What are the characteristics of classic Christmas children's novels?

Classic Australian children's novels often feature the unique Australian landscape. For example, the bush, deserts, and unique animals like kangaroos and koalas are common elements. They also tend to have a sense of adventure, like in 'Dot and the Kangaroo' where the little girl has an adventure in the bush.

Classic girls' children's novels usually have rich emotional descriptions. Take 'A Little Princess' as an example. Sara's feelings of loss, hope, and kindness are vividly portrayed. The settings are often idyllic or charming, such as the Swiss Alps in 'Heidi'. These novels also promote positive values. In 'Pollyanna', the title character's optimistic view of life is something to be admired. They are written in a way that is accessible to young readers but also has depth for them to grow into.

The characters in top classic children's novels are often relatable to children. In 'Anne of Green Gables', Anne's emotions and dreams are something that many children can identify with. These novels also tend to have a certain charm that can stand the test of time. 'Heidi' has the charm of the Swiss Alps and the simple but warm - hearted life there. And they often encourage children to use their imagination, like 'A Wrinkle in Time' which takes readers on a wild journey through different dimensions.

Well, 'The Little Drummer Boy' is a great classic children's Christmas story. It's about a poor boy who has no gift for the baby Jesus but offers to play his drum. 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas!' is also well - known. The Grinch tries to steal Christmas from the Whos but then has a change of heart. And of course, there's 'Frosty the Snowman', a story about a magical snowman.

Simple language. Classic children's realistic fiction usually uses language that kids can easily understand. For example, in 'The Boxcar Children', the words are straightforward. Another characteristic is relatable characters. Like in 'Ramona Quimby, Age 8', Ramona is a character that many kids can see themselves in. And it often has a moral or lesson, like in 'Charlotte's Web' where it teaches about friendship and sacrifice.

Many of these stories use repetition. In 'There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly', the repeated lines like 'I don't know why she swallowed the fly' are very catchy. This repetition makes the story engaging for children and adds to the humor as the old lady swallows more and more absurd things.

The characters in classic German children's stories are often complex. For instance, in 'The Fisherman and His Wife', the wife is both greedy and ambitious. The stories also typically have a plot that builds up suspense. In 'Rumpelstiltskin', the girl is in a race against time to figure out the little man's name. And they are rich in cultural details specific to Germany, which can give children an understanding of German culture and traditions.

They often have strong religious undertones. Since Christmas has religious origins, many stories in Germany include elements related to the birth of Jesus. For instance, the story of the Nativity is a common one.

One popular classic children's Christmas story is 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve and has a change of heart. Another is 'The Night Before Christmas', which describes Santa Claus's visit to a house on Christmas Eve. And 'Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer' is also a well - loved story about a reindeer with a shiny red nose who overcomes being an outcast and helps Santa on a foggy Christmas night.

One common theme is the spirit of giving. For example, in 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge learns to be more giving. Another theme is kindness, like in 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' where the Grinch discovers kindness. Also, magic is a big theme, as seen in 'The Polar Express' with its magical train journey.