Country Angel Christmas

When St. Nicholas comes to the Country Angels to let them know they will be in charge of Heaven's Christmas celebration this year, everyone has a task to accomplish. From Adasa the Kitchen Angel, who sets out to prepare a feast, to the singers amongst the Music Angels, occupied practicing their songs, everyone is busy. Everyone that is, except the three littlest angels, Ari, Pip and Kira, who are continually told their are too small to be of help. Fortunately, St. Nicholas discovers this problem, and helps them to find a job that is very important after all...

I grew up on author/illustrator Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona books, as well as his wonderful The Clown of God, which was a childhood favorite, and have been exploring more of his show more work recently. I wasn't sure what to expect with Country Angel Christmas, as the story sounds rather quirky, but in the end I found it sweet and heartwarming. Though the cast of characters is angelic, children will be able to identify with Ari, Pip and Kira, who want to participate in all of the preparations, but are always being told they are too young and small. The artwork here is vintage dePaola—I particularly liked St. Nicholas' plaid flannel jacket and cap!—and adds to the fun. I don't know that this is one of the creator's best, nor that it will become a Christmas favorite, but I'm glad to have read it. Recommended to dePaola fans at the holidays, and to picture book readers who sometimes feel as if they are being excluded, for being too young or too small. show less

This is an example of a fantasy book. The author makes the story believable yet it includes fanciful elements such as Santa Claus and angels. The story takes place in heaven, yet the story does not make the reader doubt that this setting is real.
Art Media: watercolors
Appropriate Age: Primary

Very nice for Christmas! All of the illustrations are very good!

Excluded from helping to prepare the Christmas celebration in Heaven, three small angels find a way to light up the night sky on Christmas Eve

ECS