The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore celebrates Jolabokaflod in a special way. This is a delightfully illustrated book, by Kitty Moss, about the joys of finding the right book as the right gift, and the family that you give it too. Then, while reading on Christmas eve with you hot chocolate (or chocolate bar), we see how the spirit of the season is among us.
Based on the Icelandic tradition, we have a diverse family, their friends, and community waiting and getting ready for the big day. The poetic prose is wonderfully
supported by lush, colorful, detailed imagery. The illustrations are fantastical in their realism. They have an old-fashioned feeling, but also a modern tone. The text supports this feeling as well.
An afterwards explains the background of how this tradition started (during World War II) and the why people are “circling” and reading newspaper like publications and other acts that occur on the pages. I was not aware that this tradition was so modern, or the fact that most of Icelandic books are published all at once during the latter part of the year (see the afterwards for this and so much more). Therefore, it is fun and educational to read.
All ages can have this book read to them, it will adapt with the child as you can read the art, text and then the afterwards as they grow. It would make a great gift for Jolabokaflod even if you do not celebrate, but since it is a tradition that is taking root all over the world, why not?
