A Houseful of Christmas

by Barbara M. Joosse, Betsy Lewin (Illustrator)

A traditional, heart-warming family Christmas celebration in the tradition of Cynthia Rylant's The Relatives Came.

Every Christmas, Granny's house is brim full of family and festive cheer--carols and presents and plenty of food, bows and gift wrap for Fat Cat to play with, and lots of company for Granny and her dog, Edgar.

This Christmas, snow starts to fall and it doesn't stop. Instead of going home, the whole family hunkers down for a cozy night in Granny's warm house.

Whhhhh went the wind,
but everyone was snug.
Shhhhhh went the snow,
but everyone was together.

Even during a blizzard, there's no place better than Granny's house for Christmas .

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

[Author also goes by the name Barbara Joosse.]

Barbara M. Joosse has written many books for children. Among them are Mama, Do You Love Me?, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee; and I Love You the Purplest, illustrated by Mary Whyte. She says, "When I was a little girl, I wished for two things — a best friend, and something so ferocious it would scare away the monsters under my bed. And so I have written Lovabye Dragon. I think maybe it’s for little me." Barbara Josse lives in Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christmas, Granny's hosts more than the usual full house. Thank you, blizzard.

I was very stuck by the pages with just a few lines of text. Poetic, in the style of haiku -- although not formally haiku. And here, the illustrations to go with the words only added to my sense of space and loving presence. For example:

To accompany the picture of Annie and Michael holding their baby, comforting him:

"Annie picked up Otto and held him close.
Michael rubbed his back.
No monsters could get Otto now."

FIVE STARS of appreciation and respect... for author Barbara M. Joosse and illustrator Betsy Lewin.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the joy of togetherness that this book celebrates. I also love how this book illustrates and celebrates that you don't need to have a big home to have the family over, that you don't need to have the perfect accommodations for each guest for people to be perfectly happy.

[Chrisanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cozy but not that new.

[Monika Kozlowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

[Danielle Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Granny is ready, the house is ready, the family is on the way! As someone who celebrates the holidays with a big family, I found this story highly relatable!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a grandma-type lady who always has her family over for the holidays--she makes the house full of Christmas by decorating and baking, but the house is truly filled with the holiday spirit when the family fills it (much to the dismay of Fat Cat, who would much rather hide behind the chair and avoid the fuss--though, the ribbons from the packages ARE a bit nice...) When a snow storm threatens, the family stays bundled up at Grandma's for the night. Who knew that the snores of aunties and uncles is as sweet as jingle bells!? ;-p

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favorite that we read during Advent. I love the story of a large family gathering at Christmastime and getting "snowed in" for a true "Houseful of Christmas"!
"Tick tick tick went the grandfather clock. Whhhhh went the wind. Shhhhh went the snow." These lines can be repeated during story time.
The illustrations are whimsical; I especially love how Granny is drawn and grumpy "Fat Cat". Charming story.

[Cws]

JH(C)Jos

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

An O.K. story.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this one. Being surrounded by your family is the best part of Christmas.