Finding Joy in “Sounding Joy” — A Holiday Favorite for Young Families
There’s something incredibly special about cozying up with my kids for bedtime stories, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Between the hustle of school activities and holiday preparations, sometimes we just need a quiet moment together. One evening, as we nestled into our reading nook, I pulled out Sounding Joy by Ellie Holcomb—a board book that promised to make us giggle and reflect as we prepared our hearts for Christmas.
Sounding Joy beautifully asks, "What does joy sound like?" through a delightful series of Christmas scenes, each filled with vivid imagery and warm language. It gracefully guides readers towards the conclusion that the true sound of joy is found in the angels singing of Jesus’s birth. As a family, we’ve been exploring the magic of Christmas through music, stories, and traditions, and this book resonated on so many levels.
I was struck by how engaging the illustrations are—each page burst with color and charm, capturing not only the whimsical nature of the holiday but also subtle moments that drew quite a few "oohs" and "ahhs" from my kiddos. My five-year-old pointed out the beautiful depictions of the Nativity, while my three-year-old was utterly captivated by the charming animals that accompany the story. We found ourselves stopping to admire the pictures, making up our own little stories about what might be happening in each scene.
Ellie Holcomb’s approach is so captivating. The rhythmic text feels like a gentle lullaby, and that really kept my children’s attention. They chimed in with joyful giggles at lines like "Does it sound like a kiss on your cheek?"—a truly sweet sentiment that perfectly encapsulated the warmth of our snug little reading corner. There was a moment when I asked them what joy sounded like to them, and I couldn’t help but smile. My three-year-old shouted, “Giggles!” while my five-year-old chimed in, “Mommy’s hugs!” It was one of those delightful conversation starters that filled our hearts with love.
To be honest, Sounding Joy has earned a special place on our family bookshelf. We’ve already read it multiple times since getting it, and I foresee it being a tradition we revisit as part of our holiday celebrations. It’s sturdy enough for little hands and beautifully crafted, making it a perfect gift for friends and family with young children too. This book isn’t just for seasoned Christians; it’s for families who want to explore the deeper meanings celebrated during the season. I highly recommend it to families with children ages 2-5, especially those who joyously blend music and storytelling into their lives.
In the whirl of everyday parenting, Sounding Joy made room for meaningful conversations under the glow of our fairy lights. For me, the book is a reminder of all the beautiful sounds of joy that fill our lives and hearts—laughter, cuddles, and those sweet, reverberating echoes of love that bind us together. I am so grateful Ellie Holcomb brought this joy-filled book into our lives, and I hope it brings as much warmth to your family as it has to ours.
