Christmas is right around the corner, and my kids and I have been reading piles of holiday books together. My toddler son is also quite interested in learning to count. Whenever I count something off and hold up my fingers as I go along, he holds out his hand and “counts” along with me. I therefore love reading Christmas counting books to him at the moment. When recently offered the chance to review The 12 Joys of Christmas written by Thomas K. Seibold and illustrated by Sheri McCulley Seibold in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add a new title to my home library. The 28-page book costs $12.00 for the paperback and $20.00 for the hardback on Amazon.
Author/Illustrator
Author Thomas Seibold and illustrator Sheri McCulley Seibold are a husband and wife creative team who were inspired to write The 12 Joys of Christmas by their own childhood Christmases and winter holidays spent in picturesque settings, enjoying classic stories and cherished company. “The best parts of Christmas are the classic traditions, experiences, and simple pleasures that families have enjoyed for generations,” Thomas says. “These are the real gifts that keep on giving,” adds Sheri.
Sheri is the founder of Sherri McCulley Studio, a Kansas City-based design practice that develops original characters, patterns, and product concepts for a variety of manufacturers in numerous product categories. Thomas is a technology marketing specialist and manager of Sheri McCulley Studio.
Synopsis
Christmas can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of shopping and spending, but the real gifts of the holiday season are the memories that remain. Written similarly to “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” The 12 Joys of Christmas celebrates the timeless sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings of Christmas that bring families and friends together in a season of shared ideals, traditions, and lasting joys. From baking cookies to picking out a Christmas tree, the sweet holiday book offers a memorable countdown of simple pleasures and inexpensive activities enjoyed with loved ones.
Evaluation
“Raise the spirit of Christmas … one freshly cut tree,” begins The 12 Joys of Christmas. Perfect for younger readers while still appearing to older kids and adults, the book offers a simple countdown of twelve inexpensive Christmas activities that bring joy to family and friends. My five-year-old daughter, who has been reading on her own for over half a year now, can read the holiday book with ease. My toddler son also loves hearing me or his big sister read the book aloud to him. I also enjoy reading the book out loud to my kiddos. I especially love that the book emphasizes the simple joys of Christmas. I myself have many fond holiday memories, baking cookies with my mom in particular.
My favorite part of The 12 Joys of Christmas are the illustrations. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous and remind me of vintage Christmas cards. As I was reading the book aloud to my son for the first time, he loved pointing out his favorite parts of the illustrations including the dogs, deer, and snowmen. I could spend hours pouring over all the intricate details in the gorgeous illustrations. My daughter also enjoys looking at the pictures as she reads the book. As she tells me, “I like the picture. They’re pretty. And they’re Christmas-y. I love Christmas!”
Final Verdict
If you are searching for a new holiday book that emphasizes the most important joys of the season, I highly recommend checking out The 12 Joys of Christmas written by Thomas K. Seibold and illustrated by Sheri McCulley Seibold. Christmas can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of shopping and spending, but the real gifts of the holiday season are the memories that remain. The sweet book celebrates the timeless sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings of Christmas that bring families and friends together in a style similar to “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Both my kids enjoy reading the book, and all three of us love the beautiful illustrations. The 12 Joys of Christmas is a new holiday favorite in my house!
Purchase The 12 Joys of Christmas on Amazon via my affiliate link.
Image Credits
‘The 12 Joys of Christmas’ Book Review © 2016 Heather Johnson
Cover of ‘The 12 Joys of Christmas’ © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘The 12 Joys of Christmas’ 1 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘The 12 Joys of Christmas’ 2 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘The 12 Joys of Christmas’ 3 © 2016 Heather Johnson
