three star book for me), I do have some major religious and historical issues with the fact that Lesley Sims when relating the legend that Martin Luther supposedly was the first to introduce the idea of decorating coniferous trees for Christmas (which in itself is likely untrue as well) simply claims that Luther was a German priest. For while Martin Luther indeed originally started out as a priest (and also a monk), he of course did not remain this but rejected Catholicism to become the father of the Protestant Reformation (and indeed, even in a simple illustrated chapter book on Christmas traditions geared towards young readers, that fact absolutely needs to be mentioned, in other words, it is simply not sufficient and in my opinion even bordering on the unacceptable for Sims to just mention in Christmas Around the World that Martin Luther was a priest and then leave it at that).

[Farah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple explanation on why Christmas is celebrated and how different certain countries celebrate it - the greetings, the pre Christmas preps and whatnots. A recipe for Christmas cookies was also included. Not too bad.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this opportunity to teach myself about other cultures around the world. The book is concise and in simple English, suitable to be read to very young children or for early readers to tackle themselves. There's a recipe at the end for Christmas cookies, to add a practical element.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Holland they celebrate Sinterklaas on December 5. Pakjesavond not on December 6 when it's his birthday because Sinterklaas goes back to Spain that day.

[Elisabeth Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. But some facts are not fully checked ? Example: shinnen omedeto.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as an adult who loves Christmas, I know that my daughter will love it too as she gets older. It talks about how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world and their traditions and what they eat. Plus is has stories about how Santa came about and recipes for Christmas dishes. Great book for Christmas.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple but interesting