Queen of Christmas

A bad case of the "gimmes"

Christmas is a week away and Ann Estelle, the self-proclaimed "Queen of Christmas," is focused on "The List," her ever-growing list of things she wants for Christmas. Does this sound familiar? At this time of year, children, overwhelmed by all of the sales and ads for toys, can come down with a bad case of the "gimmes." However, as this children's Christmas book illustrates, it doesn't mean that they don't know what's really important.

The Story

Author and illustrator Mary Engelbreit's Ann Estelle is a determined and, at least right now, self-centered little girl. Ann Estelle, who prefers to refer to herself as the “Queen of Christmas,” has a bad case of the Christmas “gimmees.” She has been adding to The List for months and her list of all the things she wants for Christmas is huge.

Now the countdown has begun. It's just seven days before Christmas. Ann Estelle and her family have started their celebration. During the week before Christmas, Ann Estelle enjoys baking cookies with her mother, sledding with her father, skating with her grandmother, making a snowman, going Christmas caroling, and decorating the Christmas tree.

However, Ann Estelle doesn’t neglect The List. It seems that every activity reminds her of one more gift she wants. Ann Estelle makes it clear that if she doesn’t get everything on her list "that would make Christmas not quite as wonderful as it should be."

Yet, Ann Estelle has a wonderful Christmas, even though she does not receive all of the gifts she’d wanted. Her relatives come to celebrate Christmas with her family. The children play games, watch old movies, eat lots of Christmas cookies, then find room for Christmas dinner.

When her parents put her to bed, Ann Estelle shows that she does understand what’s really important when she says, "It was Christmas exactly the way I wanted it" and begins listing all of the family activities she enjoyed, from ice-skating with her grandmother to decorating the tree. Notice that she does not mention her gifts. When her father asks about that, she replies, "It's not just the presents that matter. Don't you know that?"

For all you parents who have children busily compiling an endless list, take heart. While your child may have a case of the Christmas "gimmes," it's a temporary affliction. Like Ann Estelle, they know what's really important.

Mary Engelbreit, The Author and Illustrator

Mary Engelbreit is well known for her greeting cards, magazine, crafts and decorating books, calendars, and gift items. She has a distinctive style of art, bright and crisp, with a nostalgic appeal. According to her publisher, "Mary's dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children." Another of her children's Christmas books is her edition of "The Night Before Christmas." Ann Estelle is an engaging character, and I look forward to more children's books about her.

Something Extra From Mary Engelbreit

There's a special pocket on the inside back cover of the book. In it, you will find an Ann Estelle, Queen of Christmas, paper doll and three outfits. There's a beautiful red skating outfit, complete with a hat and a muff; a nightgown, and a pretty green and white party dress.

Queen of Christmas: Guide Recommendation

Queen of Christmas was published in 2003 by HarperCollins. It is the first picture book in Mary Engelbreit's series about Ann Estelle. I recommend it for four- to eight-year-olds, especially those with a bad case of the “gimmees.” (ISBN: 0060081759)