This Is Christmas

by Tom Booth

From the author and illustrator of Night at the Stadium and Day at the Beach comes a modern holiday classic about a chipmunk who has to learn the true meaning of Christmas.

It is Christmas Eve and Little Chipmunk asks his mother, “What is Christmas, Mama?” His Mama tells him that Christmas is many things and as they walk together through the woods, Little Chipmunk sees badgers decorating their burrow with bright red berries, ducks exchanging holidays greetings on golden leaves, beetles carrying presents on their shiny backs, and geese singing in the winter sky. Each time he asks his mother if this is Christmas, and each time she answers, that yes, this is part of Christmas.

Night falls and Little Chipmunk and his Mama snuggle in to sleep. When he wakes up on Christmas morning, he is surprised by the wonderland that greets all the world is blanketed in deep snow. And, then, one by one, Chipmunk and his mother see the geese, the badgers, the ducks, and the beetles, as well as some new forest friends—all gathered to celebrate joy and friendship, beauty and wonder, love and kindness—all of what Christmas truly means.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime

38 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2018

About the author

Art director by day and author-illustrator by night, Tom Booth is a maker of acclaimed children’s books, including Don't Blink!, This Is Christmas, and Who Wins? He made his earliest marks — sometimes on his parents’ antique kitchen table — growing up in Pennsylvania. Now living in Brooklyn, New York, he is currently at work on several children’s books on a table all his own.

Reviews

[Nostalgia Reader]

Omg, this is too adorable and too gorgeously illustrated and too nostalgic for me, I cannot. Little Chipmunk had me from the dedication page.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little chipmunk wonders what Christmas really is in this sweet new holiday picture-book from author/illustrator Tom Booth. He asks his mother, as they travel around the forest, whether this and that thing - the presents carried by ladybugs, the carols sung by geese - are Christmas. Yes, she tells him, these are each part of it. But what is it, in total? The next morning, awakening to a snowy world and joining a diverse group of animals singing, he finds out...

Although I would imagine that more religious readers might contest the claim that this - the sense of communal good cheer and fellowship displayed by the animals in their singing - is what Christmas is, for other more secular readers, there is sure to be some appeal to Booth's This Is Christmas. The idea that gifts, carols, and decorations are part of the holiday, but not the holiday itself, is a welcome one. The artwork is cute, although a little too smoothly digital for my taste, and chipmunk makes for an appealing little animal hero. Recommended to more secular holiday celebrants looking for sweet animal-centered Christmas stories.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

A glimpse at nature in winter during the holiday season. Cute, vintage style illustrations with a more natural and simplistic approach to Christmas:the company of others, the beauty that surrounds us, the sounds, sights, tastes and smells and the act of giving.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the story in this book was just okay but it is a picture book and so I judged it on the pictures and I thought the art was wonderful.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Linus and Charlie Brown pondered the meaning of Christmas in the beloved Peanuts special. In Tom Booth's seasonal book a young squirrel asks the very same question. the answer is revealed by his mother and their forest friends.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the vintage styling and illustrations of this one, and our chippy protagonist is adorable. I was somewhat disappointed by the long-awaited answer to the question "what is Christmas?" but this was still a sweet, seasonal read.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about a little chipmunk trying to figure out what Christmas really means. I love the message that while there are lots of fun, wonderful traditions to celebrate around this season, the most important things are family and friends. I also thought the vintage style illustrations were cute.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is cute, though it has very little do with what Christmas actually is.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Christmas by Tom Booth. PICTURE BOOK. Aladdin (Simon), 2018. $18. 9781534410909

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A little chipmunk is wondering what Christmas is. While he wanders around the forest with his mother, he points out different things the animals are doing, wondering each time if that is what Christmas is about.

Booth’s illustrations are especially darling. He works hard to evoke the feeling of giving, sharing, and caring that makes up that part of Christmas. In the end, though, it feels more like a “Is this winter” sort of book.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story about many of the secular traditions attached to celebrating Christmas. A very gentle and uneventful story about the “doing” of Christmas. Chipmunk asks his mother to explain the meaning of Christmas and he watches other animals in the forest and how they celebrate. Ultimately, the reason for the season is enjoying a meal with family and friends. A good filler for a non religious Storytime but wouldn’t choose as a stand-alone for kids above age 3.

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet Christmas book! L called it "that Christmas book with the cute little animals" and that's pretty much exactly what it is. A little chipmunk observes animals doing various festive things and asks his mother if they mean Christmas. It ends with a message that Christmas=celebrating together with loved ones. The dialogue is cute enough, but it's the illustrations that really shine in this book. They're lovely. This is one I'd definitely consider adding to our collection.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little chipmunk asks their mother over and over again what Christmas is, and she tells them that they will know some day. We see the other animals decorating, sharing gifts, etc. Readers will enjoy the soft illustrations and the nature setting with the woodland animal cast. The book never explicitly says what Christmas is, so this can be interpreted differently for many families.

For: readers looking for a concept book about Christmas that opens discussion.

Possible red flags: feeling inquisitive; some patrons may not appreciate the lack of a religious message.

[Cornmaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, non-sectarian story about a chipmunk who learns what makes up Christmas, in terms of togetherness. Pastel, matte illustrations are delightful, and the chipmunk is adorable. Little kids will like this, and parents can always add their own insights about Christmas to the story.

[Dina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. If a student is looking for a book about Christmas, I predict they will like this book because many students just love the holidays; however, I am doubting they will love it. Best parts of the book include good illustrations, winter-themed Christmas book and the simple text.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that celebrates what Christmas is all about, community and family.

Advanced reader copy.

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my new favorite Christmas book. <3

[Annese · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet story about a little chipmunk learning about the meaning of Christmas. Beautiful illustrations.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story of what Christmas might be like for the animals in the forest with darling vintage-style illustrations.

[Bonnie Tesch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea but it would have worked much better with humans than anthropomorphized woodland animals.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story of what the meaning of Christmas might be to one little chipmunk.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas is what you make it.

[traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations with a vintage feel. Specifically about the feeling that Christmas brings, completely secular in nature.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really adorable pictures of forest animals as the chipmunk tries to figure out what Christmas is all about. Right up my alley with all the animals in the woods.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about how Christmas means spending time with friends and family. I liked how the chipmunk keeps asking "Is this Christmas?" to all the things they see.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming Christmas book.
The illustrations are amazing and beautiful, I wish I could add a picture of the beautiful pastel work.
I got this book on special at the bookstore-$10 well spent.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the beautiful illustrations and the simple message that there is more to Christmas than tinsel and all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday.

[Lupine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little Christmas story. Lovely illustrations.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas story!

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple sweet secular Christmas book for the very young. The illustrations are cute.