Merry Christmas from Betsy

Betsy #11

by Carolyn Haywood

Here are ten Christmas stories about Betsy and her friends. Betsy's favorite present comes in a basket, how Betsy's sister got her name, Santa's childhood, a present with no shape, Billy's Christmas Tree Battle, special trees for Star and the birds and more.

Genres: Christmas, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Classics

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Carolyn Haywood was an American writer and illustrator of children’s books, best known for her beloved “Eddie” and “Betsy” series, which captured everyday childhood with warmth and authenticity. Raised in a supportive, middle-class Philadelphia family, she developed her artistic talents early, studying art and later working as a teacher, an experience that inspired her to write for young readers. After formal training in fine arts and travel in Europe, she worked on murals before turning fully to books. Her debut, “B” is for Betsy, appeared in 1939, launching a prolific career built on close observation of children’s lives and feelings, continuing for decades.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, entertaining stories for your early readers!

Betsy and her friends have all kinds of old-time fun over the holidays. From school plays, story time with Father, and a Christmas parade, it’s all delightful!

These stories are collected from the Betsy books. If you’re unfamiliar with the books, don’t worry. They can still be enjoyed by anyone not familiar with the series.

The chapters are short and there are enough illustrations to satisfy the curious.

Ages: 4 - 10

Cleanliness: Santa Claus is in several stories. Mentions fairies and dwarfs. Mentions Halloween. A couple bad attitudes that are corrected.

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[Selah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was devastated to realize that my children don't remember the Betsy books! So, I got this lovely Christmas compilation to read to them. I might have to read a few of my favorite Betsy books to the kids in 2018 (before they get too old for them!).

[Gina House · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟 Cute and Christmasy! This was my first time reading one of Carolyn Haywood's Betsy books and I enjoyed it. I think I would have liked these short Christmas vignettes even more if I'd read some of the books before this one (which I think is number 11 in the series). I would say that the writing is geared more towards younger readers of the middle grade genre. The words are simple and the sentences are short, so it was a quick read (though not quite as fun to read as an adult).

I'm glad to have this slim paperback book in my Christmas collection. I believe I'll read some of the earlier books in this series before giving Merry Christmas from Betsy another try next year. Perfect for young readers who are searching for a introduction to chapter books.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a collection of all the Christmas stories that have appeared in the Besty books, so if you've read them you don't really need to read this one. However, this would be great to read at Christmas time with your kids.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet little book - I've never read any of Carolyn Haywood's Betsy books before. I picked it up at work back in early December because it had the feelings of another childhood favorite (that I still love reading as an adult) The Jennifer Prize. I didn't realize it was short stories, but it was nice. It's aimed at a little younger group than The Jennifer Prize, but was written around the same time and has that same early century childhood feeling. I enjoyed it.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here are ten Christmas stories about Betsy and her friends. Betsy's favorite present comes in a basket, how Betsy's sister got her name, Santa's childhood, a present with no shape, Billy's Christmas Tree Battle, special trees for Star and the birds and more. Pictures are described. Ages 8-12

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to my son in December and we both enjoyed revisiting some Betsy stories, although maybe there were 1 or 2 chapters that were new? We've read all the books up to this point and I didn't remember a couple of them. Even though the rest (or all) were revisits it was still fun & festive to read leading up to Christmas.

[Stasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In almost every Betsy book, there seems to be a mention or chapter devoted to Christmas. This book compiles all of those into one. A really fun read! Lucy loved it too!

[Judy Tarver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this character Betsy in these childhood books. The author tells wonderful stories and the characters and stories are memorable. I read this book many times as a child.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Christmas story for young readers

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Thanksgiving was hardly over when Betsy and the rest of the children in the first grade began talking about Christmas.

Premise/plot: Merry Christmas From Betsy is a collection of the Christmas chapters from previous books in the Betsy series by Carolyn Haywood. The stories are sweet and charming and cute. The stories aren't all focused on Betsy either. Her younger sister, Star, who makes her arrival on Christmas Day as the "present that Betsy always wanted" is also a huge part of the book. Some stories focus on the anticipation of Christmas coming, others on Christmas Day itself. All are worth your time.

My thoughts: Really, really enjoyed this one! I haven't read all the Betsy books, but, the few I've read I've really enjoyed. I like spending time with Betsy, Star, their family, their friends.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking for these books everywhere and I am so glad to have finally found them! While my friends in elementary school were always checking out the more "popular" books in the library, I found myself coming back to this series again and again. I'm pretty sure I read every book in the series at least twice! I'm a little perturbed to discover that they've been re-released with a more modern cover, because I actually prefer the vintage look. Brings back so many memories and should I stumble across these somewhere, I may just have to read them again!

[Kellee Moye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honesty: I don't remember reading this book, but my mom read me all of the Betsy books and as we are discussing the holidays we are thinking about all of our favorite holiday reads and she brought this one up right away. I am giving it 5 stars because I loved all of the Betsy books when I was younger and I know I will reread them to my children one day.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite that I am currently rereading. I love the Betsy series of books by Carolyn Haywood because they have such a simple, innocence about them. The stories are about everyday life through the eyes of a child, and there is just something so wonderful about reading these books!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas stories, this will make a good read aloud during the holidays.

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rereading this was a visit to my life as a young reader. This series was my favorite!

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nostalgic crowd-pleaser--and very pleasing.