McKissack, Patricia C

Christmas in the big house, Christmas in the quarters - New York : Scholastic, 1994. - 68 p. : col. ill. ; 29 cm.

Contents:
Christmas is coming ... --
In the big house ... --
And in the Quarters ... --
Getting ready for the big times --
Deck the halls --
Christmas eve-a very busy day --
Gloria in Excelsis Deo --
Pattin' the Juba --
Christmas gift --
All day it's Christmas --
Rise up, shepherd, an' foller --
We wear the mask on New Year's eve --
First day --
Looking back. Recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award. Includes notes and bibliography.

Describes the customs, recipes, poems, and songs used to celebrate Christmas in the big plantation houses and in the slave quarters just before the Civil War. Moving deftly between two worlds, this beautifully illustrated book is a rich, historic tale of Christmastime on a Virginia plantation just before the Civil War. Full color. The year is 1859, and it's Christmastime on a Virginia Plantation. The slaves are setting up the Big House - where their masters live - for the festivities. The Big House is filled with warmth, colorful decorations, and delicious food... but there is talk of war and a sense that times may be changing. In the quarters - where the slaves live - conditions are poor, dirty, and cold, but the slaves are filled with hope for better times ahead, and they sing songs of freedom.

ISBN: 0590430289

Subjects--Topical Terms:
Plantation life -- Southern States -- History -- 19th century -- Juvenile literature.
Christmas -- Southern States -- History -- 19th century -- Juvenile literature.
Slaves -- Southern States -- Social conditions -- Juvenile literature.