Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

My first introduction to Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas was through Jim Henson's underrated 1977 TV special (a Christmas tradition in our house when I was growing up). This charming movie was based on the 1971 picture book by Russell and Lillian Hoban (the same couple who created Bread and Jam for Frances). After being out of print for some time, Emmet is finally back in this brand new edition for the next generation of fans. Times are hard for the residents of Frogtown Hollow, and when Ma and Emmet Otter hear about a talent show with a $50 cash prize, each one imagines using the money to buy the other a proper Christmas gift. Emmet wants to join his friends in a jugband on the washtub bass, but he'd need to punch a hole in the washtub Ma uses for her laundry business. Ma has the prettiest voice on the riverbank, but in order to buy material for a dress she'd need to hawk the tool chest Emmet uses for odd jobs. Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is a refreshingly down-to-earth celebration of taking chances and relying on one another. (Age 4 and up)