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Always Together at Christmas
Help children discover the joy of Christmas 2020 with this timely picture book that affirms the special magic of the holidays even if we're physically separated from our loved ones!
Christmas will always mean love.
Even if love looks a little different this year.
As families and communities come together--and stay apart--in creative ways this holiday season, bring comfort and joy to children with this story about a Christmas like no other.
Always Together at Christmas highlights different family traditions and the ways they're changing in 2020: from Santa's elves practicing social distancing to opening presents via Zoom on Christmas morning. And it even includes ideas for new quarantine-appropriate Christmas traditions!
The sweet and cozy illustrations add classic touches, making this book the perfect gift to share with family and friends from across the miles.
Christmas will always mean love.
Even if love looks a little different this year.
As families and communities come together--and stay apart--in creative ways this holiday season, bring comfort and joy to children with this story about a Christmas like no other.
Always Together at Christmas highlights different family traditions and the ways they're changing in 2020: from Santa's elves practicing social distancing to opening presents via Zoom on Christmas morning. And it even includes ideas for new quarantine-appropriate Christmas traditions!
The sweet and cozy illustrations add classic touches, making this book the perfect gift to share with family and friends from across the miles.
32 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2020
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 15, 2020
Cute short story. I love the illustrations the most.
November 7, 2020
3.5 stars Review to come.
December 8, 2020
Written with 2020 in mind, Always Together at Christmas by Sara Sargent & illustrated by Mark Chambers is the perfect book to gift, share, and read with your loved ones this holiday season.
This beautifully illustrated book tells a simple but important message: that we're always together at Christmas, even if we're far apart. That it doesn't matter how you celebrate; that the real magic and love is always there. Celebrations may look different this year, but that doesn't make them any less special.
Approaching the holiday season this year has been hard for pretty much everyone, I'd say. It's been especially challenging for my husband & I, as this isn't how we ever envisioned celebrating our twins' first Christmas. But as this book says, we're still together with our families, even if we're physically apart.
Always Together at Christmas is a good reminder to celebrate the season, and cherish your loved ones, no matter the distance between you. And it's an excellent way to talk to your young kids about why Christmas looks a little different this year -- and maybe even a good reminder for some of the grown-ups in your life, who don't want to let go of their traditions, even if it's the smart, safe, responsible thing to do. (Because the best thing you can do for yourself, your families, and your community, is to STAY HOME this holiday season!)
And for only $7.99, the book is quite affordable. Buy one for all the kiddos in your family! Consider a family read-along via Skype, Facetime or Zoom. In fact, the last two pages of the book even include a list of ideas and ways to celebrate safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This beautifully illustrated book tells a simple but important message: that we're always together at Christmas, even if we're far apart. That it doesn't matter how you celebrate; that the real magic and love is always there. Celebrations may look different this year, but that doesn't make them any less special.
Approaching the holiday season this year has been hard for pretty much everyone, I'd say. It's been especially challenging for my husband & I, as this isn't how we ever envisioned celebrating our twins' first Christmas. But as this book says, we're still together with our families, even if we're physically apart.
Always Together at Christmas is a good reminder to celebrate the season, and cherish your loved ones, no matter the distance between you. And it's an excellent way to talk to your young kids about why Christmas looks a little different this year -- and maybe even a good reminder for some of the grown-ups in your life, who don't want to let go of their traditions, even if it's the smart, safe, responsible thing to do. (Because the best thing you can do for yourself, your families, and your community, is to STAY HOME this holiday season!)
And for only $7.99, the book is quite affordable. Buy one for all the kiddos in your family! Consider a family read-along via Skype, Facetime or Zoom. In fact, the last two pages of the book even include a list of ideas and ways to celebrate safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
January 17, 2021
To see some pictures I was supplied with of the book, please visit my blog - Bookmarks and Stages https://BookmarksandStages.home.blog
The first thing that strikes me is the big, bold illustrations and the short sentence per page. This has curve appeal to young children. It is festive with snowy scenes. It is uplifting and caring and shares a way forward in the spirit of fun. Children will most certainly be able to relate to every scene in the book. It illustrates in an easy to follow map how things could feel different this year, before showing that it will all be okay in the end. Santa will still appear, there can still be a Christmas tree and gifts and new traditions forged.
