Dandi Daley Mackall has written over 400 books.  Following one family's holiday travels, "17 Christmases" puts a fresh, positive spin on all the busy activity that so often surrounds this season.

The family -- a mom, dad, 8-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter -- have 17 Christmas celebrations to attend. The book opens with them packing and wrapping and planning, then jumping in the car for their nationwide journey. In L.A. they toast lemonade instead of drinking hot chocolate. In Texas they take a Christmas Eve swim with seventy-two cousins! New York's Christmas is loud and busy, but full of diversity. They make stops in Colorado, Missouri, Ohio, and even Alaska! All told, they celebrate Jesus' birth in seventeen different states.

It's way past December when they finally return home. Even though the tree is dry and the fruitcake is moldy, they feel blessed and happy. As they turn in for the night, the son remembers their trip.

"I think of the Savior and climb into bed,
While visions of Christmases dance in my head.
I thank God for Jesus and family galore,
For seventeen Christmases -- never a chore."

Illustrated by Michele Noiset, the pages are filled with saturated colors and sweet characters. Each page highlights the geographical location with an artistic font while the pictures reveal unique characteristics of that place and Christmas there.