Mary Engelbreit's A Merry Little Christmas: Great for Holiday and Christmas Reading or Gifting

by Mary Engelbreit

In a tiny little village blanketed with snow, Gregory Mouse is ready to ring in the holidays! This adorable fellow, whom readers may recognize from Mary Engelbreit's The Night Before Christmas , shares Christmas carols, sleigh rides, and gingerbread houses with his family and all the friends they've made in their new woodland home. As Christmas Eve draws near, they welcome readers to join them in celebrating the joys of the season. Starting with the angel atop the family tree, this playful Christmas alphabet is Mary Engelbreit at her exuberant best.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 2006

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

[Kathryn]

Sooooo cute! Love this adorable mouse family and all their activities as they prepare together for Christmas. Brims with warmth and cheer. The illustrations are full of charming details. One of my favorites this year!

[Melki]

Take a very merry trip through the alphabet as Mary's little family of mice celebrates a happy Christmas . . . all written in rhyme, no less. Cheerful, adorable, and super-duper Christmassy!

[Karissa]

So cute! I love the cheerful mice in the illustrations. Fun rhymes related to each letter of the alphabet that show all the zillions of ways that the Christmas season can bring cheer. I can think of a few Scrooges in my life that a reading of this would do them some good.

[writer...]

Colourful and creative Christmas themed, both illustrations and alphabet rhymes are an A-Z celebration. Lovely gift book.

[Lauren Kramer-Theuerkauf]

In Mary Engelbreit's A Merry Little Christmas: Celebrate From A to Z, she guides children through the alphabet via a family of mice who are preparing for Christmas. Each letter has a connection to something dealing with the most wonderful time of the year. This is anything but your typical concept book.

Engelbreit brings the alphabet to life with her gorgeous and well-known illustrations. The pages are bursting with adorable characters and magical winter scenes. Children will delight in counting down to Christmas with the woodland creatures.

Her rhymes for each letter are absolutely charming and original. Engelbreit keeps things fresh by alternating the focus from the alphabet letter to the illustrations on each page. This held as well as peaked my interest.

Overall, this is a wonderfully festive read for children ages 3-8.

[Rose Rosetree]

*** Is it possible to have too many Christmas picture books?

*** Is it remotely possible to have too many Christmas picture books by Mary Engelbreit?

The answer may be in the eyes (and budget) of the beholder.

LOOK

A dear friend of mine has been known to lavishly Christmas trees every year. Five of them every year, actually.

I LOOK ON THIS MARY BOOK WITH AFFECTION

No picture book could be more beautifully decorated than this one. Besides, if you're feeling the least bit guilty about adding this title to your reading list -- or even your family bookshelves -- there's this. The theme is alphabetical.

Educational, folks. The picture book is downright educational.

That's why I'm giving this book FIVE STARS.
Okay, education plus the irresistible illustrations by Mary Engelbreit.

[Allison]

Lovely and whimsical Mary Engelbreit illustrations with pages of simple crafts and recipes that celebrate the Christmas and holidays that occur during the winter season. Inspired a Valentine's Day wreath.

[Carynpayzant]

A Darling Christmas Story

I love Christmas mice and Mary Englbreit illustrations so this book is a win-win for reading to the grandchildren during the holidays.

[Ashton]

This is a really cute ABC formatted book that paints really sweet pictures of Christmas using letters have the alphabet. The pictures are amazing as always, I quite loved it.

[Amy]

A little too much about gifts and Santa for my taste - repetitive. Wish it covered a broader scope.

[Viviane Elbee]

A rhyming A-Z book with Christmas as its theme. The vintage illustrations are wonderful, and the kids enjoyed this book.

[Lynn Davidson]

This delightful and brightly illustrated rhyming story is warm and happy as a family of mice celebrate Christmas through the alphabet. Stunning!

[Ryan]

A fun rhyming story that uses the alphabet to seek the magic and love of the holidays.
#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +26

[Caroline]

My two-year-old niece loved this board book. I always enjoy Mary Engelbreit's books!

[Jamie]

Fun read aloud for primary.

[Norkett]

Always amazingly illustrated, Mary and the creativity with each letter is amazing! So festive and the images are so enjoyable. We lingered on each page so as not to miss any of the cuteness.

[Molly]

A solid choice for a young one around Christmas. Cute illustrations.

[Emily]

Everything she writes is darling. My toddlers are very into ABC's as well as Christmas, so they loved each and every page.

[Rose Anderson]

Engelbreit celebrates Christmas with her wonderful drawings this time of mice. One page for each letter of the alphabet.

[LaSheba Baker]

Super cute! The ABCs of Christmas in a fun rhyming prose with lovely holiday illustrations.🎄🐭💕

[Kristen Cunningham]

Quinn is obsessed with this book right now. I love the writing and illustrations.

When we were at my sister in law’s house, and she was decorating for Christmas, she took out the seasonal books and my niece saw this one and she told us this is her favorite. She explained that she and her Dad like to pick their favorite village on the page for the letter “V”.

That memory was too cute for me to not immediately order a copy for Q.

[Jennifer Wardrip]

Reviewed by Me for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

Mary Engelbreit's A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS has quickly become my children's favorite holiday book. An A-to-Z story covering everything from angels to letters to Santa to a zillion ways that Christmas brings cheer, this is a wonderful story for either a beginning reader or any child at heart.

With absolutely beautiful illustrations and a rhyming storyline, A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS is a wonderful addition to any home library--or a perfect present for the child on your gift list. It's sure to please and bring a smile to the face of anyone who receives it; the fact that it's so cheerful will only add to your own holiday spirit!

[Kathleen Hiler]

This book is outstanding! It clearly catches the attention of anyone who sees its vibrant color graphics. It captures the heart of any small child..even the child in the heart of grown-ups.It saturates the senses to take a child into a beautiful world full of peace and color and fun to make the learning of the alphabet memorable.

[Pam]

Love the illustrations in this one, and especially like it when A reads it to us all! (Plus we played "name that word" I can name that word in 4 letters, Joey can name it in 3 letters.) 12/13/13

12/16/14 The girls were so excited when we pulled this out this year! I like it, but don't love it, go figure.

[Rosa Cline]

The illustrations were absolutely wonderful in this charming Christmas book! The text was creative and unique, different than the traditional Christmas ABC's that is in most books. I read this outloud to my two teen age special needs children and they both loved the illustrations and would giggle or smile at the text. Very nicely done.

[Becky]

Read aloud this time to 2 grandsons. The youngest enjoyed the colorful (and charming) illustrations and the 5 year old was captivated by the alphabet and the images that went along with each letter. Very enjoyable.

[Jessica]

Very cute Christmas Alphabet book. But then, I just love all of Mary Engelbreit's drawings! :)

[571]

Age 3-8 BK/ PreSchool-Grade 3 SLJ
beautiful illustrations and alphabet ryhmes

[Bridget R. Wilson]

Love her illustrations!

[Stephanie]

Cute story. Great Illustrations.