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Tully’s big Christmas mess is just one more reminder of the mess Jesus came to fix at the very first Christmas.
Tully’s Christmas Mess by Jill and Paul Miller, illustrated by Jonty Howley. New Growth Press, 2025. 32 pages.
- Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
- Recommended For: Ages 0-8
All Tully (the dog) wants to do is join in the Christmas fun: first, Tully’s family gets their tree! Then they decorate it. Then it’s time for fun food, opening presents, and all the things. Every time Tully tries to join in, he’s told, “No Tully…. You will make a mess.”
On Christmas Day, after playing in the snow, Tully goes to look at the Christmas tree ornaments again. And then he drinks from the bowl of water under the tree. And then he walks around the tree again…. Uh oh! He still had his leash on…. And now, Tully did indeed make a mess.
Not to worry, though. Tully’s family isn’t mad. Instead, Tully’s Christmas mess becomes an object lesson about the real mess in our lives that Jesus came to clean up.
This is a sweet story with a clear teaching point. It will work better as a Sunday school read aloud, perhaps, than a bedtime read aloud. But the message is a good one, and the back matter includes more resources for parents and educators. Most children love cute dog stories, so Tully’s adventures provide a great hook.
Considerations: none
Bottom Line: A cute reminder of the reason Jesus came to earth in the first place!
Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader
- Book Review: The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza by David Shannon is a great story of (earthly) reconciliation.
- Book Review: You may also be interested in Twelve Classic Christmas Stories – an anthology with tales from famous classic authors.
- Resource: Gladys Hunt (author of Honey for a Child’s Heart) has thoughts – and recommendations – on Christmas books.
You may purchase Tully’s Christmas Mess from amazon.
As with many of the books we review, we received a free copy of this from the publisher in return for a fair, unbiased review.
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