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Christmas Day in the Morning
From Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck and acclaimed artist Mark Buehner comes a heartwarming story that illustrates the true meaning of Christmas.
Rob wants to get his father something special for Christmas this year—something that shows how much he really loves him. But it's Christmas Eve, and he doesn't have much money to spend. What could he possibly get? Suddenly, Rob thinks of the best gift of all...
The acclaimed author of nearly a hundred books for children and adults, Pearl S. Buck captures the spirit of Christmas in this elegant, heartening story about a boy's gift of love. Originally published in 1955, this timeless story with glorious full-color art by Mark Buehner will be a welcome addition to your holiday collection.
Rob wants to get his father something special for Christmas this year—something that shows how much he really loves him. But it's Christmas Eve, and he doesn't have much money to spend. What could he possibly get? Suddenly, Rob thinks of the best gift of all...
The acclaimed author of nearly a hundred books for children and adults, Pearl S. Buck captures the spirit of Christmas in this elegant, heartening story about a boy's gift of love. Originally published in 1955, this timeless story with glorious full-color art by Mark Buehner will be a welcome addition to your holiday collection.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1955
About the author
Pearl S. Buck
661 books2,827 followersPearl Comfort Sydenstricker Buck was an American writer and novelist. She is best known for The Good Earth, the best-selling novel in the United States in 1931 and 1932 and which won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. In 1938, Buck became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature "for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China" and for her "masterpieces", two memoir-biographies of her missionary parents.
Buck was born in West Virginia, but in October 1892, her parents took their 4-month-old baby to China. As the daughter of missionaries and later as a missionary herself, Buck spent most of her life before 1934 in Zhenjiang, with her parents, and in Nanjing, with her first husband. She and her parents spent their summers in a villa in Kuling, Mount Lu, Jiujiang, and it was during this annual pilgrimage that the young girl decided to become a writer. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, then returned to China. From 1914 to 1932, after marrying John Lossing Buck she served as a Presbyterian missionary, but she came to doubt the need for foreign missions. Her views became controversial during the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy, leading to her resignation. After returning to the United States in 1935, she married the publisher Richard J. Walsh and continued writing prolifically. She became an activist and prominent advocate of the rights of women and racial equality, and wrote widely on Chinese and Asian cultures, becoming particularly well known for her efforts on behalf of Asian and mixed-race adoption.
Buck was born in West Virginia, but in October 1892, her parents took their 4-month-old baby to China. As the daughter of missionaries and later as a missionary herself, Buck spent most of her life before 1934 in Zhenjiang, with her parents, and in Nanjing, with her first husband. She and her parents spent their summers in a villa in Kuling, Mount Lu, Jiujiang, and it was during this annual pilgrimage that the young girl decided to become a writer. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, then returned to China. From 1914 to 1932, after marrying John Lossing Buck she served as a Presbyterian missionary, but she came to doubt the need for foreign missions. Her views became controversial during the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy, leading to her resignation. After returning to the United States in 1935, she married the publisher Richard J. Walsh and continued writing prolifically. She became an activist and prominent advocate of the rights of women and racial equality, and wrote widely on Chinese and Asian cultures, becoming particularly well known for her efforts on behalf of Asian and mixed-race adoption.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
December 28, 2020
Christmas Day in the Morning’ by Pearl S Buck, captures the true spirit of Christmas, with a gift of love from a young boy to his father. It’s a memory that both father and son alike will treasure throughout the intervening years, until one day there’s only the son left to remember.
Our protagonist discovers that love alone can awaken love, and there in lies the lesson of life - love really does make the world go around.
Our protagonist discovers that love alone can awaken love, and there in lies the lesson of life - love really does make the world go around.
December 21, 2023
A gift from the heart is the best gift to give and to receive. A lovely, heartwarming read that reminds you of the true spirit of the season. 💖
November 22, 2020
4.5 rounded to 5 stars
Christmas Day in the Morning is a beautifully written and illustrated poignant celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. I so wish we could go to back to those times. The times when there were no Black Friday free-for-alls and where people did not dread Christmas Day because of the frenzied stressful weeks spent preparing for it. It makes me sad to think about how such a true holiday treasure has evolved into something else entirely. If you would like to experience what Christmas truly represents, then read this short story over a coffee break this holiday season. Perhaps it will get you in the mood to celebrate Christmas the way it was meant.
Christmas Day in the Morning is a beautifully written and illustrated poignant celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. I so wish we could go to back to those times. The times when there were no Black Friday free-for-alls and where people did not dread Christmas Day because of the frenzied stressful weeks spent preparing for it. It makes me sad to think about how such a true holiday treasure has evolved into something else entirely. If you would like to experience what Christmas truly represents, then read this short story over a coffee break this holiday season. Perhaps it will get you in the mood to celebrate Christmas the way it was meant.
