by Barbara Robinson, Illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown
ages: 7+
First sentence: “The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.”
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I know, I know: it’s October, and here I am, putting up a review of a Christmas book. I’m sorry. (At least it’s October and not July.)

I remember reading this one as a kid, and I think I thought it was kind of fun, but in no way did I think it was a classic. It was silly, I was voyeuristic about the Herdmans (I didn’t know ANYONE that Shocking. Piercing ears with an ice pick! Smoking cigars in the bathroom! Heathens!), but I really didn’t see any Deeper Meaning in it.

I really didn’t think it’d be one of those books that gets read every year, beloved among many.

As an adult, I get the Deeper Meaning — and it’s a sweet message — but I still don’t see why it’s a classic. The writing is, well, simplistic, and the illustrations aren’t that great.  But it does have a great last line — “Hey! Unto you a child is born!”  — so maybe that’s why.

I can take it or leave it.