Chris Van Allsburg - 1985
Houghton Mifflin - 2004
Reading Level: 5-8 Number of Pages: 32 Genre: Christmas, Children
1986 Caldecott Medal Book
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year
ALA Notable Book for Children
Booklist Editors' Choice
Horn Book Fanfare Selection
Reading Rainbow Review Book
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year
ALA Notable Book for Children
Booklist Editors' Choice
Horn Book Fanfare Selection
Reading Rainbow Review Book
Summary: On Christmas Eve, the boy boards a train which would take him to the North Pole. When he arrives, he meets Santa Clause, who offers him whatever gift he desires. The boy asks to have a single bell from the reindeer's harness. When he gets back to the train, he notices that there is a hole in the pocket of his bathrobe, and the bell is missing. Sad and disappointed, he returns home. On Christmas morning, he opens a small gift behind the tree containing the missing bell. The bell is not audible to those who do not believe in Santa Clause, and his parents cannot hear it ring. The boy observes that even though he has grown old, he can still hear the bell, clear as always.
My Impressions: The art is done in full-color pastels which nearly fill the entire page, and the story is innocent and adventurous. The boy receives a testament to something he believes in, and finds that the gift he received helps him recall that testament. The bell and the memory of it remain as a keepsake memory which doesn't expire or grow old. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Parent's Guide: Acceptable for young children. Teaching kids about Santa is innocent enough.
Recommendations: I suggest this book as a great gift to offer at Christmastime, or as a keepsake. Try to look a little deeper than the surface message to allow the book to have greater personal importance.
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