MY CHRISTMAS WISH FOR YOU

Abundant Christmas wishes from the narrator to readers drive this simple picture book with a small trim size.

The rhyming text introduces the stars on Christmas Eve as wishes “come true for those who believe.” Three children, two with brown skin and one with beige, and their orange cat look out a window together at the sky full of twinkling stars over their snow-covered house lined with Christmas lights. Wearing what appear to be pajamas, the children then run downstairs toward the Christmas tree, with decorations in hand, as the text begins to list “a handful [of wishes] that I wish for you.” The rhythmic, rhyming phrases, one or two per page, highlight Christmas delights like “Christmas tree baubles, gold angels and bells,” as well as more-general winter pleasures such as “mittens and snowballs, snow angels and boots.” The three children and their cat play outside with neighbors, throwing snowballs and sledding down a steep hill, before enjoying hot chocolate, singing with community, thinking of Santa, and snuggling up with stories in bed. The gifts the characters give one another are represented by hearts and stars, with “the joy of giving” as one of the narrator’s wishes for readers. The text is a pleasure to read, with its emphasis on the joy of experiencing the season with loved ones. The scratchy, minimalist illustrations bring just enough playful, childish energy to carry one through the quick read. The community is multiracial; Santa is White.

Lovely sentiments in a Christmas-card–sized package.