“Eloise at Christmastime” celebrates the season

There are some books that appeal to children of all ages, and this slender volume with well-chosen words and whimsical illustrations has withstood the test of time. Eloise at Christmastime is a classic, with a known, irrepressible, and slightly tarnished heroine—a six-year-old child who lives on the top floor of a very tony hotel, The Plaza, in New York City. This book is one of many Eloise books—not quite a series, but a connected collection of delightful tales with this inquisitive child as core. The exuberant text of Kay Thompson is matched by the boisterous drawings of Hilary Knight, and together they form an integrated and pleasing whole.

Written in a young, first-person narrative (in a wonderfully brash tone), Eloise marches through page after page of holiday cheer, singing not-quite-right lyrics to well-known carols. She visits the lobby on Christmas Eve, wears a halo of mistletoe, attends parties while presumably uninvited, and generates mayhem in every situation. In her own wise, higgledy-piggledy scratchings:

Then it’s zippity jingle and dash away ping
Hang holly and berries in all the halls
The tassels on all the thermostats and
Write Merry Christmas on all of the walls.

And on Christmas, she writes about all the marvelous presents under the tree and who gave what to whom, including Skipperdee the turtle, and Weenie the dog. It’s all so improbable and rather fetching, but very uncomplicated, simply divine, and just right.

Yes, yes, I like Eloise, I do, I do. She is creative, clever, naughty, greatly inspired, and absolutely adorable. If you wish to enchant those who are special in your life with a gift that continues to please on numerous readings, try this volume. It’s timeless and sure to please those on your list—even curmudgeons. In the words of Eloise, “Ooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I absolutely love Christmas.” After reading this tale and viewing the charming, accompanying illustrations, you too will love Christmas—and Eloise.