Christmas on the Island

I was waiting for an Anne Christmas story by Kallie George and Geneviève Godbout. Their other picture books inspired by Anne of Green Gables are so perfect for young readers, those who aren’t quite ready to access Lucy Maud Montgomery’s tales but whose adults grew up on the Anne stories. In Merry Christmas, Anne they take us through the Christmas season with Anne and her family, her first at Green Gables.

Adult readers will recognize iconic moments from Anne’s life embedded in this story of the holidays. The dress Matthew buys for her with puff sleeves and her beautiful poetry recitation all feature in this holiday story. Anne is with her kindred spirits celebrating with Matthew, Marilla, Diana and Mrs. Lynde. There is even mention of Diana’s Aunt Josephine. Readers will join Anne and Diana as they become almost fairy-life, fluttering through all of the gifts of the holiday season. Some readers may see their own holiday traditions reflected in the story and make connections with their own celebrations. Other readers will appreciate the differences between Anne’s celebrations and their own.

Geneviève Godbout’s illustrations are picture perfect! Evoking Christmas on PEI at the turn of the last century and also creating a dreamy world that Diana and Anne inhabit. Huge food items on the table with Anne and Diana dancing around as tiny Christmas fairies, creates a dreamy world for readers.