Enter to win one of two copies of Jingle Bells: How the Holiday Classic Came to Be by John Harris, illustrated by Adam Gustavson (Peachtree, 2011).
The unexpected story of the creation of a holiday classic – in the most unlikely of places.
It is November 1857 in Savannah, Georgia, and the heat is stifling. Choir director James Lord Pierpont is busy writing a song for the children of the church to perform to usher in the holiday season.
He is also worried. Many townspeople are angry because the congregation does not believe in slavery, and someone has thrown a brick through one of the church windows.
As Mr. Pierpont sweeps up the glass from the broken window, he recalls his own Boston childhood, the sound of sleigh bells, and the fun of riding in a sleigh through the snow.
Suddenly he gets an idea. A few days later – with the happy sounds of children singing and jingling bells and bags of “snow” – Mr. Pierpont introduces the delighted churchgoers to the charms of a northern Christmas!
To enter, comment on this post (click preceding link and scroll) and include an email address (formatted like: cynthia at cynthialeitichsmith dot com) or a link to an email address. Or email Cynthia directly with “Jingle Bells” in the subject line. Publisher-sponsored. Eligibility: U.S. Deadline: midnight CST Dec. 12.
Sounds like an interesting book! Perfect for this time of year.
~Jess
http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com
haightjess@gmail dot com
I read the book at AASL in Minneapolis – as a former Savannian, I had no idea! Very fun – for another bit of trivia for your day, Juliet gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in Savannah. Now you know my approximate age when I lived there…
I love true stories–and I hadn't heard this one before! The book sounds inspiring! As a parent who grew up north of the Mason-Dixon Line and gave birth to four Native Texans, I could hardly wait to take my children "home" to see snow! 🙂
nancykaybowden at yahoo dot com
I hadn't either. And I perform every year as Mrs. Claus for local preschool storytimes…I need this book! Thanks, Cynthia.
I can't wait to read this book! As a music teacher, I'm always researching the origins and history of folk songs to use in my classroom. This book will be a welcome addition! Please enter me in the drawing. alishagabriel at hotmail dot com
Thanks!
Hey! That's my church! http://www.uusavannah.org/history.htm
I love learning new information about old favorites. How wonderful that Harris and Gustavson partnered to bring this to children!
My students, staff and I would certainly enjoy having a copy for our library.
mmmcu at charter dot net
This looks like such and interesting book! Given how popular 'Jingle Bells' is, this could be a book many reluctant readers would easily pick up.
I love new informational texts! (that's what my research is about!)
http://diaperedknights.com
This book would make a great addition to my classroom library. What an interesting twist on the classic holiday story and a good choice for reluctant older readers!
writergrad at g mail dot com