A Selection of Hallmark Ornaments: Children's Books and Stories

Written by
Donna R. BradenAndy Stupperich
Donna Braden is the curator of public life at The Henry Ford.
Andy Stupperich is an associate curator at The Henry Ford.
Hallmark "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" Christmas Ornament, 1994

Hallmark's ornaments — with their original designs, increasing variety, and appeal to diverse customers — have revolutionized holiday decorating and led to the popularity of ornament collecting. Stories and characters from classic books--some dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries--are frequent ornament topics. These stories have become timeless, and multiple generations of family members can enjoy their related ornaments together.

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Hallmark "Pat the Bunny" Christmas Ornament, 2001

Pat the Bunny has been a best-selling book in the United States since it was first published in 1940. Written and illustrated by Dorothy Kunhardt, the book provides babies and toddlers with a playful and engaging experience, inviting them to touch, feel, and interact with each page. The book creates special moments between parent and child and the wider world of books and stories.
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Hallmark "Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat: The Cat Arrives!" Christmas Ornament, 2003

Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) wrote and illustrated more than 60 children's books, including many popular and well-loved works. The Cat in the Hat, published in 1957, follows the rainy-day adventures of two children who are visited by the title character while their mother is away. Trouble ensues, and a mess is made throughout the house. All is put right in the end before the mother returns — but should the children tell?
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Hallmark "Dr. Seuss Books Series: Green Eggs and Ham" Christmas Ornament, 2002

In writing Green Eggs and Ham — published in 1960 as part of a series of “Beginner Books” to help children learn to read — Dr. Seuss challenged himself to use a mere 50 words, and only one of them ("anywhere") was more than one syllable!
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Hallmark "Adorable Adornments: Raggedy Ann" Christmas Ornament, 1975

Author and illustrator Johnny Gruelle created the Raggedy Ann doll for his daughter in 1915. Three years later, he wrote and illustrated Raggedy Ann Stories, introducing the red-headed ragdoll to children throughout America. In 1920, a sequel to the book introduced Raggedy Andy, Raggedy Ann's brother. The two mop-headed dolls became the subject of a series of books through the years.
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Hallmark "Paddington Bear" Christmas Ornament, 1986

British author Michael Bond was inspired to write A Bear Called Paddington in 1958 after finding a lone teddy bear on a shelf in a shop near Paddington Station, London. Paddington Bear, who always seemed to get into trouble no matter his good intentions, became a beloved and iconic character in more than 20 books and an animated TV series.
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Hallmark "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" Christmas Ornament, 1994

British author and illustrator Beatrix Potter privately published The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1901.The story revolves around a family of rabbits, a mother and her four children: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. Peter gets in trouble when he sneaks into farmer McGregor's vegetable patch — a place he was told not to go. Mr. McGregor tries to catch the scared rabbit, but Peter narrowly escapes, losing his coat and shoes.
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Hallmark "Madeline and Genevieve" Christmas Ornaments, 2002

Austrian-American author Ludwig Bemelmans wrote the first Madeline book in 1939. Madeline is the smallest of the girls at a boarding school in Paris, France. She is also the bravest and most daring — and some say a troublemaker. The book's colorful images and pleasing rhymes helped make Madeline a children's classic. Bemelmans wrote five follow-up sequels between 1953 and 1961.
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Hallmark "Winnie-the-Pooh Collection: Baby's First Christmas" Christmas Ornament, 2009

The first Winnie-the-Pooh story, written by British writer A. A. Milne, came out in 1926. The character of Winnie-the-Pooh, named after a teddy bear owned by his son Christopher Robin Milne, is a thoughtful, friendly, slow-witted, though sometimes clever bear. Characters based on other toy animals played with by Milne's son joined in the adventures.
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Hallmark "Madame Alexander Little Women Series: Josephine "Jo" March" Christmas Ornament, 2002

American author Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women in two volumes during 1868 and 1869. The story follows the lives of the four March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — as they grow into adulthood and question their place in the world. It became an immediate success and remains a beloved novel for many.
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