Everyone knows the song Jingle Bells, but did you know it was written by a minister in Savannah, Georgia. Based on a true story, John Pierpont was an abolitionist from Boston and was seriously missing the cool days of New England when November rolled around. He realized that his daughter had never seen snow or been in a sled. Although his Unitarian Church is under attack by pro-slavery brickthrowers, he writes his annual Christmas song for the children's chorus and the rest is history. Adam Gustavson's illustrations capture the 1850's setting and John Harris has spun a good yarn that kids will remember when they sing about that one horse open sleigh.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.