December 28, 2022
This was another Christmas book recommended to me by the algorithm. I must own every Pearl S. Buck book there is, and I was searching for holiday novellas and children’s books several weeks ago.
Christmas Day in the Morning is an extremely short and simple, but insightful, story good for all ages. It’s illustrated so I recommend a hardcopy. My Kindle copy had the illustrations in black and white, but I wish I had had the full experience.
I learned after reading that this was performed a couple years ago by the Tabernacle Choir with Richard Thomas, formerly of The Waltons (a show that brought my dad immense comfort in the last several months), and you can watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/-jOnXgcI_Ic
I really loved the meaning of Christmas explored here.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Christmas Day in the Morning is an extremely short and simple, but insightful, story good for all ages. It’s illustrated so I recommend a hardcopy. My Kindle copy had the illustrations in black and white, but I wish I had had the full experience.
I learned after reading that this was performed a couple years ago by the Tabernacle Choir with Richard Thomas, formerly of The Waltons (a show that brought my dad immense comfort in the last several months), and you can watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/-jOnXgcI_Ic
I really loved the meaning of Christmas explored here.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
December 4, 2021
I've used an obviously lavishly illustrated edition to record this read, but this story is very short.
I read it here https://www.altogetherchristmas.com/s... This site has some other Christmas goodies as well.
This story about a teen from a poor family wanting to show his father how much he loved him at Christmas time. It shows beautiful sentiments without being cloying.
My first read of anything by Pearl S. Buck and I really enjoyed it.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
I read it here https://www.altogetherchristmas.com/s... This site has some other Christmas goodies as well.
This story about a teen from a poor family wanting to show his father how much he loved him at Christmas time. It shows beautiful sentiments without being cloying.
My first read of anything by Pearl S. Buck and I really enjoyed it.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
February 7, 2017
I have to give a quick back story on how a 40-something yr old got this book from the library for herself. I have been using Goodreads on my iPhone for a few months now but still am having a hard time seeing all the content features it has to offer. I was skimming the "currently reading" section of one of the reading groups I belong to when someone mentioned "Christmas Day in the Morning" by Pearl Buck being one of their favorite holiday books. I love holiday books for getting me in the spirit (even if Halloween is still a few weeks off yet) and I like Pearl Buck, so I added it to my list without checking out what it was about. I am lucky enough to work near a fabulous library that I frequent on many lunch breaks. I couldn't find it in the fiction section and the librarian standing near me asked if she could help. I told her about the book and she said she knew the book well and led me to the kids section at the opposite end of where we were. I was quite sure she must be mistaken, this is an ADULT book I was looking for. She smiled and pulled the book off the shelf and handed it to me. I was too embarrassed to admit I'd clearly made a mistake so I thanked her and checked it out hoping my cheeks weren't turning red. I just ate my lunch very slowly reading and THOROUGHLY taking in every illustrated picture absorbing all the details as if I were a 7 yr old being read a story. I loved seeing the calf's breath in the cool of the barn and the pictures on the wall on the stairs. I forgot just how wonderful picture books are. This one comes with such a heart-warming father/son story that I have no shame to say I teared up a bit. So, while I stumbled on this book accidentally, I am truly grateful that I went with it and fed my inner child that has gone way too long without reading a book with pictures.
December 11, 2020
A heartwarming little 1955 classic that captures the true meaning of Christmas with A most memorable gift of love on Christmas morning.
Some nice old-fashioned illustrations too albeit a bit on the shadowy side.
Sweet.
January 3, 2015
This has become my favorite book to read each Christmas. It is a beautifully written book - a rich and thoughtful exploration how a boy learns that a thoughtful and unexpected expression of love is the best and most lasting gift we can give. I can't make it through reading it to my kids without crying. This is a book to own and read to your family each Christmas.
November 30, 2020
This short story by Pearl S. Buck sharply brings into focus the spirit of Christmas then and how transformed it is to the spirit of Christmas now. Though the celebrations remain the same the occupations and preoccupations are so dramatically altered.
I loved the innocence and the selfless giving spirit of Rob and the bonding he had with his parents. It reminded me of the way we celebrated festivals when I was young - friends relatives family was such an essential part of all festivities. There was so much we did together. A lot has disappeared in the material plentitude of celebrations now.
This story is a reminder of the essentials of any festival, not only Christmas. And it helps to be reminded so touchingly.
