A Christmas story about an overly naïve boy with a distinctive historical setting.
The meaning of Christmas flourishes amid oppression in this children’s book.
Set during the French Revolution, this story (enhanced with digital illustrations by West) details the conflict’s religious persecution through the eyes of a pale-skinned child named Jacques. Jacques and his family are heading to town to see the Nativity scene put up at the cathedral. But when they arrive, they discover that a soldier is standing guard and they are told that there are no religious celebrations allowed within—just banquets and balls. Dejected, Jacques wonders aloud to his father how there can be a Christmas at all this year, to which his parent responds: “By helping someone else remember the Christ Child.” Inspired by his father’s words, Jacques begins to sculpt his own little Nativity set, beginning with the Holy Family and then extending his figures to include his neighbors: an older man gathering sticks and his dead wife (depicted as an angel), a shepherd and his sheep, and a milkmaid. Jacques also strikes up an odd relationship with the guard at the cathedral, bringing him little gifts to help keep him cozy and comfortable. The soldier eventually warms to Jacques’ attention and celebrates Christmas with the boy’s family. The tale is followed by a brief, useful history of religious oppression during the Revolution as well as intriguing information about the tradition of homemade Nativity figurines, called santons. Jacques is too saccharine to feel like a real child living during a time of turmoil, his wholesome credulity feeling forced. But the vivid historical setting and theme help to lend interest to his tale. This would be a good introduction to conversations about the history of religious persecution of all kinds.
A Christmas story about an overly naïve boy with a distinctive historical setting.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 62
Publisher: Clean Kind World Books
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Not enough tricks to make this a treat.
Another holiday title (How To Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Elkerton, 2017) sticks to the popular series’ formula.
Rhyming four-line verses describe seven intrepid trick-or-treaters’ efforts to capture the witch haunting their Halloween. Rhyming roadblocks with toolbox is an acceptable stretch, but too often too many words or syllables in the lines throw off the cadence. Children familiar with earlier titles will recognize the traps set by the costume-clad kids—a pulley and box snare, a “Tunnel of Tricks.” Eventually they accept her invitation to “floss, bump, and boogie,” concluding “the dance party had hit the finale at last, / each dancing monster started to cheer! / There’s no doubt about it, we have to admit: / This witch threw the party of the year!” The kids are diverse, and their costumes are fanciful rather than scary—a unicorn, a dragon, a scarecrow, a red-haired child in a lab coat and bow tie, a wizard, and two space creatures. The monsters, goblins, ghosts, and jack-o'-lanterns, backgrounded by a turquoise and purple night sky, are sufficiently eerie. Still, there isn’t enough originality here to entice any but the most ardent fans of Halloween or the series. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Not enough tricks to make this a treat. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-72821-035-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: May 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
