The holidays are just around the corner—truly! It’s a favorite time of year at the Schulte house. In fact, my youngest just asked over the weekend when we will be doing our shepherd’s dinner—where we dine by candlelight at low tables, eating foods common at the time of Jesus’s birth.
Traditions with family and friends are central to the Christmas season and found throughout the pages of C is for Christmas, a new book with words by Brittany J. Thurman and illustrations by Derick Brooks (Farrar, Straus and Giroux).
Here’s more about the story:
Preschooler Alfie is ready for the most wonderful time of year, full of festive decorations, joyful caroling, and the sweet smell of gingerbread. But he still has one more thing to do before Christmas Day, and he wonders if he will make it in time . . . He hasn’t given his list to Santa! Will his awesome babysitter Quentin be able to help Alfie with his delivery?
Written by Brittany J. Thurman and illustrated by Derick Brooks, readers will join Quentin and Alfie as they stroll through the neighborhood decked out in holiday spirit and discover all the amazing things hidden in the word Christmas—from C is for Cookies to S is for Santa Claus—that really make this time of year extra special!
C is for Christmas is the third book in the Alfie and Quentin series, which also include A Is for Alfie
and E Is for Easter Egg Hunt—all based on the award-winning Pinna original podcast.
Author Brittany J. Thurman centers her stories in the emotions, experiences and joys of childhood. She is an artist of words, who paints feelings and moments in the most magnetic, relatable, unexpected and beautiful ways. (I’m honored to call her a cherished crit partner!) How did Brittany begin writing the adventures of these two characters, and this holiday story in particular? Let’s find out as we go Behind the Book!
How did this story come to you?
Quentin and Alfie’s ABC Adventures is based on the award-winning Pinna podcast. My middle grade mystery series, Opal Watson, is also adapted from the same podcast company. While working on Opal Watson, I was asked to write a holiday series for Quentin and Alfie’s ABC Adventures. My approach to both adaptations was to completely immerse myself in the material. I listened to the Q & A podcast everywhere! On the treadmill, on my walks, at my desk and I fell in love with preschooler Alfie and his babysitter, Quentin.
I adore the supportive relationship between these two characters, how imagination and play coincide with learning, and the openness to questioning the world around us. In each book, babysitter Quentin takes Alfie on a sidewalk adventure. Whether it’s down the street, at a Christmas market or at Easter in the park, the alphabet is brought to life through identifying the letters and words around them.
As a kid, I was nervous to speak up. I did not think my questions were important enough to ask. But Quentin shows Alfie that no question is silly and our answers matter. With my own background in early literacy, librarianship and museum education, it was a no brainer for me to say yes to authoring this series.
What influenced and inspired you as you created this book?
In C is for Christmas, Quentin takes Alfie to a Christmas market. There is one problem, it’s Christmas Eve and Alfie hasn’t given Santa his list. Quentin sees how this is an issue for Alfie. He gives Alfie hope by showing him how there are many things that make Christmas special. As they identify those special aspects, perhaps they will run into Santa along the way.
As a child, Christmas was (and still is) my favorite holiday. I remember working feverously on my Christmas list. I was a kid of the 90’s, so circling all the things I wanted in the JCPenney, Toys R Us and Sears catalogs was a must. I love how Derick Brooks shows Alfie, Mom and Dad wrapping presents and hanging stockings around the Christmas tree. Alfie is on the floor working on his list. This was me!
At an early age, I felt the importance of spending this time with family. Some of my favorite things to do were baking cookies, going ice skating and on Christmas Eve our family gathered at my great aunt’s house to exchange presents.
Many of these moments inspired and influenced C is for Christmas. I’m not ashamed to say that I was a kid who firmly believed in Santa (I swear I saw him and his reindeer outside our house!). It’s so important for children to hold onto their imaginations. I want C is for Christmas to be a light and fun way to enjoy the holiday.
I also knew early on that the importance of the holiday was not just to receive gifts. My family taught me the importance of giving back and in many ways this is what Quentin does. Quentin helps Alfie identify letters in the word Christmas and the objects around them that start with those letters. This prompt helps Alfie to think of all the things he does with his family.
What is your biggest hope for this story?
I have many hopes for C is for Christmas. I want this story to show that alphabet learning and early literacy can be applied to everyday life in fun, interactive ways. Quentin and Alfie take learning beyond the classroom, and this is vital for the upbringing of a preschool aged child. I always reflect on the core early literacy principles of talk, sing, read, write and play. All of this occurs in the Quentin and Alfie ABC Adventure series.
I see this story as Black boy joy at its peak. I want readers to feel that joy from the page and spread it in their lives. By questioning what is around us, we open the world. This is one of many impacts of a positive role model.
How might an educator bring your story into classroom activities or learning?
Here are some activities to extend the story!
A. Alfie identifies words that begin with the letters in Christmas. These words include Cookies, Holly, Reindeer, Ice Skates, Sleds, Trees, Musician, Angel, and Santa Claus. But other objects and words that start with these letters show up on the page. Have students identify these additional words. Can they identify why they were important to include in the story?
B. Make an ornament! My favorite childhood Christmas ornament is from the 90’s. I created this ornament with my elementary school teacher, Mrs. Downey. Using white glue and glitter, she wrote my name in cursive. Using a plastic ornament, let kids write their initials with glue. Drip the ornament in glitter or other material like confetti. Allow to dry. Now, you have a DIY ornament to last a lifetime!
C. Make a list! Create a list of all the things that make Christmas special. The catch: None of the items can be bought. Give students the task of completing as many items as possible on the list before Christmas day.
What sustains and nourishes you as you travel this children’s book writing journey?
Working as a children’s library assistant, an interaction with a young patron stayed with me over the years. Her name was Calls and she discovered that I am an author. Each time she came in, Calise asked, “Is your story ready, yet?”
At this point, I had not found an agent or editor, but I was constantly writing. I answered, “No, not yet. Sometimes these things take time.”
Calise’s response was always, “That’s ok, I will wait.”
Calise reminds me that children are waiting on my story. It’s my responsibility to finish.
What a touching and motivating moment, Brittany! I love this story! Thank you for sharing all about C is for Christmas. And thanks to publisher Farrar Straus and Giroux for sharing 30 copies of it with the young readers of Holiday Book Drive Chi through our 10th annual book drive!
C is for Christmas is available now: Visit this link to order it from the bookseller of your choice!
