We Wish You a Merry Christmas: A Canadian Carol

Author Helaine Becker and illustrator Werner Zimmermann have another collaborative success on their hands! My kids love this book! Becker sets this ‘Canadian carol’ to the familiar tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” with some subtle Canadiana interjected. The text is simple, repetitive, and a delight to sing along with kids.

The real magic to this carol is the sense of play that develops between the text and the illustrations. Zimmermann’s images become more and more full and crowded, in a good way, as more characters join in the festivities in the café kitchen. Much of the humour is created visually as the bears’ figgy pudding turns explosive and stinky (attracting skunks all the while!), the puffins’ herring is snatched by a couple of loons, and some racoons bring their own garbage buffet. The series’ iconic porcupine diligently makes a cake in the background of the madness. Finally, when the kitchen is overflowing with animals, people, and food, a colossal crash results in perfectly Canadian mishmashed snack for the porcupine.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas: A Canadian Carol is sure to be a holiday favourite for families, and the large picture book format of this book in the series also makes it great for sharing in the classroom (or music room) with students. Libraries of all kinds will want to add this to their collections, and it will also make a great gift from parents or grandparents this holiday season.