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Joy to the World: A Family Christmas Treasury (by Ann Keay Beneduce)

common sense media says

A good selection of holiday literature.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there are some great stories here, and music is provided for sing-alongs.

Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
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More on Joy to the World: A Family Christmas Treasury

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about their favorite holiday stories, songs, and poems. What other traditions are important to your family?

What's the story?

What's the story?
A collection of Christmas stories, poems, carols, plays, Biblical excerpts, and information, lavishly illustrated in styles from different historical periods. A good introduction to a wide variety of holiday literature, but many of the excerpts and abridgements will send readers hunting for the originals.

 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This is a high-quality edition with lots of content and beautiful pictures, a fine choice for families looking for a coffee-table book with a variety of holiday material or for those who don't want a large Christmas library. The selections are good, if unsurprising (with the delightful exception of the excerpt from The Best Christmas Pageant Ever): The carols are classics, and the stories are mostly familiar. The selection of poems is weaker, though there are a few standouts, such as Langston Hughes' Carol of the Brown King.

The information in the introductions is often fascinating. Gannady Spirin's paintings and decorations are often glorious. Ranging in style from medieval-church frescoes and Persian miniatures to 19th-century illustrations, they draw the eye and reward close inspection.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Ann Keay Beneduce
Illustrator: Gennady Spirin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: January 1, 2000
Number of pages: 179
Hardcover price: $25.00
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Amethyst
adult
 
Good Holiday Overview
I found this book to be a nice overview of Christmas traditions and meanings, both secular and religious. The stories are short enough to read to younger kids (3s & 4s) and even my teenager listened to some without sarcastic comments. I take it out every Thanksgiving and leave it out until New Year's.
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