Big Bird Is Generous But Impatient in I Can't Wait Until Christmas

December can be a very long month for a kid who’s anxious for Christmas to arrive. That’s just what Big Bird comes to realize in the Little Golden Book I Can’t Wait Until Christmas, written by Linda Lee Maifair.

This vintage Sesame Street book finds the enormous but perpetually kindergartener-ish Big Bird so psyched for Christmas that he can scarcely stand it. What’s sweet about this is that he’s not primarily excited about unwrapping brightly colored packages with his name on them. Instead, he’s beside himself with anticipation over the thought of his beloved Granny - a sweet senior who looks just like Big Bird except for the flowery clothes, the ornate necklace around her neck and the little spectacles on her nose - opening the gift that he made especially for her.

So antsy is Big Bird that every few days, he asks his granny if she wouldn’t just like to come over and open her present early, or at least let him give her a hint as to what it might be. But Granny stands firm, and to distract him, she suggests he participate in a variety of pre-Christmas activities. In this simple story mostly about two people (er, birds), this is where the rest of the Sesame Street gang comes in.

Several of the major Muppets from the show have a place in this book, which is colorfully illustrated by Joe Ewers. Even though the characters are two-dimensional, Ewers does a wonderful job of making them come to life on the page. The only one who looks a little unnatural is Maria, the only human featured in the book. Interestingly, a note on the title page makes a point of noting that Sonia Manzano portrays Maria on the show. She only turns up on one page and looks just a little out of place in this imaginative animated world, but she’s still clearly recognizable.

Of the Muppets, we get to see Snuffleupagus, who amusingly sits on Santa’s lap at the mall as dozens of youngsters of various hues look on, and Cookie Monster, who helps Big Bird make and consume Christmas cookies. Bert, Ernie, the Count and Oscar join Big Bird in his hunt for the perfect Christmas tree, each finding one ideal for himself (except the Count, who’s too busy counting trees). Afterward, they give him a hand in decorating, creating ornaments that reflect their personalities.

This is a cute book that shows children the importance of patience in preparing for Christmas and offers several tips for things that they can do to make the days go by more quickly. Its emphasis on helping one’s friends appreciate the joys of the season is endearing, as is the focus upon giving rather than receiving. Waiting for Christmas may not be easy, but Big Bird, with a little help from his friends and his beloved grandmother, sets a good example.