When the light fades, people always put all their strength into crossing the last stretch of fatigue and fear of a difficult test – time. At the end of this journey of endurance, Christmas shines for each of us. Under the guise of pragmatism, referring to the negative aspects that current events bestow on us, the cynical and aggressive among us often tend to prevail as a culture that is somehow smarter, perhaps more resilient. Christmas, on the other hand, is again and again a warm embrace that is waiting for us to sink into it, a breath that cannot mix with ours, a hope that is not naive. Children and animals more than anyone are ready to give themselves to all this. As an antidote to the waves of violence and cold that threaten us, we offer children’s books for the holidays, defiantly overflowing with sweetness and strong hugs, that warmth and relief that overwhelms the body and mind when we are reflected in the mirror with trust and fellowship. the look of another and hold a hand (or stroke his fur).

The Wonderful Journey of Edward Tulane (Dioptra Publishers) is another small masterpiece by Kate DiCamillo (1954), already well-known in Greece, an award-winning author of children’s literature who suffered from health problems as a child. So she herself found refuge in reading from an early age. Her character will be born in affection and love, but then forced to cross real and symbolic oceans of suffering. Although every now and then he meets love in a completely different form, he loses it again and again. He changes name and identity countless times. His heart stops, his courage leaves him. However, the hugs that await him at the end will not disappoint even the most demanding. Suitable from 10 years old.

“And what story do you want me to tell you?” asked the mother bear. “Tell me about me,” answered the little bear. “Tell me about what I did before” (“Bear cub”, Papadopoulos publications). But yes, all kids ask you to tell them what they used to do or what their parents and grandparents did when they were kids. Because the first and most important fairy tale is our very life, and if we forget it, the bear cub will resemble his mother. Iconic 1960s illustrator and children’s writer Maurice Sendak (1928–2012) adds to the value of Elsa Holmelund Minarik’s (1920–2012) simple storytelling. This is the first in Greek from the famous series of books “Teddy bear” by the same authors, which was made into a television series for children in the 90s. Suitable from preschool age.

Award-winning children’s writer Panos Christodoulou (1972) and eminent illustrator Daniela Stamatiadis (1972) give us a Spartan sense of the unknown (which we must experience at some point in our lives at Christmas) through the eyes of a very young cat (“Captain Jim’s First Christmas” , Ikaros publications). Is there anything that a playful animal does not want to taste with tooth and claw, testing the patience of his “roommates”, as he calls his family members? “I didn’t see what happened next. I confess, all this noise from a falling tree scared me a little, so I hid in the bathroom. Well, even where I was hiding, I took a nap.” Suitable from preschool age.

“And what story do you want me to tell you?” asked the mother bear. “Tell me about me,” answered the little bear. “Tell me about the things I did.”

The German-speaking Bohemian Ottfried Preisler (1923-2013) creates his classic stories right from the enchanted heart of medieval Europe, which flickers like a lit fireplace in a dark forest hut. Herbe the Little Elf with the Big Hat (Kedros Editions) opens again with a big dangerous adventure. But where, according to superstitions and prejudices, a wild monster should be waiting for him, there the goblin called. They will become best friends, share delicious elven bread and hide from the storm under the big hat of the Coat of Arms. And then? “Sometimes the storms stop and the storms die.” For children 7 years and older.

The Tale of the Witch Walburga (Kastaniotis Edition) is Amalia Petrova’s first book (1965), illustrated by the award-winning Petros Christoulias (1979). It all starts with a big ball, which suits all the heroes of fairy tales every year. “It’s the only day of the year when Little Red Riding Hood is not afraid of the wolf, Sleeping Beauty talks to the Wicked Witch, Cinderella dances with her sisters, and everyone is having a good time, dear.” “Do you want to dance, delightful Hansel?” “After joy, foolish witch!” “Let me dance, Rapunzel!” “Thank you, my evil jailer!” But all fairy tales and their heroes will be endangered by the witch Walburga, who had no right to participate in the celebration, because she did not have “even a small scroll in someone else’s fairy tale.” A continuation of the politically correct removal of the unfair exception on the lovely pages of the book. Suitable from five years old.

Armel Monterre (1971) with “Wide Pullover” (Metaihmio editions) certainly opens the biggest hugs. Another one of those enviable French books with minimal text perfectly intertwined with the illustrations that go along with the story. Monterey uses the traditional, time-honored method of repeating an elemental pattern that ends the story like an avalanche. Never; But, of course, to Eve. When the snow covers everything, the happy, warm sweater will multiply like bread and wine, warming all beings, very large and very, very small, in its web. Suitable for preschool children.

The same applies to the Christmas version of the colorful elephant Elmer, now famous in Greece, the beloved hero of the LGBTI community around the world (“Elmer and the red beard,” Pataki publications). Redbeard (who, of course, is none other than Santa Claus) works with Elmer, who, at a crucial moment, on a night of miracles, turns out to be the nanny of all the little elephants who conspire with him to … David McKee (1935- 2022) has given his innumerable excellent Elmers the best example in favor of variety, a difficult subject around which mediocre or even bad books of insufferable didacticism easily assemble. Suitable from 3 years old.

The latest in the series, but no less enjoyable, is the plucky and somewhat sophisticated mouse Winston (Winston Homecoming, Psychogios Publications), whom we met last year around this time on his first adventure. Popular British writer and illustrator Alex T. Smith (1985) comes up with an imaginative sequel to Winston’s adventures. The background slightly flirts now with Freud, now with Proust. Sounds heavy, but delicious, like cookie recipes interspersed with narration. The climax is when the young reindeer Litten, embarrassed that he is “alien”, that is, he can fly like girls, prepares to take off into the air. “Every hair on Litten’s body began to shine and shine. From tiny horns to a short tail, it glittered as if bathed in starlight. Suddenly, his nose began to glow. It went from dark brown to yellow to orange to crimson like mistletoe. And then his hooves gently lifted off the ground. Who wouldn’t want to bring him into his mother’s arms, into a room full of gingerbread, a deer who runs away when his nose gets red enough? Suitable from five years old.