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Caldecott Winning Illustrators Series: Chris Van Allsburg

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to an illustrator whose work on a children's book represents some of the best art in the field. Today, we focus on a writer/illustrator whose books were named a Caldecott Honor book in 1979 and who won the Caldecott Medal in both 1982 and 1986. Chris Van Allsburg's Caldecott-winning books were met with critical and commercial success and have been adapted into much-loved films. This master of his craft has created some of the most beloved books of the last few decades, now considered classics. Join us as we look at Van Allsburg's impressive career in today's edition of our Caldecott Winning Illustrators series.

     
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A Collector's Guide to The Night Before Christmas

By Katharina Koch. Dec 3, 2022. 9:25 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Christmas Books

With my favorite holiday approaching, there is no better way to get in the Christmas spirit than reading and collecting The Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore. This essential children’s book has long been one of my favorites. When I first began collecting, I knew I wanted to focus on something that I had cherished as a child; so naturally I chose The Night before Christmas books, among a few others. Still a classic to this day, The Night before Christmas encompasses the magic of Christmas that is treasured by children and so often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of the season. 

     
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Ten Beautiful Christmas Poems

By Leah Dobrinska. Nov 26, 2022. 2:07 PM.

Topics: Poetry, Christmas Books

I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of Beauty.
—Edgar Allan Poe
 
Merry Christmas, everyone! Truly, Christmas is a lyrical holiday—one that is experienced through the stories told from days past and hopes strung together for the future. Whether it be through bible verses, Christmas carols, or the written word, there's no better way to celebrate the beauty of today than with some classic Christmas poetry. Here, we’ve compiled excerpts from ten Christmas poems. Enjoy the “rhythmical creation of Beauty” on this Christmas Day.
     
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'Twas the Night Before Christmas: The Authorship Question

By Shelley Kelber. Dec 24, 2019. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Poetry, Christmas Books

It is a fact that this stalwart Christmas poem, now considered a tradition, was initially published as an Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas in New York's Troy Sentinel newspaper on December 23, 1823.  It was published anonymously. The poem is credited with connecting St. Nicholas to Christmas and planted the seeds that led to our idea of Santa Claus. It also established most of the reindeer names.

     
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Nine Caldecott Winners for the Winter Season

By Katie Behrens. Dec 19, 2019. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Caldecott Medal, Christmas Books

The first snowfall of the year, the anticipation of Christmas, the wealth of holiday traditions: the end of the year is filled with opportunities for joy and fascination for the young (and young at heart). It’s no surprise, then, that the list of Caldecott award winners is filled with winter tales. It’s the perfect time of year to snuggle up with loved ones and read a book, so here are some classics to enjoy, from The Polar Express to The Big Snow.

     
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Children's Books to Gift This Holiday Season

By Adrienne Rivera. Dec 11, 2019. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Children's Books, Christmas Books

Christmas is a magical time for children. School is out of session, the possibility of snow lends a sense of excitement to every cold day, treats and presents are never far off, and the season is filled with the warm comfort of tradition. This year, we invite you to take a look at some of the best Christmas books to gift to children. Maybe you can start a new tradition of your own by giving a book that comes to hold an important place in a child's holiday celebration. From The Night Before Christmas to a few more unusual titles, here are some books sure to make any child's eyes light up on Christmas morning. In fact, with twelve books on this list, you might as well get one for every day of Christmas.

     
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The Real Man Behind Santa Claus (And the Books That Made Him Famous)

By Leah Dobrinska. Dec 6, 2019. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Christmas Books

At this time of year, it is common to hear cheery adults ask wide-eyed children, “What do you want from Santa Claus?” In the lead-up to Christmas day, one can find a white-beard wielding, red suit wearing, rosy-faced man at most every shopping center and holiday event, and whether the young children are excited to tell him their Christmas wishes or run screaming in terror at the thought of sitting upon his lap, imagining Christmas without Santa Claus is incredibly difficult. Indeed, Santa has become so intertwined with the Christmas holiday that for many, he takes center stage on December 24 and 25. What are the origins of the modern day Santa Claus? Who was the real St. Nicholas? And who helped bring the image of the man in the red suit into popular culture?

     
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Collecting Clement Clarke Moore's The Night Before Christmas

By Anne Cullison. Jul 15, 2019. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Children's Books, Christmas Books

For many families, Christmas wouldn't come around without a Christmas Eve reading of the ultimate holiday poem, Clement Clarke Moore’s The Night Before Christmas. Originally known as A Visit from St. Nicholas, Twas the Night Before Christmas has been a part of the Christmas tradition for over a century and a half. Who was the author behind this famous Christmas poem? What are some valuable editions of  The Night Before Christmas to add to your collection? We thought we'd give you a taste of Christmas in July and explore this popular holiday title.

     
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Ten (More) of the Best Literary Christmas Quotes

By Leah Dobrinska. Dec 25, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Christmas Books

Merry Christmas to our readers! Wherever you are reading this blog post from today, we hope you are filled with good cheer and the merriment that only the holiday season can bring. Take some time to enjoy the following beautiful literary Christmas quotes (and if you're looking for more, check out our post on this subject from last year). These we've taken from our favorite books and poems as well as from other holiday-based writings. We hope they warm your heart and bring a smile to your face as you enjoy Christmas day. 

     
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Childhood Classics: The Night Before Christmas

By Katharina Koch. Dec 24, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Children's Books, Christmas Books

It's Christmas Eve! As adults, sometimes we can lose sight of the joy, wonder, and magic of this season. But one book that has always encapsulated those emotions is The Night Before Christmas. This childhood classic has enraptured generations, so much so that some rare book collectors even focus all their efforts on this single title.

     
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How can I identify a first edition? Where do I learn about caring for books? How should I start collecting? Hear from librarians about amazing collections, learn about historic bindings or printing techniques, get to know other collectors. Whether you are just starting or looking for expert advice, chances are, you'll find something of interest on blogis librorum.

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