Although I like Christmas I’m feeling pressurised by the idea that Christmas is all about presents. I’d like to encourage my children to think more widely about the seasonal celebrations of all kinds and the reasons behind them rather than just getting addicted to the materialistic side of it. Are there any stories that don’t emphasise the extreme commercialism of Christmas?
Conflicting emotions about the excessive jollity and indulgence that Christmas whips up is not a 21st century problem as fiction shows. But trying to get rid of the good cheer that surrounds the festive season doesn’t bode well for those who try.
Charles Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge with his “Bah! Humbug!” view of Christmas had a rough time of it. Haunted by Marley’s ghost, he overcame his deep hostility to the traditions of giving at Christmas and even came to enjoy himself.
Similarly, Dr Seuss’s Grinch, the bad-tempered and bitter anti-hero of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, is so annoyed by the jolly preparations for Christmas which the people of Whoville are enjoying that he descends on the town and sets about stealing from the Whos everything that he can that has anything at all to do with Christmas.
He hopes that with no presents, no Christmas tree and no log the Whos will be forced to abandon their celebrations. When they don’t, he reluctantly realises that there is more to Christmas than just presents. As he makes that shift and so realises that Christmas is not just a giant display of selfishness, his whole character changes as he. Christmas giving is infused with happiness not greed; the interpretation of tall that giving becomes a positive rather than a negative.
Raymond Briggs’ legendary grumpy Father Christmas huffs and puffs as he goes about his delivery business and shows distinct signs of the miserable effects of the cold as he heads for home after a long night out. But, when he settles down for his lavish Christmas dinner, he is filled with a very evident sense of well-being.
All three examples show that even for those who most dislike the commercialism of Christmas, it has more to it – even if nothing to do with the Bible origins – than that. Many other children’s books also capture the goodwill message at the heart of Christmas and the sense of believing that something magical will happen.
And it many stories can and does! In Chris Van Allsburg’s award-winning The Polar Express a little boy waiting excitedly for Christmas gets swept off with many other children on the magical train, the Polar Express.
Soon they are off to the North Pole with Santa Claus in charge. Presents are involved but the magic of the journey and the good that it brings is what really matters.
Goodwill is certainly at the heart of John Burningham’s Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present. The deliveries are done; Father Christmas has returned home and has put the reindeer to bed. He is exhausted himself. But then he finds one present is still in the sack. He must deliver it especially because it is for Harvey Slumfenberger, a boy who only gets one present a year. John Burningham captures the warmest heart of Christmas and would certainly make children everywhere value presents and the best spirit in which they are given and received.
But it is also easy to get away from presents altogether and find other seasonal topics. The special Christmas weather, for example. One of the best-known and best-loved books of the season is Raymond Briggs’s The Snowman which has nothing materialistic about it but has nonetheless come to embody Christmas for many.
Walter de la Mare’s classic poem Snow, newly available as a picture book with illustrations by Carolina Rabei, begins No breath of wind,/ No gleam of sun – / Still the white snow/ Whirls softly down/ Twig and bough/ And blade and thorn/ All in an icy/ Quiet, forlorn. The lyrical poem evokes the snow and everything associated with it making it a perfect book to capture the special qualities of the season. And very peaceful, too.
Or, select stories about Yuletide such as those included in A Christmas Treasury of Yuletide Stories and Poems edited by James Charlton and Barbara Gilson which takes a fresh look at the season of goodwill and makes a welcome antidote to anything and everything commercial.
Which Christmas books and stories would you recommend? Email childrens.books@theguardian.com or share on Twitter @GdnchildrensBks. You can also pose your question using #BookDoctor. If you are under 18 and not a member of the Guardian children’s books join here, we’re packed full of book recommendations and ideas.
@GdnChildrensBks Harvey S is great! We also love Dream Snow, Lucy & Tom's Xmas, Little Owl & The Star, and The Empty Christmas Stocking.
— Kate le Vann (@katelevann) December 8, 2014
Mark, on email
I would recommend Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage by Jane-Anne Hodgson. My daughter recently has read through the book a few times and she says it’s her favourite read.
@GuardianBooks @GdnChildrensBks "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams (no relation) starts with the rabbit given as a Christmas gift.
— Victoria Williams (@vrw123) December 8, 2014
Russell, on email
Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage by Jane Anne Hodgson. It encapsulates the true meaning of what Christmas is about and it’s charmingly written and instantly engaging.
@GuardianBooks @HelenMW82 @GdnChildrensBks Where's The Jolly Christmas Postman?
— Jill Dye (@jilld17) December 8, 2014
Coel James, Bodhi Richard Clarkson and mum, on email
Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage. This unique story embraces the true meaning of Christmas and has taught my 4 and 9 year old exactly that! It’s brilliantly written and full of excitement and anticipation, which keeps the children engaged in the story and left wanting another chapter every night before bed! The characters are genius and their quirky ways make the sequel equally charming and an enjoyable Christmas read in our house every year, without fail.
@GdnChildrensBks we have read Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present on 24 Dec every year since kids were small (they are now 15 and 10!)
— LizM (@lizmac39) December 8, 2014
Allan, on email
How about the touching story of a sprout thrown out on Christmas Day because no one likes him? The Smelly Sprout by Allan Plenderleith
@GdnChildrensBks My 2 girls always ask for Robert Sabuda's pop-up The Night Before Christmas. Beautiful words, beautiful book.
— Julia Faiers (@juliafaiers) December 9, 2014
Ruth, on email
If you want a book that reminds children (and adults) what is really important at Christmas then Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage should be top of the list. It’s good to see old classics/favourites but there has to be room for a few newcomers.
@GdnChildrensBks love Shirley Hughes - Lucy & Tom's Christmas is a perennial favourite with our children
— Giles Booth (@blogmywiki) December 9, 2014
.@GdnchildrensBks I love all of Jan Brett's beautifully-illustrated winter tales at this time of year! Especially Gingerbread Baby #kidlit
— Julie Artz (@julieartz) December 10, 2014
@GdnChildrensBks 101 Dalmations! And Lotta's Christmas Surprise!
— Aoife Walsh (@AoifeMPWalsh) December 10, 2014
