The All-I'll-Ever-Want-for-Christmas Doll
Oct 23, 2007
The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll
Written by Patricia McKissack
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Juvenile Fiction - Social Situations - Friendship
· Schwartz & Wade
· Hardcover · Ages 4-8
· September 11, 2007 · $16.99 · 978-0-375-83759-3 (0-375-83759-0)
I settled down with my small children and told them we were going to review this book together.
We were all cuddled up on the couch in the "fancy room" with the new puppy laying on our feet and we were warm, fed and comfortable - and the first page really hit me.
"Our family had Christmas every year but Santy didn't always come."
Wow. Of course my kids immediately wanted that explained. Why couldn't their mom and dad and Santy bring them lots and lots of presents? How could Santy skip their house? And this starts the reasoning behind why this book is such a good lesson story for children.
The story is about three little girls during the depression down in the South. They're busy taking down the old yellowed newspaper from the chinks in the walls of their home and putting in new paper. They're excited about Christmas even if they don't get any gifts from Santy.
But the middle sister, Nella, has her heart on a Baby Betty doll that she sees in store windows and in magazine ads. She writes letters to Santy and prays to God hoping for this doll.
On Christmas morning there is a grand surprise! The girls all get paper bags of candy and oranges and nuts - more than usual! But then Daddy brings out one brand new Baby Betty Doll!
But...............
there's only one.
And here starts the story of learning to not be selfish and to share. Finding out how lonely it is when you are selfish.
This is a very nice book for the children and I do highly recommend it. The artwork is wonderfully done, making it a joy to look at also.
Labels: Children's Holiday Book
