I slipped away from the family holiday doings on the afternoon of December 23rd to take a nap and nurse a nasty cold, but my 2-year-old nephew's one-volume voice (loud) kept sleep away, so I picked up this lovely little red book. Not a whole lot more than 47 minutes later, I was able to rejoin the crowd, still sleepy but filled with Christmas goodwill.
It even lasted until said nephew woke me up at about 5:30 a.m. the next day.
If you need a reminder that finding beauty in everyday things can save not only your holiday spirit but also your sanity, READ THIS BOOK!
With overtones of "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life," this small, satisfying book from veteran author Van Doren answers to the paradoxical angst we all feel during the holidays. Van Doren quickly establishes a clear voice as he recounts a Christmas Eve adventure that wouldn't be out of place in Alice's Wonderland. Employing his hometown landscape and universal themes of too-much-work/too-little-time, the story sleds along an ever-surprising slope, accelerating steadily -- with the occasional pause for breath -- to a conclusion that is both simple and profound. A quick read, the book is a perfect gift and a primer for the ages.
