All over the world people come together to celebrate Christmas with special foods, decorations,music, and gift giving. Jane Yolen, Tomie dePaola, and Adam Stemple have captured the wonderful diversity of the holiday's traditions in this lavishly illustrated collection of stories and legends, original poems, carols both old and new, and Christmas customs. Included in these colorful and decorative pages are such stories as the well-loved legend of Baboushka; the stately measures of the classic carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and the rollicking new song "North Pole Express"; descriptions of Christmas food, animals, and plants; a history of Santa Claus; a verse play about shepherds; and poems that are reverent, witty, and touching. This beautiful book, the loving collaboration of a distinguished author, artist, and musician, is the ideal companion for a family Christmas.