We read this book for Morning Basket time today. It is do delightful! I highly recommend this picture book for your Christmastime read-alouds. Use it for homeschooling, bedtime, or any other time! It is utterly charming!

Here’s why I love it:

-the illustrations are beautiful, realistic and not cartoony, done by Luisa Uribe

-the story is true so as you read it you are learning history, specifically the history of the tradition of the Christmas tree. The text by author Nancy Churnin keeps a great pace of not getting bogged down by details

-the story is about a girl who marched to the beat of her own drummer

-you can use the book for great discussions, about loneliness, marrying for love vs. other reasons, what to do when you feel different from society’s expectations for you, big family logistics (she had 15 children), and I’m sure you’ll think of many more! (The backmatter, for ages 12 and up, will give even more fodder for discussion. So be sure to read that too.)

-the story is about a woman who shows the power of following a personal call

-the story is full of Christmas cheer, as it shows Charlotte’s desire to make her place look more festive for Christmas.

-it’s just fun!

Here is a preview video below.

In short, I love this book. Your public library probably has it, so go put it on hold. You can go here to get more Christmas picture book suggestions. Finally, go here to get the simplest idea for doing a picture book advent. If you want some motivation for reading aloud Christmas picture books, go here. It’s my favorite Christmas tradition of all.

Merry Christmas!