The Christmas Party

by Adrienne Adams

Orson Abbot helps a group of younger rabbits organize a surprise Christmas party for their parents.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1978

About the author

Adrienne Adams (February 10, 1906 - December 3, 2002) was a children's book illustrator. She won two Caldecott Honors (in 1960 and 1962) and in 1973 she was awarded the Rutgers Award for overall contributions to children’s literature. In 1977, she won a University of Southern Mississippi Medallion.

She was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and grew up in Oklahoma She obtained a BA at Stephens College (who awarded her the Alumnae Achievement Award in 1964) then attended the University of Missouri and moved to New York in 1929 to study at the American School of Design and until 1949 she was a free-lance designer of displays, murals, textiles, greeting cards etc. She married children's book writer John Anderson in 1935 and in 1942 illustrated one of his books Bag of Smoke to begin her career as an illustrator becoming full-time in 1952. In total she illustrated more than 30 books, from contemporary authors such as Rumer Godden, Irwin Shapiro and Aileen Fisher to the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm.

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed emotions from this book. During the actual party it was a page turner but the ending fell a little flat.. It was still interesting and very character driven.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore the illustrations; my mother read this book to me when I was very young and I only recently re-found it, but the pictures have stayed in my mind in the decades since! The story was amusing but lacked the sparkle of The Easter Egg Artists.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, the illustrations are sweet. The Abbott rabbits are a nice bunch. Ms Adams always manages to get a moral or two in her stories. I just wish they didn't feel so forced. Hanging Easter eggs on a Christmas tree reminds me of the gorgeous Faberge eggs that are sometimes hung on trees.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the Easter Egg Artists when I was a child. I was delighted to find this gem recently. I am looking up other books by Adrienne Adams now, ans wish I had found her other works earlier.

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Christmas reads each year!

[Martha Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well....I can't imagine why readers are so critical of this book. The story is basic good will to others, the art is delightful and the bunnies couldn't be cuter. This book is into its 2nd generation with my family and we greet it like an old friend every Christmas season. Just had to pay top dollar for a hard back copy for a family with 2 little boys. I hope it becomes one of their favorites too.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this story, rabbits throw a surprise Christmas party. There were some things I didn't care for:

1.) A rabbit gets a Santa suit to dress as Santa. Thanks for spoiling the secret!
2.) This book dates from 1978 and twice uses the word "pad" to refer to a house. It seems like such an outdated term.

I think there was one other thing I didn't like, but I can't remember it now.

[Cws]

HC-ADA