"Clutching bags closely -
their thrill overflowing! -
people hurry and scurry
through carols and bells.
And rush the books home,
wrap them as gifts,
and wait ... "
Despite the Icelandic ancestry of my husband's family, I had not heard much about Jólabókaflóðið until my granddaughters were born. Their heritage is books; they love to read themselves, and they love having stories read to them every night. Honing in on their grandfather's family and its traditions from Iceland, they have celebrated a Christmas book flood for a number of years now.
Books and chocolate, what a wealth of gifts to enjoy! In Iceland, winter's approach encourages preparations for the books gifting that comes on Christmas Eve. Each family takes a close look at notices advertising new books, and wanders the bookstore searching for a perfect gift for friends and family. The closer it gets to Christmas Eve, the more the excitement builds. Diverse community members share the wonder felt by a young girl and her family as they take part in their search for the perfect books!
"On the 24th of December,
people gift books
as a sign of love,
of hope,
during a dark time of year.
Reading is magic -
when you have the right book."
So much time is given to the choices made before families head home to experience their own celebration of snuggles by the fire, hot chocolate, and reading, reading, reading the books that now take pride of place on their own bookshelves. What Christmas Eve treasure to behold!
An author's note reveals the history of Jólabókaflóðið, and inspires readers to take part in this delightful tradition.
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