A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CAROL

LITTLE CHRISTMAS CAROL based on the book by Charles Dickens. Envisioned and illustrated by Joe Sutphin

I love Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The illumination that occurs as the light of realization shines into the bleakest of hearts when confronted with the error of one's ways is glorious. The dawning of understanding that breaks when one knows that not a single mourner will gather when they are gone. Their vapor of life, when snuffed out, will dissipate into the air of indifference never to be thought of again unless a change occurs.

A Christmas Carol teaches readers there are two choices in life: be a blessing or be a burden to those around you.

As Scrooge learns, we each hold within ourselves, thanks to the grace of God, the ability to be a blessing to others. It may come about in monetary donations, time given freely in help, a smile bestowed on another as we walk along, or uplifting words spoken from our lips to someone hurting. We hold the power to lighten the loads of those around us every day.

We also hold the power to add hardship to loads: to knock others down with words and actions, to turn away when we see needs that we have the ability to relieve, to press in with force when we can lift up and strengthen instead.

Two choices. And as such, Scrooge learns and changes. Hopefully, so do we.

Little Christmas Carol is beautifully written. It doesn't shy away from the depth of its parentage. Vocabulary and phrasing are challenging yet manageable. The text comes alive with the most wonderful illustrations that will capture the reader's attention. Predominately rabbits with a few other delightful creatures, there is a warmth and coziness that draws young readers or listeners in. Little Christmas Carol is a read worthy of being a family read aloud.