Amos and Amelie are Waiting for Christmas

By Eva Markert

December is here! For Amelie and her cousin Amos, it is a time of anticipation. The first snow is falling, candles are being lit and cookies being baked, the whole house is decorated for Christmas. St. Nicholas is coming and they have to finish their wish lists in time. But not everything always goes smoothly...

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Jul 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667407340

Book preview

Adults, Children, and Snow

When Amelie wakes up this morning, it is strangely bright in her room. Not like during the day or when the sun is shining. Through the gap between the curtains, she sees that the sky is dark. Yet a strange pale light is coming into the room.

It is quiet outside. Much quieter than usual.

Amelie has an idea why that could be. She tiptoes to the window on her bare feet so as not to wake Maya, who is sleeping in her crib.

She guessed right. Outside, everything is white.

It snowed! she yells joyfully. Startled, she puts her hand over her mouth.

Too late. Maya is awake.

Maya, guess what? It snowed! she repeats.

Of course, she can't understand what Amelie is saying. But she notices that her big sister is happy. So she is excited too. She squeals and hops up and down in her crib.

Mum comes in. Oh, you're both already awake, she says. I was just about to wake you up.

Did you see that it snowed? Amelie said excitedly.

Yes, I did.

It doesn't sound as if Mum were happy.

Don't you think snow is great? Amelie asks.

On the one hand, yes, Mum replies. Snow in the garden looks pretty. But on the other hand, I don't like the greyish-black piles of snow on the side of the road so much.

Amelie looks out of the window again. The snow on the roofs and cars looks like fluffy bonnets. Tree branches are white. You can see a few cars' tire tracks on the street, a few footprints on the pavement.

There are no greyish-black piles of snow, Amelie says.

Not yet, replies Mum. Just wait and see how the street will look in a few hours.

Dad comes in. He already has his coat on.

Dad, do you think that the snow will stick? Amelie asks.

I'm afraid so. It's cold enough.

Why are you afraid of that?

Crazy stuff always happens out in the streets when it snows. There are traffic jams because people only drive forward slowly and there are a lot of accidents because the roads are slippery. That's why I'd rather leave early.

He gives everyone a kiss.

Take care of yourself! Mum says.

Amelie thinks it's strange that Mum warns Dad to take care. She usually only says that to her.

She is looking forward to going to nursery school. It's so much fun trudging through the snow!

Unfortunately, that isn't happening today. As they step out the front door, there is hardly any snow on most of the pavement. Instead, they have to walk across little snow bumps. People swept in front of their doors, and the snow is piled up on the side of the road.

Are those the piles of snow you mean? asks Amelie.

Mum nods.

Those aren't greyish-black at all.

If enough cars drive by them, they will be.

Why do people even get rid of snow? Amelie inquired.

That's the rule. So that no one slips and falls.

That's silly! Amelie says loudly. It's much easier to walk on thick snow. People fall much more easily on these uneven little ice patches. Besides, snow looks prettier.

How glad do you think I am that I don't have to plough through deep snow with Maya's stroller, Mum replies. Besides, if enough people walk over it, the snow becomes hard-packed. And then it becomes slick.

Amelie thinks about what her parents said this morning. Could it be that adults think about snow differently than children? That they don't like snow and only children are excited?

That can’t be quite right because the nursery school teachers think snow is great, even though they are grown up. However, they don't think exactly like children. Before the Sun Group goes out onto the playground, Ms. Sheffer specifically warns everyone that they may not slide on the ice. Above all, they shouldn't throw any snowballs.

Oh boy! Amelie thinks. Then what is the snow even there for?

She steps on the snow a bit hard and carefully tests whether you could slide if you were allowed. It seems to work. Before she knows it, Ms. Sheffer calls