I loved the innocence and the selfless giving spirit of Rob and the bonding he had with his parents. It reminded me of the way we celebrated festivals when I was young - friends relatives family was such an essential part of all festivities. There was so much we did together. A lot has disappeared in the material plentitude of celebrations now.
This story is a reminder of the essentials of any festival, not only Christmas. And it helps to be reminded so touchingly.
December 15, 2016
Really sweet story. I want to do something like this for my parents someday ... but we don't have any cows! ;)
December 19, 2021
I listened to this story. It was included in a book which was a series of Christmas stories. I wish I had known about this book when my boys were little. I would have read it to them every year. It’s good to learn how to give.
January 7, 2021
Lying in bed one Christmas Eve night, a middle-aged man thinks back to the Christmas when he was fifteen, and the special gift he gave to his father. The child of caring but undemonstrative farmers, Rob only discover just how loved he is when he overhears his father and mother discussing him. Realizing in that moment how deeply he loves his father, Rob wishes to give him a meaningful gift, eventually hitting on the idea of getting up extra early on Christmas morning to milk the cows, so that his father won't have to. This action allows the father to witness his children's Christmas morning joy for the first time in his life, as his chores had previously kept him out of the house when they first came downstairs. It also leads to a greater closeness and understanding between father and son...
Originally published in 1955 - I'm not sure whether it was published in a magazine, in book form, or in a collection of stories - Christmas Day in the Morning was republished in picture-book form in 2002, with artwork by illustrator Mark Beuhner. In his brief illustrator's note, Buehner describes how his own two children, inspired by Buck's story, which they heard in church, gave him and wife a similar Christmas gift, by cleaning the house one Christmas Eve night. Clearly this is a story with great significance for his family, and it's not difficult to see why. Simply told but deeply felt, it explores the strong bonds of love between father and son, and the way in which such love makes hard work a pleasure, rather than a penance. It offers insight, not only into the ways in which love calls out love, but into the true meaning of Christmas, when divine love was born into the physical world, in human form. I found myself moved by this tale, and finished the book with tears in my eyes. Recommended to anyone seeking beautiful, poignant, and thought-provoking stories for Christmas.
Originally published in 1955 - I'm not sure whether it was published in a magazine, in book form, or in a collection of stories - Christmas Day in the Morning was republished in picture-book form in 2002, with artwork by illustrator Mark Beuhner. In his brief illustrator's note, Buehner describes how his own two children, inspired by Buck's story, which they heard in church, gave him and wife a similar Christmas gift, by cleaning the house one Christmas Eve night. Clearly this is a story with great significance for his family, and it's not difficult to see why. Simply told but deeply felt, it explores the strong bonds of love between father and son, and the way in which such love makes hard work a pleasure, rather than a penance. It offers insight, not only into the ways in which love calls out love, but into the true meaning of Christmas, when divine love was born into the physical world, in human form. I found myself moved by this tale, and finished the book with tears in my eyes. Recommended to anyone seeking beautiful, poignant, and thought-provoking stories for Christmas.
July 12, 2016
Such a special book. I picked this up in the library because I just happened to see it and my three year old loves Christmas books. I did not notice it was written by Pearl S. Buck. What a wonderful story. It was so sweet that I read this book through tears. I will buy this one. And I am sorry to say I have not read anything else by Pearl S. Buck, but I certainly will now.
March 19, 2017
The true spirit of Christmas.
December 12, 2024
Well if you want to just ugly cry why your children give you a blank stare, this book is my recommendation to you!! Good grief.
What other freedom in life and trial can we feel but obeying like a child that knows he’s loved?
What other freedom in life and trial can we feel but obeying like a child that knows he’s loved?
December 30, 2019
Sweet Christmas story.
Quote: “He had been fortunate that she had loved him—and how fortunate that he had been able to love. Ah, that was the true joy of life, the ability to love! He was quite sure that some people were genuinely unable to love anyone, but love was alive in him, it still was.
It occurred to him suddenly that it was alive because long ago it had been born in him when he knew his father loved him. That was it: love alone could awaken love.”
Love alone could awaken love!
(Again, a little note but I do not want it to detract from the beauty of the story. From my reading Matthew 2, the Magi went to worship Jesus in a house, perhaps up to 2 years after his birth. But I continue to study!)
Quote: “He had been fortunate that she had loved him—and how fortunate that he had been able to love. Ah, that was the true joy of life, the ability to love! He was quite sure that some people were genuinely unable to love anyone, but love was alive in him, it still was.
It occurred to him suddenly that it was alive because long ago it had been born in him when he knew his father loved him. That was it: love alone could awaken love.”
