The Christmas of the Reddle Moon

by J. Patrick Lewis

Lost in a snowstorm on an English heath on Christmas Eve, Liddy and Will meet the magical and mysterious Wee Mary Fever, who summons St. Nick himself to take them home.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

J. Patrick Lewis is the current Children's Poet Laureate. He has written more than seventy children's books, including Once Upon a Tomb: Gravely Humorous Verses. J. Patrick Lewis lives in Ohio.

Reviews

[Carolynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the past in England comes this story of Will and Liddy Yeobright, who are caught in a blinding snowstorm on Christmas Eve. Luckily the Reddlewoman (who sells a red clay called reddle to the sheep farmers to mark their sheep) and her fire colored cat find them and take them in. They are fearful that St. Nicholas will not find them, but the Reddlewoman works everything out to their satisfaction.

Beautifully illustrated and written, this little-known book should be a read-aloud classic in many families, especially those with English roots.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful Christmas story with beautiful art work! It is on the heaths of England many years ago. It is a story of legends and gossip and a cold winter's night with a touch of magic. Very well worth the read!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting lost on the heath on Christmas eve allow two children to find out the reddle peddlar is not a witch. Reddle is the red clay used to mark sheep in England. It said it is no longer practiced.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

from the Author's Note:
The heath in this story refers to a vast expanse of meadow or moorland once common in rural England. ... Reddle is the name of a red clay, dug from the ground, and sold to sheep farmers, who used it for marking sheep. ... The last reddle-seller died around 1920.

Thus, Lewis has kept alive a bit of cultural history and wrapped it in a Christmas tale. I just wish he had let the children linger on the heath for a page or two, thus developing a stronger sense of place.

[Todd Strader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware of losing your way in the moors on cold winter's night you might just encounter some magic... Christmas magic that is.
Gary Kelly's pictures perfectly convey the qualities of Lewis' narrative- a certain haunting feel filled with danger, mystery and magic. All placed in a charming old world setting.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I don't think of Lewis as a narrative picture book author very often, I really liked this one and I wish that it had wider readership. It's easily deserving of some accolades and Christmas time reading.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah story and a little too "wee beasties and faeries" for my Christmas tastes.

[Mattie Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite. Beautiful detail and imagery.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a magical tale from England about 100 years ago. The illustrations, created with pastels on paper, have an old fashioned look and enhance the magic of the story.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned something new (all about reddle & reddle dealers), and the story was sweet.