As someone who's taught piano to beginners for years, I was thrilled to try out the WP223 Christmas Songs book from Bastien's Piano Basics series. Let me tell you, this collection is like a cozy musical sweater for the holiday season!

The arrangements strike that perfect balance between being accessible for level 3 students while still maintaining musical integrity. I've used this with several students now, and seeing their faces light up when they recognize 'Deck the Halls' or 'Silent Night' is absolutely priceless.

One thing I particularly appreciate is how the book maintains educational value while being fun. The fingerings are well-marked, and the page turns are thoughtfully placed - something we teachers notice! My students can typically learn 2-3 songs per week from this collection during December.

The only odd note? That unconventional 'Jingle Bells' arrangement mentioned in reviews is indeed... interesting. It's not bad, just unexpected - like getting fruitcake when you were expecting sugar cookies. But this minor quirk doesn't detract from the overall quality.

What makes this book special is how it builds confidence. The songs sound complete and satisfying even at this simplified level. I've watched shy students blossom when they could play recognizable holiday tunes for family gatherings.

If you're looking for a musical advent calendar of sorts - something that delivers daily small victories leading up to Christmas - this collection absolutely delivers. Just be prepared for enthusiastic requests to 'play one more!' at every lesson.