Love alone could awaken love!
(Again, a little note but I do not want it to detract from the beauty of the story. From my reading Matthew 2, the Magi went to worship Jesus in a house, perhaps up to 2 years after his birth. But I continue to study!)
December 25, 2021
I read this short story several years ago, and I remember being very touched by the Christmas spirit it imparted to me. Tonight (12 December 2019) I had the great fortune of attending the annual Christmas concert in Salt Lake City in which Richard Thomas (John Boy from The Waltons) performed a superb dramatic reading of this story, along with inter-woven music from the Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra, to an audience of tens of thousands. Wonderful.
Update (December 25, 2021): I read this again, aloud, to my family for Christmas. It was as good as ever.
Update (December 25, 2021): I read this again, aloud, to my family for Christmas. It was as good as ever.
December 6, 2016
A touching classic Christmas story.
December 5, 2019
This is a classic Christmas story. When I read it to my kids tonight I remembered it so well. I was read this story as a child. 🌟
November 25, 2018
What a meaningful Christmas story about the art of gift giving and what makes a great gift to someone you love. The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is that it's too short. I want to explore more of this theme and also the Christmas spirit reflected in our act of giving gifts to other people.
September 10, 2014
A wonderful short story that shows how love is truly the best gift that you can give your loved ones.
The story is about a boy, who even after becoming a man, remembers a Christmas when he truly realised the meaning of loving and how it was the perfect gift for his father.
Love does not need any money or even effort, it just is and when it is, I guess it is easy to express. For most of us cynics out there, this is truly a lesson in loving and being loved.
"Love alone can awaken love" -I don't think truer words have ever been spoken in relation to this wonderful sentiment.
So go out there and tell all your dear ones how much you love them, for that is truly the greatest gift you can give your loved ones. For this is something that they will definitely cherish for a really long time, just as this boy remembered and cherished his father's love for him, for several years after the death of his father.
The story is about a boy, who even after becoming a man, remembers a Christmas when he truly realised the meaning of loving and how it was the perfect gift for his father.
Love does not need any money or even effort, it just is and when it is, I guess it is easy to express. For most of us cynics out there, this is truly a lesson in loving and being loved.
"Love alone can awaken love" -I don't think truer words have ever been spoken in relation to this wonderful sentiment.
So go out there and tell all your dear ones how much you love them, for that is truly the greatest gift you can give your loved ones. For this is something that they will definitely cherish for a really long time, just as this boy remembered and cherished his father's love for him, for several years after the death of his father.
December 22, 2022
This is definitely not your typical picture book for kids. It's more like a short story with appeal for all ages. The artist was the perfect choice for capturing the spirit of the story. Here, Ms Buck gently and engagingly, shows the reader the essence of a true gift.
A must have for anyone who enjoys Christmas tales.
2022 I'd like to know what inspired this story.
Strong family.
A must have for anyone who enjoys Christmas tales.
2022 I'd like to know what inspired this story.
Strong family.
December 12, 2011
I have been familiar with this story since I was a child but had no idea that Pearl S. Buck had written it. It is a beautiful story of love and service--one that is definitely a classic.
October 14, 2021
A lovely short holiday story to warm your heart!
December 12, 2018
Pearl Buck wrote a timeless tale of a young boy's gift of love to his father. It is a simple story with deep meaning that brings forth the goodness that Christmas should be in all of our hearts. And the illustrations in this edition by Mark Buehner are exquisite, and bring the story even more to life. I highly recommend this book to children of all ages, from newborn to nearly done. In fact, go find a child today and read this with them.
January 17, 2021
A lovely Christmas story about the joy of giving for children and adults.
December 17, 2015
This is easily one of my favorite Christmas stories. My family watched the 1977 movie based on the story each year, and it was a favored too. The book, however, is more wonderful as it ties the narrators story to the present as well as the past. My children loved hearing it as much as I loved reading it. A short tale to be read in an evening near a Christmas tree; especially if there are some gimme-gimmes in your home at this season. Giving love is the greatest joy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2019
I have heard this story countless times, but it wasn’t until now that I learned it was originally written by Buck. I have always loved it, and tonight, I loved sharing it with my children. It so heartwarmingly captures the spirit of giving that I want them to learn. Love, love, love this story!
May 23, 2021
Ohh it is an excellent heartwarming tale that shows the pure love between a father and his son, and one of the best classic fashionable way to tell a tale for a Christmas eve .. And what it does say is completely simple. It's love that keep the world going on! ❤️
December 10, 2011
I've long loved this story (never realizing it was by Pearl Buck). The artwork in this version is gentle and sweet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews