The Animals' Merry Christmas

I bought this book for my 5-year-old daughter's November birthday based on the reviews posted here. We have been enjoying the stories night after night since then. This is a treasury of stories about different animals celebrating Christmas in very simple and joyous ways. Each tale is charming yet teaches something valuable about giving. The Richard Scarry illustrations are delightful as well.

I am delighted that this favorite book has now been reprinted! I've tried for years to buy additional copies. This book was given to me by an aunt, and I have loved these timeless stories for over fifty years. Each of my three children grew up first hearing then reading the stories each year. This Christmas my grandaughter, who is only three months old, will receive her very own copy. She will be the fourth generation in our family to cuddle up and enjoy these delightful animal tales.

As a child, my mother first read these wonderful stories to me, then we read them together and then I read them on my own--even after I might have been considered 'too old' for children's books. Now I am repeating this same pattern with my daughter. This wonderful collection of funny, sweet and charmingly illustrated stories and poems brings spirit of the holiday season to life without being ponderous, overly sentimental or cliche. I'm so glad to see that it is available again for new generations to enjoy.

This was my sister's and my favorite holiday book. We are so excited to be able to share it with our latest generation. As soon as I learned it was in reprint again I immediately ordered three copies. I was delighted when they arrived to see that the book has stood up over time and all our favorites were still there. The story of The Bare Polar Bear was our most beloved. But I was thrilled to reread the "Terrible Teddy Bear" and "The Golden Sled." And who could forget "The Goose That Stuffed Herself" and the elephants Trumpet and Clarinda in "A Very Big Christmas." This truly is a must have for children between 4 and 10 who celebrate Christmas to have on their bookselves. The stories and illustrations will live in their memories for decades as they have with my sister, mother and me. It is wonderful to be reunited with such wonderful old friends.

For my siblings and me, the absolute favorite book from our childhood that certainly deserves resurrection. Its wonderful and mostly humorous Christmas stories and poems are centered around animals and all subtly present caring and giving as their centerpiece. The Richard Scarry illustrations that accompany it are fantastic.