I’m going to indulge myself a bit on the blog throughout December and spotlight a few Christmas and winter tales.  First up is the collection of Jan Brett’s stories which includes The Mitten, Christmas Trolls, and The Hat, along with several others.

I have always dearly loved Jan Brett’s stories!  The tales are unique and call to my Scandinavian blood, and the illustrations are to die for clever.  When you add in dear little hedgehogs with a clever perspective on life–like Hedgie–the combination is a story that can be read over and over without ever growing old.  I also love the gentle blending of fantasy with ‘real’ life, so the story flows seamlessly and gift-thieving trolls are no less believable than a mitten that can stretch to hold a half dozen animals, including a bear.  I guess that’s another lovable thing about these stories–the sense of child-like wonder.  Nowhere do you get the feeling that the author is pulling your leg, or retelling stories she doesn’t quite buy herself.  There is always a sense of wholeness, as if these stories are being told exactly as they happened, because that’s the only way this story could be told.

Of course, in picking up the cover image for this post I discovered another Jan Brett collection–The Snory Treasury–which apparently includes The Gingerbread Baby and The Three Snow Bears.  Those are stories I don’t have…and have suddenly discovered I need.  So I guess the Jan Brett tales should come with a caution–that it’s hard to stop once you begin collecting, just as it’s hard to put the books down once you’ve picked them up!

“Rather like a cat, then?  We are nearly impossible to put down, especially if we begin to purrr!  As for the stories–I liked the one with the mitten best.  Those animals showed good sense in finding a cozy spot and settling in to enjoy a warm nap.  Of course, their mistake was that they didn’t get themselves invited inside, where the mitten would be toasty warm beside the fire!”

I’m of the opinion that the stories associated with this time of year are indispensable, just like the music.  Do you have a favorite winter or Christmas story?

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