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Molly Brett was a children's author and illustrator from Surrey, Great Britain and she lived from 1902-1990. She grew up in the English countryside and was surrounded by nature. She published over 60 books for children during her years as an artist. A contemporary of Margaret Tarrant and Beatrix Potter, she depicted enchanted nature scenes for children. She had a gift for making animals realistic and giving them human characteristics and activities. Her book Robin Finds Christmas was published in 1961 and tells the story of a robin whose fir tree is stolen from the forest while he is away. The rabbit in the woods heard the people who took it said it was "for Christmas." The robin is determined to find out just who this "Christmas person"is.  On his journey, he meets helpers who try and point the way to Christmas. "Maybe it's in the chimney where Father Christmas goes every year" says the sparrow. "You should have looked in the shops" cooed Madam Pigeon. "Perhaps it is in the red post box" cries Jenny Wren, "where all of the Christmas letters go." Finally, he meets tawny Owl who lives way up in the church tower. Owl points to the village below. "All the letters and the presents are aspects of Christmas" he says, "but you will find the true meaning in the old church below." Robin makes friends with the resident church mouse, and sure enough, he shares with him the story of the babe in the manger. He leads him to the crèche, where the holy family and shepherds are gathered. Robin is so taken with the babe that he sings to him.  Robin's fir tree is eventually planted in the church yard and Robin moves back into his beloved tree to stay. In the years to come, he tells the Christmas story to the other birds in the fir tree and together, they sing to the Christ child.  A simple yet meaningful story to read at this time of year, with one tiny bird's search for the meaning of Christmas.
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Finding a Home on Christmas Night Here is a beloved book in my collection of children's Christmas stories, called The Christmas Cat. Published in 1976, it was written by Efner Tudor Homes and illustrated by her mother, Tasha Tudor. It is a story of a homeless cat wandering in the woods in the winter cold, looking for a place to live.  Discovered one night by a man feeding the wild animals in the woods, he discovers the cat and finds a home for him, declaring "you belong in a warm house with soft chairs to sleep on and a saucer of milk to drink".  Alas, he finds a cozy home for this lonely cat. When two brothers wake up on Christmas morning, they go their stockings by the fire and discover a gray cat curled up on a chair. "But Nate, where could he have come from?' cried Jason. "I'm not sure" said his brother, looking thoughtful. "But some unexpected-and wonderful- things can happen when it's Christmas."  A simple story like this can offer a sense of warmth, safety and protection to a young child, not only during the Christmas season, but all throughout the year.
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