Joy to the World: Christmas Legends

by Ruth Sawyer, Trina Schart Hyman (Illustrator)

Six Christmas stories gathered by Ruth Sawyer appear here for the first time in book form, with one exception. "This Is the Christmas" was for a time published in a single small volume by The Horn Book; now it is available exclusively in Joy to the World.

Between the stories are carols, lovely in themselves, appropriate to each legend. Told with the magic that can be woven only by a fine storyteller, the stories and carols strengthen and broaden a reader's understanding of Christmas in other lands.

From Arabia comes the legend of the two lambs who set out to find the "child who was to be born of lowly folk, yet born to be a king." From Serbia comes the legend of Christ's visit to the blind boy, an outcast from all people.

From Ireland come the stories of the boy and the Holy Brother who saved their loved ones at Christmastime with the help of the fairies and woodland creatures.

From Spain comes the legend of San Froilan who brought the story of Christmas to the wilderness. Also from Spain comes the original true story of how the tourists brought Christmas to "a scrawny ill-fed little boy with eyes too large for his face."

Genres: Christmas

102 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Ruth Sawyer was an American storyteller and a writer of fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. She may be best known as the author of Roller Skates, which won the 1937 Newbery Medal.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as The Long Christmas - this feels like leftovers.

I like TSH, but I don't think she was a good choice to illustrate this book.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one alongside “The Long Christmas” (which I’ve not yet finished) and I like it just as much, if not better. The folktales in these two volumes are well acquainted with suffering, treat the Christ child’s arrival as just as real as the hills and towns of Europe, and know the world is alive with more than just humans and nature. Their weakness is a sentimentality towards the poor that can feel a bit thick in places. This volume’s artwork is magnificent. I’m glad I read it and might have to print a copy (it’s out of print) to bring out again in future years.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the tales. Especially one about carving the manger figures.

[Cheryl]

Requested in order to see Hyman's illustrations. Normally I love her work, but something was 'off' here. I didn't read the stories (though I scanned a couple), but maybe the problem was that her art just isn't a good fit. Or maybe she was working outside her comfort zone. They seemed a bit more sterile, or rote, than her best.

Anyway, you can take a look on openlibrary.org for yourself.

February 2022

[Marsha Valance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great collection of stories to tell.