Why I love Christmas by Michael Wagner. Illus. by Tom Jellett
The Aussie Christmas is revealed in all its glory in this funny book by Wagner, and illustrated by Jellett giving his wonderfully warm-hearted, family oriented images of Christmas in the suburbs. From the endpapers showing a myriad of Christmas lights, to kids playing instruments for money from passers by, to the community sharing their displays and a meal, all the tropes of Christmas are presented, both in text and illustrations, making it a wonderful source of inspiration for some and a reminder to others of the fun filled days ahead.
Readers will be jumping for joy as the family celebrate Christmas through the eyes of this family. The receiving of the Advent Calendar is the start with the children warned to only open one flap at a time. Then the decorations begin appearing along with Christmas songs sung everywhere. The tree is then put up with the whole family helping with decorating it. Outside, lights festoon the house, and a street party sees all the neighbours coming out to chat and eat together. At night, families walk down local streets to view other people’s light displays. The cousins get together to make a gingerbread house. And this family makes cards and presents for each other, while remembering those who do not get much by putting a present under the Giving Tree. Once the school holidays begin, things start to happen, as the countdown starts. A Father Christmas on the bus gives out candy canes, families go to the park for Christmas Carol singing, and on Christmas Eve, food is put out for Santa while the children struggle to sleep. Christmas Day sees the family rising early and presents unwrapped while everyone gets ready for the traditional Christmas lunch at Nana’s. Crackers are pulled and the lamest of jokes shared, while those no longer there are remembered. A wonderful day is spent by all with family, food and frivolity, and it will all happen again in 12 months.
Jellett’s illustrations always set a family oriented mood to the story and this one is no different: Dad in his thongs dons a Viking helmet, the kids play with each other and their dogs, Mum looks harassed helping to organise them all. I love the look on Mum’s face at the Christmas lunch, cheeks a little red, hair akimbo, looking on as Dad toasts the absent Grandfather. Jellett’s families are wonderful, inclusive, full of life, and fun.
Readers will love the lead up to Christmas reading this family’s journey to Christmas Day. And the readers will recall two other books by the same duo, Why I love footy, and Why I love summer.
Themes: Christmas, Family, Fun, Humour.
Fran Knight