I love you Father Christmas by Giles Andreae
Ill. by Emma Dodd. Orchard, 2013. ISBN 9781408330227.
(Age: 3+) Picture book, Christmas, Family, Love, Verse. In jaunty
and easy to follow four line stanzas, the poem flows along as the
little girl tells of why she loves Father Christmas. She mentions
many of the details which people know accrue to Father Christmas and
the customs followed at this time of the year, so that in the
classroom or at home, children can be reminded of just what happens
at this event in the western calendar. All is fun, as Father
Christmas brushes his teeth and eats a bit of Christmas pudding
before he sets out across the skies bringing presents to children
over the world. The narrator reminds the reader that manners must
have been used throughout the year, that dinner must have been eaten
to the last crumb, friends treated respectfully, parents helped out
with doing chores and the bedroom kept tidy. All these she promises
that she has done, because she likes receiving the presents at the
end of the year.
All through the value of family is presented as the child is part of
a loving family, and the last picture shows the child with her
family on Christmas morning with her presents. The bold
illustrations with their blocks of colour reflect the images of
Christmas seen at this time of the year, and reinforce for the
younger reader what happens in our communities.
Fran Knight