Published by Farrar Straus & Giroux on November 1, 2022
Genres: Holiday - Christmas
Pages: 40
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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This lovely and lyrical picture book, based on a real Icelandic tradition, brings all the sparkle and anticipation of Christmas--and of the joys of reading--to the page.
The northern lights dance,
snow blankets the ground,
it's the Christmas season--so the Book Flood begins!People plan and they dream,
and they visit the shops
for books to give loved ones, and families, and friends.And when Christmas Eve comes,
they'll share magical stories,
curl up by the fire, and read, read, read, read...With gorgeous artwork and a diverse cast of characters, Emily Kilgore and Kitty Moss's The Christmas Book Flood is a surefire holiday classic.
It’s been quite some time since I reviewed a children’s picture book here on the blog, but I couldn’t pass this one up when I saw that it centers around one of my favorite Christmas traditions and has absolutely stunning illustrations! The Christmas Book Flood or, Jolabokaflod, is a WWII Icelandic tradition that I’ve always been in love with. Paper was one of the very few things that were not rationed in Iceland during the war, so people gave each other books as gifts for Christmas. It’s become a tradition that bookish people all over the world have grabbed on to themselves. The idea is to give each other books on Christmas Eve and then stay up all night reading with hot chocolate. My friend group and I celebrated this last year and drew names from a hat. Then we mailed each other books and treats. We had planned to do a Christmas Eve Zoom session and read in companionable silence, but some people were not feeling well and some were too busy with family so we ended up not doing that. But it was still so much fun to receive a couple books to read on Christmas Eve. I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning reading in bed by the light of my Christmas tree. So, of course, this picture book was made for me! And I LOVE it.
The book begins in Autumn, and the illustrations are sprinkled with fall leaves and pumpkins. I could feel the crisp, fall air. The anticipation of the Christmas Book Flood is palpable and the people walk along the dirt streets in their sweaters by the light of the Norther Light dancing overhead. Then the tradition is explained. The book says that “reading is magic–when you have the right book.” I couldn’t agree more! The books explains how much thought people put into selecting books for their loved ones, which I thought was so sweet. I turned the page to a cozy little village street speckled with bookshops and snowflakes, and my smile grew even larger than it was before. I could hear the crunch of the snow as the people on the pages walk past twinkling lights with their packages in tow after a long day of shopping.
How beautiful is this illustration? I’d love to visit this magical bookshop. The illustrations show a cute little girl searching for the right book, when she finally finds one just in time! Her joy is exquisite, and the page turns to reveal a magical scene from inside her imagination. Hot air balloons, a castle, and a sea monster fill the page. Then we turn the page again to reveal a family opening their gifts together and eating festive baked goods. “They pore over treasures and marvel together: new worlds and adventures, etched across pages bound between covers.” What a pretty line. I was delighted to see how this family celebrates together. They pile the floor by the Christmas tree with pillows and blankets and read together. Even their pets have books! Those who can’t read are perched on the laps of those who read to them instead.
This book is beautiful and festive oh, so cozy! The illustrations are full of color and texture, the writing is just lovely, and the love and happiness found within the pages absolutely drips right off of them. I was immersed in this cute little Icelandic town and could practically hear the voices of the townspeople deliberating over their book choices. Upon closing the book I immediately pre-ordered a copy for my personal collection as well as my mom’s. I highly recommend this book to anyone, old or young, who enjoys books and Christmas! And if you choose to celebrate Christmas this year with your own Christmas Book Flood, this would be a beautiful choice to give your loved one, maybe paired with a cute mug and some hot chocolate! Make room for The Christmas Book Flood next to Clement C. Moore’s Twas the Night Before Christmas on your yearly Christmas Eve bedtime story line-up!