Family Quizmas: Christmas Bedtime Stories and Trivia Fun

Description

164 pages
$16.00
ISBN 0-14-305544-5
DDC 394.2663

Year

2006

Contributor

Illustrations by Ron Lightburn
Reviewed by Janet Arnett

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Review

Pape, of financial advising fame, and his adult daughter have retold
seven traditional tales, making them suitable for very young children.
The tales are intended to be read as bedtime stories, and are certain to
enhance children’s anticipation of Christmas while keeping the focus
on the legends, spirit of giving, and the biblical background of the
nativity. Topics also include adaptations of the Christmas Carol and the
story of St. Nicholas, plus a visit to Santa’s castle.

Based on the premise that children love to participate in bedtime
reading, each of the seven stories opens and concludes with questions
suitable for discussion with those as young as two or three years old. A
section of trivia questions concludes the collection.

The writing style is age-appropriate, polished, and smooth. Most of the
language of the traditional stories is updated, with just enough classic
phrases (“tidings of great joy,” for example) included to start the
process of building recognition for young listeners. Originality in
context and expression assure this little work a place as a modern
Christmas classic. Highly recommended.

Citation

Pape, Gordon, and Deborah Kerbel., “Family Quizmas: Christmas Bedtime Stories and Trivia Fun,” Canadian Book Review Annual Online, accessed December 11, 2024, https://cbra.library.utoronto.ca/items/show/22870.