Author: Monika Utnik-Strugala
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore
Christmas Is Coming is a really fascinating new children’s non-fiction book in which Polish author Monika Utnik-Strugala explores Christmas traditions and celebrations from around the world. This book is a little over 100 pages long, and it is broken up into 39 different aspects of the holidays. The age range for this book is stated as 8-12, but it is rather for any age at all.
Kids (and adults) can learn about how a town in Sweden has a straw goat that is 23 feet tall, or how Germany has over 150 Christmas fairs (weihnachtsmarkt) throughout the country. They can learn about the eating of kutia in Lithuania and hallacas in Venezuela – and why some Japanese flock to KFC on Christmas Eve. There’re even sections on a steamboat-riding Saint Nicholas in the Netherlands on November 11th and a Christmas lottery throughout Spain on December 22nd. And so many more!
This book is not a chapter book with a story to read through, but rather a fun, informational book where kids can pick different customs to learn about. Because each section is no more than a few pages, this would make an excellent evening or bedtime book. The illustrations throughout are also quite beautiful and fit the different cultures discussed. Overall this is a really neat book that should certainly be added to anybody’s collection of Christmas books.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Christmas Is Coming today!
