Christmas in the Country is a delightful picture book by Cynthia Rylant and Dianne Goode. It will make a wonderful addition to your holiday reading.

This charming story tells of the author’s Christmas experiences while living with her grandfather and grandmother in a small white house in the country. The girl tells of the various ways she anticipated and celebrated Christmas each year. 

Christmas in the Country

Their celebrations are simple. The grandfather always cuts down a tree from the woods. The girl and her grandmother decorate it with ornaments (many handmade by the girl) from the closet that smells of mothballs.

They attend church on Christmas Eve at the small Baptist church and then again on Christmas morning. Gifts are simple such as candy, nuts, and a tangerine at church and a doll, a coloring book, and such from Santa.

The illustrations will bring a smile to your face as you enjoy the lovely writing for which Rylant is well-known. (Her book, Bunny Bungalow is also one of the books featured in my series Homeschooling with Cozy Books.)

Christmas In The Country

Christmas in the Country is definitely worthy of being part of your cozy homeschool reading and your collection of Christmas books to enjoy each year. 

Homeschooling Ideas

Home Economics – What are mothballs and why do people use them? What do they smell like? If you’ve never smelled them, find some at the store the next time you go!

Letter to Santa – The little girl in the story always wrote a letter to Santa. Use this printable to write your own letter – Write a Letter to Santa.

Writing – Use the Cozy Christmas Writing Pages to write your own Christmas story, make Christmas lists, or do narration.

Music – The girl in the story sang a Christmas carol with the other children on Christmas Eve. Which carol do you think she might have sung? Look up the lyrics to one and use the Nativity Writing Pages to write out the lyrics for copywork. If you play an instrument, try to play the carol. 

Math – On Christmas morning, the girl went to church with her grandparents. The preacher used the time to remind everyone of what Christmas is about. Practice counting with pictures from the Christmas story including the Manger, the Angels, the Shepherd, and Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

Memory Game – Play a game with Woodland Christmas Animals or Christmas Treats. 

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