Keeping Christmas — Jeanne La Rose

Keeping Christmas was inspired by Jeanne's son, Steven, when he was 8 years old. The original illustrations were done by her older son, Barry, when he was 11. Of those drawings, only the cover of the book remains as his. In what turns out to be a universal theme, Steven did not want to let go of the Christmas season and when the tree was taken down, it symbolized the definitive end of Christmas. From Steven's actual despondency, the author contrived the young boy's imagination for a way to keep the Christmas tree with the family all year long. Ultimately, his mother offers a more practical solution and what is actually the essence of Christmas. The theme does not relate to presents, Santa Claus or religion. It is all about heart.