Christmas in the Trenches - by John McCutcheon (Paperback)

This story begins in modern England, at the end of Christmas day. Two grandchildren ask their grandfather what his favorite Christmas was, and he tells them the story of the 1914 Christmas. He recalls that it was during World War I, The Great War, and it was raging. The young soldiers were living and fighting in the trenches. It was freezing, with frost on the ground, and the soldiers all knew they would be spending Christmas outside and miserable. Suddenly, they heard a Christmas carol sung by the German soldiers coming from their trenches on the other side of the field. The English soldiers answered back with a carol of their own. Before they knew it, hesitantly at first, the English and German soldiers came out of their trenches, and met each other in the field between them. With common agreement, they laid down their weapons and celebrated Christmas with each other. The Germans produced a small Christmas tree with candles, soldiers from both sides exchanged gifts of what they had like chocolates, and canned meat. The Christmas truce went on all through the night until the next dawn, when they returned to the war, and how they were before. But stopping the fighting, and celebrating Christmas together, was never forgotten by the ones there. This was a real Christmas miracle because it was based on a Christmas truce that really happened. Although this is a picture book for children, ages seven to ten-years-old, adults will enjoy this based-on-facts story. Gore is not shown, the one illustration of fighting is not in color, but the spirit of the situation is told. This five-star book makes it easy to learn an amazing part of history. Thanks to Candlewick Press for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.