I am looking for a book that was given to my brother in the late 70’s possibly very early 80’s. It was a beautifully illustrated children’s book, similar to Jan Brett. Woodland creatures in a snowy forest, including a hedgehog or porcupine, celebrating Christmas. The end of the book has them finding a candle lit carousel in the woods. Those are the only details that I remember! Have been looking for this book for a long time!
Thank you!
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Mousekin’s Christmas Eve?
Thank you for your reply, however it’s not the book I am looking for. I am now re-thinking that the animals come to an opening and it’s a beautifully candlelit Christmas tree, not a carousel.
If it’s a tree at the end, it could be Night Tree, by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ted Rand.
A beautiful book. I like Ted Rand better than Jan Brett! The only thing is that it may be too late–I think it was published in the early 90s.
I thought Aliki had a similar book that came out earlier though. Or maybe Christmas Party, by Adrienne Adams?
Could it be The Animals’ Merry Christmas? It was a Little Golden Book.
I agree. I just found this at my mother’s and read it to my boys. A porcupine character plays prominently in this one. I think it may have been illustrated by Richard Scarry.
I think it might be “A Christmas Party” by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey, illustrated by Cyndy Szekeres. The book is exactly as you describe without a carousol in the ending (your revised comment matches the last picture of Santa hanging stockings on a tree in the woods with the little animals asleep behind him).
It doesn’t have the carousel, but could you be thinking of “The Fourteen Bears in Summer and Winter”? It has a scene with all of them decorating their treehouses and participating in other winter activities.
Oops, here’s a link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/193511.The_Fourteen_Bears_in_Summer_and_Winter
[new link provided by Admin]
I wonder if we are looking for the same book? I have been trying to find a book from my childhood in the early 80’s. The book features nicely illustrated woodland animals doing various festive things. I remember a mother and child ?hedgehog in their den making star shaped sugar cookies together. In another scene, the animals are sliding/sledding and playing in the snow. I think it ends with a candle-lit tree scene. Does this ring any bells for you? anyone? Thanks! 🙂
Yes, I remember this book. It had a cardinal and I think his name was Reddy and hedgehod, bear, rabbit, ?titmouse (I think the the titmouse was making candles), the cardinal got a scarf for Christmas and they celebrated all together in a clearing. I cannot remember the title but I thought it had Christmas and Woods in it but doing a search comes up with all kinds of books, none of them match.
I read this to my son for a couple of years and that was about 1990-1192. I would really love to find this book and give it to my son and his wife as a present for their children. Thanks!
Also they were sledding together. The hedgehog was baking with her children or child. It was not a small book, maybe a bit bigger than a 8×10″ with wonderful pictures. I have not been able to find it on any search again as of today.
I believe I have found it. Was totally off base with the title: “The Animals Who Woke up for Christmas” by Stella Ormai
The Animals Merry Christmas by Richard Scarry?