The Carolers by Georgia Guback

This book was a ginormous part of my childhood and is still one of my three top favorite Christmas picture books. Possibly my tip top favorite. (It's a close call and I really can't pick one for the honor, but this sure comes mighty close.)

(Please overlook any fuzziness in the pictures, I was working with some tricky lighting but really wanted you to get a little taste. ;))

The summary is simple: a group of carolers comes into a tiny little community and, family by family, the residents join them. Each stop is accompanied with the first verse of a different traditional carol and an artfully done cutaway scene of the Nativity story. 

The illustrations are so colorful and endlessly fascinating, packed with all sorts of details. Looking at it now -- with the families of all different sizes and with different cultural heritages, family traditions, activities, etc -- I'm realizing it was actually one of the first books to shape my understanding of just how huge Christmas is: the glorious Good News for every single last household and town and country and culture, with all the rich tapestry and beauty and complexity that's wrapped up in that straightforward proclamation. 

Personally, I don't feel like it's sending an in-your-face message though. An indispensable book in our arsenal, it's joyful and compelling and well done. And so very very cheerful... It's genius. And definitely one that needs to go on your list asap! It is out of print, but you can currently still find it here and there for a fairly reasonable price.

For toddlers and up

Reviewed for The Literary Christmas Reading Challenge hosted by In the Bookcase.