Christmas Quiet Book – book review

The Christmas Quiet Book
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by Renata Liwska
Picture book
* * * * Stars (Great!)

Experience these carefully selected, quiet moments of Christmas through, “The Christmas Quiet Book.”  There are all kinds of quiet: Hoping for a snow day quiet, Knocking with mittens quiet, Shattered ornament quiet, Listening for sleigh bells quiet, and more.  Readers of all ages will enjoy the memories, feelings, and emotions they evoke.

Sometimes, when a picture book is popular and the authors/illustrators make sequels the result is a disappointing shadow of the initial triumph.  Not so in the case of “The Christmas Quiet Book.”  Deborah Underwood’s selection of quiet moments surrounding the holiday are excellent (maybe Aunt Tillie’s pickle and banana stuffing is a bit of a stretch, but EVERYONE will be able to relate to some horrible dish, lovingly prepared by a family member during the holiday season), and Renata Liwska’s illustrations are soft, fuzzy, warm with remembrances, cold with deep snow falls, muted, and matte finished (rather than glossy – which makes them even quieter!).  The short passages and illustrations will evoke readers’ own memories of these quiet moments – suggesting, rather than telling you what to imagine.  Another beautiful, quiet book.

Reviewed by YA Librarian

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