Christmas Eve at the Mellops' by Tomi Ungerer

 

When you add this book to your family Christmas read aloud tradition I am sure your children will delight over the names of the three boys - Casimir, Isidor and Felix. All three want to please their father so they head into the forest to find a perfect Christmas Tree. But what a disaster. The family do not need three trees. 

"Never mind .. why don't you see if you can give your trees away to people who don't have one yet? And when you get back your mother and I will have a surprise waiting for you."

So, the boys visit the orphanage but alas they already have a tree. Next stop the hospital but every patient there has their own tiny tree. Next stop the prison - but they don't have any more room. The soldiers in the barracks also say no thank you. Just when it seems no one will take their three trees they see a girl crying. She lives in a big old house with three different inhabitants and hooray they all need trees! In fact they need more than trees and the boys quickly jump into action finding warm clothes, blankets, money for presents and medicine, food and wood to heat their house. And what of the surprise mentioned by their father - yes they have a tree and presents and delicious food waiting for them at home.

"I am so proud of you. And what's more, I think we learned a very important lesson ... there's no such thing as to many Christmas trees."

Christmas at the Mellops' was written in 1960 but my copy is a reprint from 2011. The German title is Famile Mellops Feiert Weihnachten.

The understated story, first published in England 50 years ago, has a French flavor in the quietly humorous text and minimalist illustrations in a sophisticated palette of peach and spring green. Ungerer, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Prize, exhibits a masterful sense of pacing in his work, with plentiful space surrounding his witty piglets and a spare text conveying a complete, satisfying plot. ... The subtle theme of the transformative power hidden within heartfelt gifts is elegantly conveyed ... Kirkus

Tomi" Ungerer (1931 – 2019) was a French artist and writer from Alsace. He published over 140 books ranging from children's books to adult works. He wrote several books about the Mellops'. The Mellops Go Flying (1957) Mellops Go Diving for Treasure (1957), The Mellops Strike Oil (1958), Christmas Eve at the Mellops (1960) and Mellops Go Spelunking (1963).

This year I am just going to share an occasional Christmas title - you can see all my past theme collections:

Twelve Days of letters at Christmas

2022 Christmas Book selection and this link will also take you to my Christmas in Australia titles

You might find a copy of Christmas Eve at the Mellops' in your local or school library or even in a charity shop.