Off the Shelf

Books

Read by Cindy Martin

A Charlie Brown Christmas

By: Charles M. Schultz

“Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy… Christmas time is near and I would like to suggest you take a break from shopping for this year’s superhero mega-toy, and, if you haven’t already, add this new tradition to your holiday line-up. Whip up a fresh batch of hot chocolate, plate up a few sugar cookies, and put on the instrumental version of Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here” to play softly in the background while you and your family gather by the light of the tree to read Charles Schultz’ A Charlie Brown Christmas. There are many printings of this precious gem available in a wide range of price points. The 2017 hardcover deluxe edition adapted by Maggie Testa and illustrated by Vicki Scott is particularly impressive with its velvety cover and coffee table presentation size, heirloom quality for sure.

As the story unfolds commercialization of this spiritual season has Charlie Brown sad and depressed. It seems everyone, including Snoopy, who is decorating his dog house in hopes of winning the “Spectacular, Supercolossal Neighborhood Christmas Lights Display Contest,” has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.

Poor Charlie Brown becomes even more disillusioned when, in her letter to Santa, his sister Sally informs him she is willing to accept cash, tens and twenties, preferably, instead of gifts. The situation worsens when he finds his attempts to direct the Christmas play totally ignored by the cast. He and Linus decide a tree would be the perfect thing to set the mood for the play. Charlie Brown was determined that this was one play that was not going to be commercial!

Everyone laughed at the less than perfect Christmas tree, Charlie Brown had lovingly chosen. “You were supposed to get a good tree,” the ever cynical Lucy told Charlie Brown. “Can’t you tell a good tree from a poor tree?”

Hurt and distraught, Charlie Brown exits the stage with tree in hand, heading home. Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts gang realize that maybe they were too hard on their friend and want to make amends. Can they help Charlie Brown discover the true meaning of Christmas??

Find out in the beautiful storybook, available online and in bookstores everywhere.

You might want to reinforce the festive mood on subsequent family nights by watching the movie version on DVD or by streaming it on Apple TV+.