ASHER'S CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE
by Cindy J. Vanous
Left alone on Christmas Eve, a dog tries to make his own fun in Vanous’ picture book.
In the McConniel home, everyone is eagerly preparing to visit Grandma Helen for Christmas. Asher, the family dog, is excited for Mom’s gingerbread cookies and wants to be there for young Karen Sue as she reads aloud to the family for the first time. However, when it’s time to head out to Grandma’s, the family leaves Asher behind. Despondent at spending Christmas Eve alone, he explores his neighborhood in the hope of finding company. Squirrels mock him, cats scratch him, and chickens scare him away, and Asher concludes, “All I really want for Christmas is to be with my family.” He goes in search of Grandma’s house, but he gets lost after hours of walking. Vanous’ debut picture book features classic hallmarks of Christmas stories, including a vintage 1950s American aesthetic embodied by Bayramoglu’s full-color cartoon illustrations, as well as a surprise rescuer who takes Asher back home before the family even realizes that the dog had gone on a journey. However, the narrative fails to deliver an effectively poignant message amid its tales of adventure. The images are also uneven, as the repetitive backgrounds often lack detail.
A festive but underdeveloped holiday tale for pet-loving youngsters.