Joy to the World! Christmas Around the Globe

Highlighting 13 specifically Christian Christmas-oriented celebrations, DePalma touches briefly on holiday traditions in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iceland, India, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, the Philippines, and Serbia. Rhyming couplets—two per page—highlight moments of sharing and togetherness: about Iceland’s Jólabókaflóð, for example, “On Christmas Eve night, despite the cold weather,/ We all exchange books and then read them together.” Though the uncertain prevalence of each country’s respective traditions makes the selections feel randomized, naïf-style mixed media art by Fatus warmly portrays beaming, beatific individuals of various abilities, ages, and skin tones gathering in groups. Many non-English words are defined in the text; back matter further contextualizes each country’s Christmas tradition. Ages 4–10. (Sept.)