Truman Capote is a national treasure. I loved these short, bittersweet memories from his Christmases as a child in Depression-era, rural Alabama. It reminded me that I need to go and read all of his works.

Dramatically sappy and sweet.

This was cute and just... fine. Good holiday fluff.

I didn't love this story because there were a LOT of characters and only 250 pages. While a lot of drama happened to each of the characters, there was no space to develop their individuality and internal motivations (good thing there are three more books in the series, I guess?). Maybe this type of writing just comes with the territory. I did request the second book from the library in the hopes that I'll get to learn more about the characters as people in the next one. Here's to hoping!

The pay-it-forward message is so heartwarming! My little rock heart softened.

Maybe mighta got misty eyed.... This book is precious.

I guess not many people sop to think about the creepy crawlies that were probably living in the cave-barn where Jesus was born.

This book doesn't have much of a story... You could leave it wordless and beef up the illustrations and it would be a much better book. Or make it more of a story...Like the spider got his web kicked down, the scorpion got his hole blocked, the candlelight woke up the bat. I never understand how so many unimaginative children's books get published.

When I was a kid I really loved Max Lucado's stories. They made me feel so special and loved for my uniqueness. This story about Joshua the crippled lamb was so warm and fuzzy, and I think I would have loved this as a kid. As an adult, I thought the storytelling could be a bit more polished but I liked the message--everyone has a role and a place in the Kingdom of God.

The illustrations and dropcaps by Jessie Willcox Smith make this 1912 edition the definitive one to read aloud from.

Cute but I wouldn't say it is worth the annual read.

Love this illustration style! I like how each illustration hints at the present that is to come (though some are more clever hints than others). There is no story here, just the song lyrics.