Sonderbooks Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

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*****= An all-time favorite
****  = Outstanding
***    = Above average
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*        = Good, with reservations

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****Christmas Tapestry

by Patricia Polacco

Reviewed December 7, 2002.
A Sonderbooks' Best Book of 2002 (#2, New Picture Books)
Philomel Books, New York, 2002.  48 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (E POL)

A special thank you to my friend Doris for first introducing me to Patricia Polacco’s wonderful books.

This is a beautiful story with a wonderful message.  Patricia Polacco took the story from one she heard twice preached in sermons, years apart.  Both times the story was said to be true.  Basically, it tells of a miraculous coincidence that happened at Christmas time.

It would be easy for such a story to seem overly sentimental or unbelievable, but Patricia Polacco tells it with exactly the right touch.  She focuses in on a boy, a preacher’s kid, who doesn’t understand why they should have to move from Tennessee to Detroit.  When a blizzard happens just before Christmas, the boy is convinced that their hard work on the church has been for nothing.  Why would God do such a thing?  Then the Christmas miracle is presented.  Both the boy and the reader can see God’s hand moving in the middle of a seemingly bad situation.

This is definitely for older picture book readers and listeners.  You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful Christmas story. 

Review of another book by Patricia Polacco:
The Art of Miss Chew
The Blessing Cup
In Our Mothers' House
Tucky Jo and Little Heart
Sticks and Stones

Copyright © 2005 Sondra Eklund.  All rights reserved.

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