December 24

Christmas Eve! And we have come to our last book.

First, December 23:

I've Seen Santa! 
by David Bedford
illustrated by Tim Warnes

Little Bear and his parents camp out by the tree to see Santa. Can they stay awake long enough? Can they keep their paws off the blueberry pies they made for him? This is a cute story illustrating a very common Christmas theme: a child who can't sleep and all the ways they try to "catch" Santa in the act.



The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
by Susan Wojciechowski
illustrated by P. J. Lynch

This contemporary classic (pub. 1995) is my number one favorite holiday story, and just by chance, it was our special Christmas Eve book. (I didn't manipulate the Advent book unwrapping! I swear!)
While my preschoolers had a hard time sitting through it all at once (it would be better in two sittings, as it is a bit long), it is well worth the read. From the book jacket: "One day in early winter the widow McDowell comes to call on the woodcarver. A quiet request leads to a joyful miracle as the widow and her son gently warm the sad heart of Jonathan Toomey."

Merry Christmas!