The book concludes with some lovely ideas for families to do from the virtual and physical worlds that are designed for some 'safe' fun.
This is a beautiful, quick and easy book that parents, teachers, children can all look at and read and relate to in a way that can reassure children who are concerned what Christmas will be like in 2020, in a calm and joyful, hopeful way.
The first thing that strikes me is the big, bold illustrations and the short sentence per page. This has curve appeal to young children. It is festive with snowy scenes. It is uplifting and caring and shares a way forward in the spirit of fun. Children will most certainly be able to relate to every scene in the book. It illustrates in an easy to follow map how things could feel different this year, before showing that it will all be okay in the end. Santa will still appear, there can still be a Christmas tree and gifts and new traditions forged.
The book concludes with some lovely ideas for families to do from the virtual and physical worlds that are designed for some 'safe' fun.
This is a beautiful, quick and easy book that parents, teachers, children can all look at and read and relate to in a way that can reassure children who are concerned what Christmas will be like in 2020, in a calm and joyful, hopeful way.
December 28, 2020
Although this picture book doesn't mention COVID-19 or the pandemic currently plaguing the world, it does point out that the holidays aren't quite the same this year (2020) as they have been in the past. Nevertheless, Christmas has the same meaning as it always has even with social distancing. It's a time to celebrate family, generosity, and joy. It always offers a chance to be creative in coming up with new holiday traditions and giving thanks for blessings. While some families will be able to be together on Christmas, many others will not, and the book provides simple but helpful suggestions for how to make the holiday special. Why not host your own Christmas concert, make ornaments or even create an Advent calendar? And if you're really on the ball, you can get started on these projects for next Christmas. This is an uplifting book that reminds readers that they can make the best of a challenging situation.
December 2, 2020
This is a very timely book, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many families have gotten together via Zoom or similar calling feature, which is showcased in this book. There are a diverse range of families (including a child in a wheelchair) and Santa & his elves are even wearing masks. Santa even appears with dark skin on a few pages. I also like the suggestions of new traditions at the back of the book and I like the page with ornaments that featured photos of family members. I highly recommend this title. It would be a great gift for anyone who has young family far away and would be great for reading virtually. Thank you to Random House for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
December 9, 2020
This was a great book for children and families to show that even though this Christmas may seem a little different this year because they may not be able to be together it can still be wonderful. I think with 2020 we have been conditioned to think the worst about this year, but this book challenges us to look at Christmas a little different. While only the Christmas holiday is represented in this book there are multiple races and preferences represented. Also it does promote mask wearing as seen by the Santas and characters. The illustrations are nice.
As a side note there are fun activities that would be easy for each family to do and help start new traditions.
As a side note there are fun activities that would be easy for each family to do and help start new traditions.
January 9, 2021
This is a cute children's picture book. Every year there are families that can't be together during the holidays - military personnel serving overseas, illness and age, and cost of travel can also keep us apart. This year it was more widespread but I think the message and the list of ideas in the back could be applicable in future years as well.
The artwork is lovely and I appreciated the diversity pictured.
Read my full review at Girl Who Reads
The artwork is lovely and I appreciated the diversity pictured.
Read my full review at Girl Who Reads
December 3, 2020
There are a bunch of families that will be grateful to see this representing the holidays of 2020. I'm guessing it was rushed to market (written by an editor for the publishing house) but it would've been great if it hadn't been just about CHRISTMAS. The Jewish high holidays, Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah -- there were plenty of other celebrations that took place among families over Zoom this year.
May 16, 2021
So cute. Loved the Zoom pic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2022
Nice book featuring the ways we can all celebrate the holidays in the pandemic and beyond. Recommended for Grades K-5.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews