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		LETTRES DE DÉCEMBRE 1944 ALAIN M. BERGERON ILLUSTRATIONS: JULES PRUD'HOMME SAINT-LAURENT, QUEBEC: ÉDITIONS PIERRE TISSEYRE, 2004. 51 P. (SÉSAME; 63) ISBN 2890518590 AGES 7 TO 9
Lettres de décembre 1944 Source

Inspired by the real-life experiences of soldier Armand Boily in 1944, this special Christmas story focuses on a series of letters sent to Santa Claus by nine-year-old Thérèse Perrault.

The family has not heard from her older brother Richard for three months, and her parents fear he has been killed at the front. In despair, the little girl sends Santa Claus four letters in quick succession, between December 10 and 12, appealing for his help. The only present she asks for is news of her brother.

The fifth and final missive, dated December 25, is a thank-you letter that reveals the story's happy ending. Sometimes, listening carefully can be the prelude to one of life's happy surprises.

The simple illustrations created by Jules Prud'homme capture the atmosphere of the period and the emotions experienced by the characters in Lettres de décembre 1944.

-JMB