Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Entertaining Read …….. Recommended …. 4 stars

The Review

The volume begins with the lyrics and a bit of trivia concerning the song ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’ Other songs presented include ‘Deck the Halls,’ ‘Here We Come A Caroling,’ ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas,’ and ‘Jingle Bells.’ Interesting facts concerning the songs follow the lyrics. The question ‘What Makes Christmas,’ is asked and answered, directions for a ‘Rose Sachet,’ are presented, the question ‘Did You Know,’ is sprinkled here and there with an interesting query presented and answer given. Recipes include one for homemade clay for tree ornaments, Christmas Snowballs, Edible Holiday Candles For Kids, and Figgy Pudding. On the pages of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas there is something for everyone included in this assortment of facts, detail, trivia, recipes, information, legends, and tales. Those who enjoy snippets and trivia are going to delight in this fact filled edition. Children will enjoy using the clay to make Christmas ornaments. I have often wondered what ‘figgy pudding’ was really like, and now I know. Delicious. I enjoy having memories refreshed and learning new and interesting facts. There is a page of various ways to wish Christmas greetings around the world. The ‘Did You Know’ questions are intriguing. I especially enjoyed reading that while turkey is a favorite feast for many of us, there are many others who prefer goose, I was unaware that during WWII the War Production Board asked cities across the US to curtail use of outdoor lighting, not because of danger of being seen by the enemy but because there was a shortage of wiring and other materials. As a history buff I found it most interesting that President Pierce was the first to decorate a Christmas Tree at the White House, that a ninety-foot Norway spruce as placed at Rockefeller Center in 1948 and one of the largest Christmas trees ever seen was erected in Seattle in 1950. It was 212 feet tall. The publication is constructed carefully, it is a nice, small Christmas remembrance for a special relative, friend or co-worker. The collection of accounts, recipes, particulars, pieces of evidence and details of customs and traditions are presented agreeably, stimulate reader curiosity and in general impart a sense of ‘Well Now! That is interesting. I didn’t know that.’ Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is a fine add-on to the personal gift book collection as well as one bought for gift giving to others. Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend for middle grade readers of 9 or so, as well as everyone who enjoys the genre. Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.

Reviewed by: molly martin 20+ years California classroom teacher

Genre: gift book Author: Compilation Line/Publisher Honor Books .honorbooks.com Mail: P.O. Box 55388, Tulsa, OK 74155 ISBN: 1562929356