Richard Ammon

A young Amish boy narrates this engaging and informative picture book about how his family and people celebrate Christmas. From the gathering at Maple Hill School on Christmas Eve Day, where parents and friends—some even from the English community—come to see the children recite poems, sing songs and put on a play, as well as exchange gifts, to the two days of Christmas in which they and their extended family gather in different farmhouses for meals and (in the case of the children) show more play, there is much fun to be had. Of course, as farming families there are also chores, which must be done every day, regardless of the season. The book closes as the boy and sister walk home, under the same starry sky that looked down on Jesus, so many years before...

Published in 1996, An Amish Christmas is the first book I have read from both author Richard Ammon, who appears to have written a number of other titles about the Amish, and illustrator Pamela Patrick, who made her picture book debut here. I enjoyed the narrative, which was descriptive, and which incorporated some Pennsylvania Dutch (i.e., German) phrases used by the Amish, with explanations in parentheses. Young people will be interested to see how Christmas is celebrated by this group, with both the similarities to other peoples—the visiting with friends and family, the baking and special foods, the singing of carols—and the differences, including no Christmas tree or figure of Santa Claus / Father Christmas. The accompanying artwork, done in pastels, is absolutely gorgeous—detailed and almost photo-realistic. I will certainly have to look out for more work from both of these creators. Recommended to picture book readers looking for Christmas stories featuring the Amish specifically, and the countryside generally. show less

This book is written from a young Amish girls perspective. She walks the readers through a year of her life from spring all the way through the following winter. During the spring time the girl explains how happy it is for them and how they all get to fly kites and run around. Every season is explained and the joys and the chores of each of them go into detail. I liked this book because it will show the children a culture that most of them probably do not know anything about.

An Amish Wedding, by Richard Ammon is a book specialized in certain aspects of the Amish, or Pennsylvania Dutch culture. The narrator is a young girl who is watching the preparations for her sister’s wedding. The story would appeal to any younger sibling who is in the same situation. However, the book includes many aspects of a culture with which most young children are probably unaware. I have been to Amish country four times, and even I found this story informative.
The book talks about show more what foods the Amish prepare for a wedding supper, when weddings are held, and explains many different parts of the wedding ceremony. The Amish dress is discussed, and well illustrated in the pictures by Pamela Patrick. Important details are mentioned, such as the Amish do no wear jewelry, so no rings are exchanged, that Amish men wear beards when they are married, and unmarried Amish girls wear black bonnets, while married women wear white bonnets. Some of the Pennsylvania Dutch language is used and defined in the story. My favorite part of the ceremony was when the narrator places a broom on the floor, and the bride walks over it, symbolizing her change from maid to homemaker. It is important for children to recognize that all cultures have their ceremony, costume and ways of doing things, and just because they are different, they are not wrong. Children can make connections between their culture and the cultures of others through books such as this one. Two Stars. show less

I really liked this book because I really enjoy learning about Amish culture. I always wonder what my life would be like if I was Amish. I think students would like this book because it is different from their own culture and the illustrations are great. I think this book would be good to use in a 4th grade classroom because I could talk about the history of Amish culture and how it is very similar to living on the prairie out west. I would use this book to compare our culture to theirs show more based on the calendar year. For example, the narrator said that she and her school friends write valentines in February, and so do we. Also, I could use this book in a social skills lesson about working hard. Many do not realize how hard the Amish work just to live day by day, so I could use this book to emphasize that. show less