Christmas Folk

The little-known traditions and folklore of Christmas as it was celebrated long ago come to life again in this joyful book, grace by Natalia Belting's rich poetry and aglow with Barbara Cooney's superb illustrations. Natalia Belting has carefully researched the Christmas folklore of the Elizabethan period and describes in beautiful poetry such marvelous entertainments as mumming, in which children dressed in masks and costumes to perform a play for the holiday season; wassailing, the merry practice of going about from house to house, singing carols for a reward of spicy drinks and hot food; and a variety of other customs, beliefs, and tales that were and important part of Christmas holidays from November 30 (St. Andrew's Day) to January 5 (Twelfth Night). Natalia Belting's highly individual blank-verse style is complemented by Barbara Cooney's accurate, detailed Elizabethan illustrations to make Christmas Folk as high-spirited as the lively mummers of old.