Joy to the World

This handsome volume gathers three of Tomie dePaola's cherished Christmas stories, offering a rich tapestry of holiday traditions from different cultures. The collection includes The Night of Las Posadas, which explores a Spanish Christmas procession; The Story of the Three Wise Kings, recounting the journey of the Magi; and The Legend of the Poinsettia, revealing the Mexican origin of the iconic red flower. DePaola's signature artistic style—with its clean lines, warm earth tones, and expressive characters—creates a visually cohesive experience across all three tales.

What makes this collection stand out is how it moves beyond typical Santa-and-reindeer fare to explore the deeper cultural and spiritual roots of Christmas celebrations. Each story serves as both entertainment and education, introducing readers to diverse holiday customs through dePaola's gentle storytelling and iconic illustration work. Families seeking to incorporate meaningful traditions into their holiday season will find this volume particularly resonant, as it captures the quiet wonder and communal spirit that defines the Christmas experience across generations.